Cinematographers on DVD Commentary

[Chris Gore]

I'm looking for any DVDs that have commentary by or including the film's cinematographer. I know that "Requiem for a Dream" has commentary co-hosted by DP Matthew Libatique and it's awesome. Trouble is, most DVD packaging won't even bother to list a cinematographer as having a commentary track. I am really interested in DVD commentaries by Director's of Photography, but if they're not even listed on the packaging, how am I supposed to find them. Any suggestions?

[flipsidemovies]

Here's some that I know of (but haven't listened to): Monsoon Wedding, Get Carter (1971), Jackass: The Movie, The Sum of All Fears, Legends of the Fall, Monster's Ball, Blade, George Washington, Moulin Rouge, Sunrise, Abandon, K-19: The Widowmaker, Mission to Mars, Pearl Harbor (Vista Series Director's Cut), Hall of Mirrors, Do the Right Thing (Criterion), The Devil's Backbone, and From Hell.

[melgib]

Chris, check out the Twin Peaks first season special edition four-DVD set. As I recall (it's been a while) cinematographer and/or DP for each episode is/are given the opportunity to contribute to those audio commentaries.

[whatismoving]

Chris, the Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition set has a commentary track which has the Director of Photography, the Visual Effects Cinematographer, the Visual Effects Supervisor, and several others. Hell, the Fellowship DVD set has so many commentary tracks, I wouldn't be surprised if you're on one of 'em.

[Chris Gore]

Okay, he must not be a message board kind of guy, but I got an e-mail from Neal Fredericks who says:

Saw you were looking for DVDs with DP commentary. I have three out at the moment where I was on commentary track...

DREAMERS - http://www.dreamersthemovie.com
DVD at CineFile, 20/20 chains

KILLER ME - kttp://www.killerme.com
DVD at Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, 20/20, Odyssey

VOODOO TAILZ - http://www.popartfilmfactory.com
DVD at Blockbuster, Hollywood Video

Sincerely,
Neal L. Fredericks
Director of Photography

[camopdp]

so far I have done six...i try to be entertaining and tell people how we accomplished stuff technically...

the three films listed above have three distinct styles of cinematography...

DREAMERS...a drama (35mm)
KILLER ME...horror with a romantic element (16mm)
VOODOO TAILZ...a party film that turns into bloody horror (16mm)

Neal

[peryteran]

Not that this is actual commentary on one film, the 1993 documentary Vision of Light provides some good commentary from Conrad Hall, among others...

[cinemaeye]

PERSONAL VELOCITY has an interesting commentary by Ellen Kuras. If there are any filmmakers on these boards who shoot on DV or are planning to, this commentary is a must-listen.

[Patty]

Hedwig and the Angry Inch has commentary by star/director/writer John Cameron Mitchell and cinematographer Frank G. DeMarco. It's a really good track.

[KevinCarr]

Several movies by John Carpenter on DVD have the cinematographer on them as well, or even a separate DP commentary.

Say what you want about Carpenter's more recent work (most of of was eye-bleeding horrible, like Ghosts of Mars and Vampires), but he does try to do an informative commentary.

The one that really sticks out in my mind is "In the Mouth of Madness." Carpenter practically does an interview with the DP for the commentary.

I think Dean Cundy does one on "The Thing," but don't hold me to it.