The T Stop Inn

The career of Mark Bliss ACK unfolds like a cold war adventure novel with a daring escape from behind the iron curtain leading to starting over as a refugee in Australia and an incredible career in cinematography. Starting down under with music videos and commercials his work eventually lead him back to Europe where he has had an incredible run of work for over a decade, recently leading him to the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival.

In Part 1 of this special, Dean Semler AM ACS ASC explains how he got his start in the industry, his early experiences in TV and shooting documentaries and then the making of MAD MAX: ROAD WARRIOR, DEAD CALM, COCKTAIL, YOUNG GUNS, LONESOME DOVE, K9 and DANCES WITH WOLVES and shares some of the best things he learned along the way.

Steve Arnold ACS talks about his experience shooting the hit Aussie film "RAMS" with Sam Neill, Michael Caton and director Jeremy Sims.  Steve tells us about the process of testing and comparing the full range of Panavision Anamorphic lenses, creating custom LUT's for the film and how he works to get a much of the look as possible captured in camera.  

This episode was recorded with a live audience at the United Cinemas Opera Quays in Sydney as a special event with the NSW ACS.

Mihai Malaimare Jr is an extraordinarily talented Romanian cinematographer who has worked with some of the best directors in the world, including Francis Ford Coppola and Paul Thomas Anderson.  In this episode he talks about his work on JOJO RABBIT, how he collaborated with Taika Waititi and how he used an incredible quirk of mathematics to frame the film in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio while using anamorphic lenses.

Clara Chong and T STOP INN host Ben Allan ACS CSI respond to requests from film industry professionals around the world who are suddenly working from home because of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Talking through their experience over the last decade of simultaneously running a production company and raising a family by bringing more and more of the film making process, literally... "in-house".  Clara and Ben talk through the challenges and opportunities of working from home as film makers and how we can all make the most of the current situation.

Murray Lui brings his unique perspective to everything he shoots, coming from a tiny island in the Torres Straight and having developed a passion for classic cinematography techniques.  This mix combines with his technical skills and calm creativity to create the indelible imagery of TOP END WEDDING and ROSEHAVEN among many others.

John Seale continues his discussion about how to help actors do their best work, he explains the trick he's learned to make stars and directors want to work with you again and again and how to protect your future career when you're under pressure to get the shot.  He also talks about building technical confidence, how to work in service of the story and why he's coming out of retirement again next year.

Legendary cinematographer, John Seale talks about his early career as a highly sought after camera operator, then becoming Director of Photography and moving into the Hollywood system.  He shares behind the scenes stories of working with directors like Sydney Pollack, Peter Weir and George Miller along with stars like Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise and Charlize Theron.  John also explains his approach to lighting, composition and camera movement and how to help actors and directors do their best work.

President of The American Society of Cinematographers, Kees van Oostrum ASC talks about the organisation's 100th Anniversary and their vision for the future.  He talks in depth about the challenges and opportunities for cinematographers around the world including the issues around diversity, inclusion, education, ACES & the CDL, where we're at with cameras, lenses and display technology and his personal approach to the craft along with how the ASC is forging into the next hundred years, guided by the spirit of their motto... Loyalty. Progress. Artistry.

Mandy Walker ACS ASC talks about shooting the new live-action "MULAN" for Disney on the ALEXA 65, "HIDDEN FIGURES" on 35mm, collaborating with great directors like Niki Caro and Baz Luhrmann and how she prepares for a big film including camera and lens testing and  creating custom LUTs.

Mark Toia talks through step by step, how he became one of the most successful TV Commercial Directors in the world, constantly travelling the globe doing multimillion dollar ads.  Throughout his directing career, Mark has continued to be his own cinematographer initially on 35mm film and then making the transition to digital with RED.  He has now used that success to be able to make a feature film called "ROBOT 4" with total creative and technical control.

Fabian Wagner ASC BSC discusses his work on high end TV dramas including "Sherlock" & "The Crown" and he sets the record straight on his dark photography on "Game Of Thrones: The Long Night".

Ben Allan ACS CSI and FXGUIDE's Mike Seymour are at Apple WWDC 2019 to see the new Mac Pro and discuss the significance of this new machine and the associated technology.

In the wake of the global controversy about the extreme darkness of some scenes in episode 3 of the final season of HBO's "Game Of Thrones", Ben speaks to cinematographers and colorists to discuss the question that has been bothering the world...  How Dark Is Too Dark?

Shane Mario Ruggieri is the in house colorist at Dolby Laboratories in California.  He's one of the world's most knowledgable people on the subject of High Dynamic Range.  Shane speaks passionately about the technology and its creative potential.

Introducing The T-Stop Inn.