Michael Chapman

Born:21 de noviembre de 1935

Place of Birth:New York City, New York, USA

Died:20 de septiembre de 2020

Known For:Camera

Biography

Michael Chapman was a legendary American cinematographer and film director whose work left an indelible mark on the film industry. Born on November 21, 1935, his talent behind the camera was unmatched, earning him widespread recognition and acclaim. Throughout his career, Chapman collaborated with some of the most iconic directors of his time, including the likes of Martin Scorsese and Ivan Reitman, cementing his status as a cinematographer of unparalleled skill and vision.

Chapman's contributions to the American New Wave of the 1970s and 1980s were instrumental in shaping the visual language of cinema during that era. His keen eye for detail and ability to capture raw emotion on film set him apart as a true master of his craft. With over forty feature films to his credit, Chapman's body of work stands as a testament to his artistry and dedication to his craft.

Working closely with directors like Martin Scorsese, Chapman brought a unique visual style to each project, enhancing the storytelling and bringing characters to life on screen in a way that few others could. His collaborations with Scorsese on films such as "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull" are widely regarded as some of the most visually stunning works in cinematic history.

In addition to his work with Scorsese, Chapman's partnership with Ivan Reitman yielded equally impressive results, showcasing his versatility and adaptability as a cinematographer. Whether capturing the grittiness of urban landscapes or the comedic chaos of slapstick comedy, Chapman's cinematography always added depth and nuance to the stories being told on screen.

Beyond his technical prowess, Chapman's ability to evoke mood and atmosphere through his use of light and shadow set him apart as a true artist behind the camera. His films were not just visual experiences but emotional journeys that resonated with audiences on a profound level.

Throughout his career, Chapman's impact on the film industry was immeasurable, influencing generations of cinematographers and directors who followed in his footsteps. His legacy lives on in the countless iconic images he created and the lasting impression he left on the world of cinema.

On September 20, 2020, the film world mourned the loss of a true visionary with the passing of Michael Chapman. Though he may no longer be with us, his work continues to inspire and captivate audiences, ensuring that his legacy will endure for years to come. Michael Chapman may have left this world, but his cinematic legacy will forever remain etched in the annals of film history.

Images

Filmografía

Actuación

The Abyss

Dr. Berg

1989

A civilian oil rig crew is recruited to conduct a search and rescue effort when a nuclear submarine mysteriously sinks. One diver soon finds himself on a spectacular odyssey 25,000 feet below the ocean's surface where he confronts a mysterious force that has the power to change the world or destroy it.

Six Days Seven Nights

Mechanic

1998

In the South Pacific island of Makatea, career-driven magazine editor Robin Monroe is on a week-long vacation getaway with her boyfriend, Frank Martin. An emergency work assignment in neighboring Tahiti requires Robin to hire the cantankerous pilot Quinn Harris who had flown them to Makatea on a small transport plane. While flying, a powerful storm forces Quinn to make an emergency landing on a nearby deserted island. The dissimilar pair avoid each other at first, until they're forced to team up to escape from the island -- and some pirates who want their heads.

Evolution

Sheriff Long

2001

A comedy that follows the chaos that ensues when a meteor hits the Earth carrying alien life forms that give new meaning to the term "survival of the fittest." David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, Seann William Scott, and Julianne Moore are the only people standing between the aliens and world domination... which could be bad news for the Earth.

Kindergarten Cop

Firefighter

1990

Hard-edged cop John Kimble gets more than he bargained for when he goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher to get the goods on a brutal drug lord while at the same time protecting the man's young son. Pitted against a class of boisterous moppets whose antics try his patience and test his mettle, Kimble may have met his match … in more ways than one.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Health Dept. Floor Cleaner (uncredited)

1978

The residents of San Francisco are becoming drone-like shadows of their former selves, and as the phenomenon spreads, two Department of Health workers uncover the horrifying truth.

The Howling

Man at End of Bar (uncredited)

1981

After a bizarre and near fatal encounter with a serial killer, a newswoman is sent to a rehabilitation center whose inhabitants may not be what they seem.

Rising Sun

Fred Hoffman

1993

When a prostitute is found dead in a Los Angeles skyscraper occupied by a large Japanese corporation, detectives John Connor and Web Smith are called in to investigate. Although Connor has previous experience working in Japan, cultural differences make their progress difficult until a security disc showing the murder turns up. Close scrutiny proves the disc has been doctored, and the detectives realize they're dealing with a cover-up as well.

The Last Detail

Taxi Driver

1973

Two Navy men are ordered to bring a young offender to prison, but decide to show him one last good time along the way.

Doc Hollywood

Shooting Gallery Operator

1991

After leaving Washington D.C. hospital, plastic surgeon Ben Stone heads for California, where a lucrative practice in Beverly Hills awaits. After a car accident, he's sentenced to perform as the community's general practitioner.

The Story of Us

Waiter

1999

Ben and Katie Jordan are a married couple who go through hard times in fifteen years of marriage.

Producción

The Godfather

Camera Operator

1972

Spanning the years 1945 to 1955, a chronicle of the fictional Italian-American Corleone crime family. When organized crime family patriarch, Vito Corleone barely survives an attempt on his life, his youngest son, Michael steps in to take care of the would-be killers, launching a campaign of bloody revenge.

Jaws

Camera Operator

1975

When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town's chief of police, a young marine biologist, and a grizzled hunter embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again.

Taxi Driver

Director of Photography

1976

A mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran works as a night-time taxi driver in New York City where the perceived decadence and sleaze feed his urge for violent action.

Ghostbusters II

Director of Photography

1989

Having lost their status and credibility five years after covering New York City with gooey roasted marshmallows in Ghostbusters (1984), the city's former heroes and once-popular spirit-hunters struggle to keep afloat, forced to work odd jobs. However, when Dana and her baby have yet another terrifying encounter with the paranormal, it is up to Peter Venkman and his fearless team of supernatural crime fighters to step up and save the day. Once more, humankind is in danger, as rivers of slimy psycho-reactive ectoplasm, paired with the dreadful manifestation of evil sixteenth-century tyrant Vigo the Carpathian, threaten to plunge the entire city into darkness. Is the world ready to believe? Can the Ghostbusters save us for the second time?

Space Jam

Director of Photography

1996

With their freedom on the line, the Looney Tunes seek the help of NBA superstar Michael Jordan to win a basketball game against a team of moronic aliens.

The Lost Boys

Director of Photography

1987

When an unsuspecting town newcomer is drawn to local blood fiends, the Frog brothers and other unlikely heroes gear up to rescue him.

The Fugitive

Director of Photography

1993

Wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to death, Richard Kimble escapes from the law in an attempt to find the real killer and clear his name.

Six Days Seven Nights

Director of Photography

1998

Evolution

Director of Photography

2001

Kindergarten Cop

Director of Photography

1990

The Watcher

Director of Photography

2000

FBI agent Joel Campbell, burnt-out and shell-shocked after years spent chasing serial killers, flees L.A. to begin a new life for himself in Chicago. But five months later, Joel's best laid plans are abruptly cut short when his new hometown becomes the setting for some particularly gruesome murders--murders that could only have been committed by one man: David Allen Griffin. One of Joel's most elusive and cunning nemeses, Griffin has followed his former pursuer to Chicago in order to play a sadistic game of cat and mouse. Taunting Joel with photographs of his intended victims and leaving his crime scenes meticulously free of clues in order to keep the police at bay, Griffin derives as much pleasure out of watching Joel react to every movement as watching his victims die. But when Griffin moves into Joel's inner circle, Joel must quickly find some way to stop him before someone close to him becomes the next one to die.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Director of Photography

1978

The residents of San Francisco are becoming drone-like shadows of their former selves, and as the phenomenon spreads, two Department of Health workers uncover the horrifying truth.

Scrooged

Director of Photography

1988

Frank Cross is a wildly successful television executive whose cold ambition and curmudgeonly nature has driven away the love of his life. But after firing a staff member on Christmas Eve, Frank is visited by a series of ghosts who give him a chance to re-evaluate his actions and right the wrongs of his past.

Rising Sun

Director of Photography

1993

Quick Change

Director of Photography

1990

With the aid of his girlfriend, Phyllis Potter, and best friend, Loomis, Grimm enters a Manhattan bank dressed as a clown, creates a hostage situation and executes a flawless robbery. The only thing left for the trio to do is make their getaway out of the city and to the airport. It sounds simple enough, but it seems that fate deserts them immediately after the bank heist. One mishap after another conspires to keep these robbers from reaching freedom.

The Last Detail

Director of Photography

1973

Two Navy men are ordered to bring a young offender to prison, but decide to show him one last good time along the way.

Klute

Camera Operator

1971

A high-priced call girl is forced to depend on a reluctant private eye when she is stalked by a psychopath.

Doc Hollywood

Director of Photography

1991

The Story of Us

Director of Photography

1999

Ben and Katie Jordan are a married couple who go through hard times in fifteen years of marriage.

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

Director of Photography

1982

Juliet Forrest is convinced that the reported death of her father in a mountain car crash was no accident. Her father was a prominent cheese scientist working on a secret recipe. To prove it was murder, she enlists the services of private eye Rigby Reardon. He finds a slip of paper containing a list of people who are 'The Friends and Enemies of Carlotta'.

The Man with Two Brains

Director of Photography

1983

A brain surgeon marries a femme fatale, causing his life to turn upside down. Things go more awry when he falls in love with a talking brain.

Hardcore

Director of Photography

1979

A conservative Midwest businessman ventures into the sordid underworld of pornography in search of his runaway teenage daughter who’s making hardcore films in the pits of Los Angeles.