Michael Chapman

Former camera operator and assistant to cinematographer Gordon Willis who has worked several times with Philip Kaufman and whose crisp, powerful images proved integral to several Martin Scorsese pictures, most notably the gritty black-and-white of "Raging Bull" (1980) and the atmospheric, intense neon color of nighttime New York in "Taxi Driver" (1976). As a director, Chapman has been less effective, though "All the Right Moves" (1983) enjoyed some success. His next directorial effort, "The Clan of the Cave Bear" (1986), may well have been the first feminist cave woman movie but many found it laughable. Chapman continued working as director of photography for mainstream big-budget films like "Kindergarten Cop" (1990), culminating in his Oscar nomination for the cinematography of "The Fugitive" (1993) and his inclusion in the acclaimed documentary on "the art of cinematography," "Visions of Light" (1992).

  • Born:
    November 21, 1935 in New York City, New York, USA
  • Job Titles:
    Director of photography, Director, Camera operator
Milestones
  • 1970 Served as assistant/camera operator for cinematographer Gordon Willis on The Godfather , Klute , End of the Road and The Landlord
  • 1973 First film as director of photography, The Last Detail
  • 1983 Feature film directing debut, All the Right Moves
  • Began career working on documentaries in NYC

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