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A night of light with Roger Deakins and the British Society of Cinematographers

John de Borman, President of the British Society of Cinematographers, in action.

Each night since last week’s screening of The Shawshank Redemption followed by Q&A with its cinematographer Roger Deakins put on by the British Society of Cinematographers, we have been musing on his words of wisdom and considering the power of light and the pivotal role of cinematography in film.

For the few who aren’t familiar with the gritty tale of prison life, The Shawshank Redemption is the 1994 American film drama adapted from Stephen King’s novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. Considered a box office flop when it was first released, it is now a celebrated classic and nothing short of a rare gem of 90s independent cinema.

Roger Deakins ASC BSC, has earned a reputation as one of the finest cinematic visionaries of his generation. His illustrious career has earned him a massive nine Oscar nominations among a multitude of other prestigious awards which run for four and a half pages on IMDB, so to hear the master in person was a treat indeed. Would you have considered that the hardest thing as a director of photography is to get continuity on a day exterior? Or that the warm lighting in the concert hall scene in O Brother Where Art Thou was created by using a strip of household bulbs of differing strength to create womb-like feel?

This was the fourth event hosted by the British Society of Cinematographers and marks a new moment in the BSC as it starts to open its doors to the film community with the launch of their new website www.bscine.com and the BSC Club. Under a new presidency of John de Borman, whose notable work includes Made in Dagenham, An Education, and The Full Monty, the BSC club will offer a chance for budding cinematographers and filmmakers to hear and learn from cinematographers at the top of their profession.

The next screening will be in September with Barry Ackroyd and Ralph Fiennes. Not to be missed. Keep an eye on planned events at: www.bscine.com & @BSCine