David Samuelson ASC BSC. RIP

[Jonathan Flanagan]

David Samuelson, a key figure in the British and international film industry passed away at the end of August aged 91. Brother of Sir Sydney Samuelson, Anthony and Michael, in addition to his career as a film cameraman he also helped run the legendary Samuelson's Film Services in the UK ( also known as Sammy's) which among many other things was the only supplier of Panavision cameras and equipment to film makers shooting in the UK for several decades before Panavision UK opened.

 

However, he was perhaps better known as a major innovator to the industry. He was the inventor/co-inventor of the Samcine inclining prism,CCTV for film cameras, the remote control system for the Louma Crane,Samcine MK2 Calculator,Samcine rigidised equipment cases, Mitchell BNC front projection conversion, dSam depth of field test chart and many more. His many awards included two ASC technical achievement awards for the depth of field calculator and the Cinematographers Computer programme. As well as the Academy Plaque ( with Jean-Marie Lavalou and Alain Masseron),in 1980 and the Technical Achievement Award for the development of the Louma Crane and Remote Control System for Motion Picture Production and the Cameraimage lifetime achievement award in 2006. He was also the author of a number of essential industry manuals on cinematography for Focal Press and contributing editor to the ASC magazine until 1983.

Edited December 16, 2015 by Jonathan Flanagan

[Satsuki Murashige]

Sad news. His 'Hands on Manual for Cinematographers' is an invaluable resource. I remember first hearing his name while looking for the Samcine Calculator when I was starting out. Ended up buying one from another camera assistant on this site. It's amazing to read about how large the Samcine empire was. Condolences to his family and friends.