RIP Gordon Willis

[Stuart Brereton]

Very sad news, via Doug Hart, that Gordon Willis has passed away, apparently from cancer. A huge influence on me, and many, many other DPs

 

A huge loss. Rest in Peace, Gordon.

[James Steven Beverly]

Ah, really!!? what a shame! I wasn'even aware he was ill. Conrad Hall called him "The Prince of Darkness" for his work on The Godfather movies and he truly was in the most wonderful way. His lighting MADE that film cinematically and I've tried to emulate his work every chance I get. His term "Dumptruck Editing" was inspirional to me for showing how important having a vision to a director really is and help define the problems of the modern Hollywood system. I morn his passing. He was one of my most favorite cinematographers and I would have killed to have a genius like that on my set. I'll miss his inspiration and work.

Edited May 19, 2014 by James Steven Beverly

[Gregory Irwin]

What a great cinematographer and a great man. He will be missed.

[Emanuel A Guedes]

We all owe him his vision. Without his contribution, today's cinema would be another one.

 

E.

[Nicolas Courdouan]

I am sorry to read this. A truly great artist and an endless source of inspiration.

 

My heart goes out to his family and friends.

[Kevin Grossett]

This man was extremely inspirational to me through his work, but also his thoughts on filmmaking in general.

 

Rest in peace, Mr Willis.

[timHealy]

Got a chance to work for him once in the early 90's. The older technicians (at the time) and electricians really revered and respected him unlike I have not quite seen since.

 

His work was awesome, but at times I think many try to replicate it and they never really get it. I always though his work affects jobs in NY in an interesting way where baylights are often used as a standard. The few times I have worked in LA, I don't see baylights nearly as much. But my time in LA is relatively short.

 

Best

 

Tim

[Bill DiPietra]

I had no idea until I saw this thread. A very inspirational artist who truly let his work speak for itself.

 

He will be missed by many.

[Kieran Scannell]

He led the way for so many Cinematographers.He was a true artist! I wish I could have met and talked with him.

[cole t parzenn]

Very sad. I don't like most cinematography but I liked his.

[Tim Carroll]

He really was an inspiration. His work on "Manhattan" has influence my still photography as well. A great artist. He will be missed.

[Brian Drysdale]

A great cinematographer from a time when Hollywood also made intelligent films.

 

An interview with him:

 

[Jon Rosenbloom]

Certainly he was a genius, with an artist's eye, but also - from what I gather from his various interviews (like the one above) - rather a practical, down to earth fellow. (Ask some older technicians what Gordon meant by "Cape Cod Lighting.)

[victor huey]

I remember Gordon asking Bobby Ward, his Key Grip to have us build him these home made lights called bay lights, he said no more chicken coops for me.....lol,...i must have made thousands over the years since then.