Dante Spinotti
 | This article includes a list of general references but lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (February 2013) |
Dante Spinotti | |
|---|---|
 Spinotti on the set of the Italian TV miniseries The Black Arrow in 1968 | |
| Born | 24 August 1943 |
| Years active | 1972–present |
Dante Spinotti ASC, AIC (born 24 August 1943) is an Italian cinematographer, known for his collaborations with directors Michael Mann and Brett Ratner.
He received Academy Award nominations for L.A. Confidential (1997) and The Insider (1999), and won a BAFTA Award for The Last of the Mohicans (1992).
Life and career
[edit source]Dante Spinotti was born in the commune of Tolmezzo, in Northern Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, near the Austrian border. At the age of 11, he began experimenting with still photography, using a camera inherited from his uncle (a cinematographer and director who specialized in documentaries and newsreels). Spinotti left high school early to work in the film industry in Kenya, driven by his skills in freehand drawing.[1]
Spinotti's first work as cinematographer was the 1972 television drama I Nicotera. His early work included collaborations with noted Italian directors like Lina Wertmüller and Liliana Cavani.
In 1986, Spinotti moved to the United States, forming collaborations with established American directors like Brett Ratner and Michael Mann.[2]
Spinotti has gone on record discussing the meticulous preparation and collaborative spirit essential to his work, particularly with director Michael Mann. He also discussed the process of remastering classics like Heat and adapting to new technologies, like digital cameras[3][4] and even iPhones for certain shots to enhance storytelling.[5]
Dante Spinotti is a member of the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He won the Golden Camera 300 award at the Manaki Brothers Film Festival in North Macedonia for lifetime achievement. In 2012, he received the American Society of Cinematographers's Lifetime Achievement Award.[6]
Filmography
[edit source]Film
[edit source]| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Documentary film
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman | Eric Bricker | With Aiken Weiss |
| 2023 | Posso entrare? An ode to Naples | Trudie Styler | |
| 2026 | Melania | Brett Ratner | With Barry Peterson and Jeff Cronenweth |
Television
[edit source]Miniseries
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | I Nicotera | Salvatore Nocita |
| 1979 | Paura sul mondo | Domenico Campan |
| 1982 | Colomba | Giacomo Battiato |
TV movies
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Tracce sulla neve | Alessandro Cane |
| 1980 | La signorina Else | Enzo Muzii |
| 1981 | Fosca | |
| 1983 | Le ambizioni sbagliate | Fabio Carpi |
| 2008 | Blue Blood | Brett Ratner |
| 2012 | Rogue | |
| 2015 | Edge | Shane Black |
TV series
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | La pietra di Marco Polo | Aldo Lado | |
| 2005 | Prison Break | Brett Ratner | Episode "Pilot" |
| 2007 | Women's Murder Club | ||
| 2011 | CHAOS | Brett Ratner | Episode "Pilot" |
Awards and nominations
[edit source]| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Academy Awards | Best Cinematography | L.A. Confidential | Nominated |
| 1999 | The Insider | Nominated | ||
| 1992 | BAFTA Awards | Best Cinematography | The Last of the Mohicans | Won |
| 1997 | L.A. Confidential | Nominated | ||
| 1992 | American Society of Cinematographers | Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography | The Last of the Mohicans | Nominated |
| 1997 | L.A. Confidential | Nominated | ||
| 1999 | The Insider | Nominated | ||
| 1997 | Los Angeles Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | L.A. Confidential | Won |
| 1999 | The Insider | Won | ||
| 1997 | Satellite Awards | Best Cinematography | L.A. Confidential | Nominated |
| 2006 | X-Men: The Last Stand | Nominated | ||
| 2009 | Public Enemies | Nominated | ||
| 1995 | Chicago Film Critics Association | Best Cinematography | Heat | Nominated |
| 1997 | National Society of Film Critics | Best Cinematography | L.A. Confidential | Nominated |
References
[edit source]- ↑ "Locarno Film Festival - Interview with Dante Spinotti". Locarno Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ↑ French, Philip (2002-10-12). "Film of the week: Red Dragon". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ↑ "Dante Spinotti - British Cinematographer". British Cinematographer. 2015-05-09. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
- ↑ Caranicas, Peter (2016-11-18). "Dante Spinotti on Technology, New Workflow, Directors' Personalities". Variety. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
- ↑ Newman, Nick (2016-11-28). "Dante Spinotti on Michael Mann's Preparedness, Remastering Classics, and New Technologies". Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (2011-11-08). "'The Insider' Cinematographer Dante Spinotti To Receive ASC Lifetime Achievement Award". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ↑ Dargis, Manohla (April 25, 2008). "A Sliver of Thrills". New York Times. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
