Yes, that's the sound I've been making with my thumbs while I wait for financier and actor news from my two megablockbuster producers on our project "Panzer 88".
"Wait!", I hear you cry. "Yes, we know you have legendary 'Star Wars' producer Gary Kurtz making your movie with you, but you say there's another? Pray, spill!" Indeed there is. We have a new addition to the team. And I may tell you. Perhaps next time…
Moving on: in sad news, on August 24th British cinematographer Gil Taylor, who lensed such movies I enjoy as "Ice Cold In Alex"; "Dr Strangelove"; "The Bedford Incident"; "Repulsion"; "Frenzy", "The Omen"; "Dracula"; and some little thing called..."Star Wars"...died, aged 99.
It's sad to lose one of the guys from the Old School (you know, who used film negative stock instead of digital codecs), but he left behind a legacy I for one will continue to enjoy.
The news of Taylor's passing came, ironically, 24 hours on the heels later from an announcement that cinematographer Dan Mindel (J.J. Abrams' go-to guy) would be filming the new "Star Wars" Episode VII…on film, as opposed to the digital route that Mr Lucas elected to go with "Attack Of The Clones" and "Revenge Of The Sith". (The news was leaked from a meeting at the American Society of Cinematographers clubhouse, and was apparently greeted with cheers from the assembled pros there.)
As a continuing stalwart and evangelist for the superiority of film-captured imagery, I was thrilled by this announcement, but the cynic in me is waiting to see how much of this is simply feel-good publicity sop to generate positive karma for the new trilogy.
Time will tell…
And in other announcements, Ben Affleck is Bruce Wayne!
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