August 1, 2025
Spotlight on THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY Cinematographers Tarin Anderson and Sandra Valde-Hansen
As the sun sets on the final season of THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY, cinematographers Tarin Anderson (AFI Class of 2004) and Sandra Valde-Hansen (AFI Class of 2006) reflect on how their collaboration shaped the show’s visual language. Their process – rooted in character perspective and honed through their shared experience coming out of the...
June 1, 2025
Spotlight on SINNERS Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw
With the highly anticipated release of SINNERS this month, acclaimed cinematographer and AFI Alum Autumn Durald Arkapaw (AFI Class of 2009), ASC, took us behind the scenes of her new project with director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan. Known for her luminous visuals and signature use of anamorphic lenses, Autumn has built a...
December 1, 2023
AFI Alumni Spotlight on HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Cinematographer Catherine Goldschmidt
With the Emmy Awards® right around the corner in January, we sat down with cinematographer Catherine Goldschmidt (AFI Class of 2009), BSC, who has been nominated by the Television Academy for shooting the episode “The Lord of the Tides” of the fantasy epic HOUSE OF THE DRAGON. Goldschmidt is the only woman nominated for Outstanding...
May 31, 2023
What is Cinematography and What Does a Cinematographer Do?
JUMP TO SECTION What is Cinematography? What does a Cinematographer do? Who becomes a Cinematographer? What are the career paths for Cinematographers? What is the Cinematography program at the AFI Conservatory film school? 10 Cinematography Terms to Know Recent Projects by AFI Conservatory Cinematography Alumni What is Cinematography? Cinematography is the art and craft of...
May 25, 2022
AFI Cinematography Head Stephen Lighthill Re-Elected President of ASC For Third Consecutive Year
For the third consecutive year, AFI Conservatory Cinematography Discipline Head Stephen Lighthill has been re-elected president of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC). This will be Lighthill's fourth term as president, having been elected in 2020 and serving his first term from 2012-2013. AFI Alumni Amy Vincent (AFI Class of 1991) was also re-elected as...
December 1, 2021
AFI Spotlight Interview With Robert Elswit
Robert Elswit (AFI Class of 1977) is one of the most versatile and dynamic cinematographers working today. Cutting his teeth as a visual effects camera operator on landmark films such as THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL, Elswit graduated with an MFA in Cinematography from AFI and transitioned to working as a full-time...
October 8, 2021
Spotlight Interview with AFI Faculty and Alum Michael Pessah
Michael Pessah (AFI Class of 2004) is not only an innovative and talented cinematographer in his own right, but also a proud AFI alum and current member of the Cinematography Faculty at AFI. He attended Hampshire College where he was a Kodak Cinematography Scholarship award finalist, and then earned an M.F.A. in cinematography at AFI....
October 1, 2021
Spotlight Interview with AFI Cinematography Faculty and Alum Michael Pessah
Michael Pessah (AFI Class of 2004) is not only an innovative and talented cinematographer in his own right, but also a proud AFI alum and current member of the Cinematography Faculty at AFI. He attended Hampshire College where he was a Kodak Cinematography Scholarship award finalist, and then earned an M.F.A. in cinematography at AFI....
May 25, 2021
AFI Cinematography Head Stephen Lighthill Re-Elected President of American Society of Cinematographers
AFI leadership continues to be prominent at the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC). AFI Conservatory Cinematography Discipline Head Stephen Lighthill has just been re-elected president of the ASC. This will be Lighthill’s third term as president, having been elected in 2020 and serving his first term from 2012-2013. AFI Alumni Amy Vincent (AFI Class of…
March 2, 2021
Catching up with MA BELLE, MY BEAUTY Cinematographer Lauren Guiteras (AFI Class of 2017)
MA BELLE, MY BEAUTY, shot by cinematographer and AFI alum Lauren Guiteras (AFI Class of 2017), is a transportive, cross-cultural love story set in the south of France, which follows the polyamorous relationship of Lane (Hannah Pepper), Bertie (Idella Johnson) and Fred (Lucien Guignard). Following its premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, MA BELLE,…
July 28, 2020
Watch: Cinematographer and Director Ernest Dickerson on Filmmaking
Ernest Dickerson established himself as a groundbreaking cinematographer on films such as SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT and DO THE RIGHT THING, and made his directing debut with JUICE, starring Omar Epps and Tupac Shakur. He went on to direct episodes of the critically acclaimed shows THE WIRE and THE WALKING DEAD and most recently directed…
June 19, 2020
Watch the AFI Conservatory Visual Essays Showcase
The AFI Conservatory Visual Essays Showcase celebrates three-minute shorts from the 2020 Cinematography graduates, all shot on motion picture film. The 35mm Visual Essay challenges Fellows to create a narrative through images and without dialogue. The productions feature the participation of Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting fellows, with Cinematography Fellows serving as lead...
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