John Alcott
| John Alcott | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1931 London, England |
| Died | 28 July 1986 Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France |
| Occupation | Cinematographer |
| Years active | 1948–1987 |
John Alcott, BSC (1931 – 28 July 1986) was an English cinematographer best known for his four collaborations with director Stanley Kubrick; these are 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), for which he took over as lighting cameraman from Geoffrey Unsworth in mid-shoot, A Clockwork Orange (1971), Barry Lyndon (1975), the film for which he won his Oscar, and The Shining (1980). Alcott died from a heart attack in Cannes, France in July 1986; he was 55. He received a tribute at the end of his last film No Way Out starring Kevin Costner.
John Alcott was born in Isleworth, England, in 1931, to the father of film executive Arthur Alcott.
At a young age, Alcott started his career in film by becoming a clapper boy, which was the lowest position in the camera crew chain. As time progressed however, he moved his way up and eventually became the third highest position of the camera following the lighting cameraman and the main camera operator. His position was extremely important, as his job was to adjust, focus and measure the lens and distance between the actor or object being shot and the camera itself.
Alcott's big break was given to him by Stanley Kubrick, who was a master cinematographer, director, producer and screenwriter. Kubrick promoted Alcott to lighting cameraman in 1968 while working on 2001: A Space Odyssey and from there the two created an inseparable collaboration, in which they worked together on more than one occasion. In 1971, Kubrick then elevated Alcott to director of photography on A Clockwork Orange which was nominated for four Academy Awards in Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing, however the film did not win in any category.
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