| dc.description.abstract | At no other point in film history has the cinematographer's status and authority been challenged more than today. Since the 1990s, an unprecedented number of disruptive digital technologies and workflow tools have impacted all levels of production: pre-production, principal photography, and post-production. This research addresses the following key questions: who is the 'author' of a film's visuals when most shots have been created, composed, and lit in a virtual environment with the help of previz, green screen, and/or CGI? How do cinematographers protect their work against unapproved image manipulation in post-production? How is the democratisation of filmmaking technology affecting aesthetic standards and, therefore, the cinematographer's relevance? Current literature on the subject is still relatively sparse, as these debates are mostly confined to trade publications (which often sugar-coat the issues due to the publishers' affiliations with the film industry) and practical textbooks (which primarily tackle these questions from a technical angle). On the other hand, academic publications that focus exclusively on cinematography are equally rare; more importantly, the information they offer is seldom gathered from first-hand industry sources. In order to help close the gap between theoretical literature and practical textbooks, this research includes new interviews with leading international cinematographers along with colourists, whose contributions have become increasingly important in modern filmmaking. Furthermore, this research examines the production of the feature film Grave Men (2019) as a case study, illustrating how accelerated schedules, shrinking budgets, and declining aesthetic standards are devaluating the cinematographer's contribution. As a result, it also demonstrates how disruptive technologies can help redefine the cinematographer's role in radical new ways. This PhD argues that in order for the profession to stay relevant, cinematographers must not only expand their traditional skillset but also re-examine the classic definition of their role as key visual engineers. | en_GB |
