May 22, 2026
BLUE VELVET (1986) – AFI Movie Club
Appearing on the American Film Institute’s lists of cinema’s greatest thrills and greatest villains, the strange and nightmarish narrative of BLUE VELVET (1986) was brought to the screen by director David Lynch and cinematographer Frederick Elmes – both alumni of the AFI Conservatory (Class of 1970 and 1972, respectively). Lynch has said that the creative...
April 22, 2021
AFI Movie Club: BLUE VELVET
Appearing on the American Film Institute’s lists of cinema’s greatest thrills and greatest villains, the strange and nightmarish narrative of BLUE VELVET was brought to the screen by writer/director David Lynch and cinematographer Frederick Elmes – both alumni of the AFI Conservatory. HOW TO WATCH Where to stream BLUE VELVET BLUE VELVET - Reelgood GET...
April 6, 2020
Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and Frederick Elmes on Filming HUNTERS and Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers
Growing up on the Texas/Mexico border in the ‘80s, director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon’s (AFI Class of 1995) first introduction to the work of legendary cinematographer Frederick Elmes (AFI Class of 1972) was a worn-out VHS tape of BLUE VELVET. Describing Elmes’ filmmaking as “hypnotic,” Gomez-Rejon continued his initiation with other films shot by Elmes – ERASERHEAD,…
April 25, 2017
AFI Honors Cinematographer Frederick Elmes
Celebrated cinematographer Frederick Elmes (AFI Class of 1972) will receive the 2017 Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal. This honor recognizes the extraordinary creative talents of an AFI alumnus or alumna who embodies the qualities of filmmaker Franklin J. Schaffner: talent, taste, dedication and commitment to quality storytelling in film and television.
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