Beautiful artistry on both sides of the camera

The title of this blog post is a quote from 33hirtz who commented on Danny Cooke's Vimeo page. I couldn't say it better myself...and I think you'll agree if you take a few minutes to watch several of the fine documentaries by this master cinematographer and story-teller. Cooke has an eye for composition and lighting, and his editing is superb. I'm pretty sure that he's shooting with a DSLR and he makes good use of selective focus. Note also his soundtracks and clever title sequences.

• Take a look at his documentary about glass blowing: OurGlass of Cockington
• Or this one about a artist who works in etched glass and gold leaf: David A Smith - Sign Artist
• Here's one about a salvage diver: Ray: A Life Underwater

Thanks to Tim Sparks for sending the links and for tipping me off to a great talent.

Morgan Spurlock on making documentaries

"I really believe that if you're going to spend two-plus years of your life, that's your reality. If you're going to make a documentary movie, that's your baby. You're married to that movie forever and you‛d better love that kid, you'd better think that's the most beautiful kid you could have ever made, because you are married to that kid for years to come.

"If you're going to spend two-plus years producing, editing, getting the film out into the marketplace, then I think you have a responsibility to that movie to see it through.

"If people want to talk about it, if people want to use it as a conversation piece, if it can somehow help drive a national conversation, an international conversation, if it can lead to some sort of reform or change, whatever it may be -- I don't know why else you would make a film if you didn't want it to be part of a conversation." ~ Morgan Spurlock, director of Supersize Me

More here!