Why Do Cinematographers Have Such Cool Names?

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notharrylume

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notharrylume said:
  • Nestor Almendros
  • Lazlo Kovacs
  • Raul Coutard
  • James Wong Howe
  • Billy Bitzer
  • Sven Nykvist
  • Vittorio Storaro
  • Lucien Ballard
  • Tonnino Delli Colli
  • Hideo Yamamoto
  • Lee Garmes
  • Mark Lee Ping Bing
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In most cases, cinematographers have not tended to alter their names from their birth name, as have many stars. The result of such alterations typically result in rather 'bland' names, with perhaps the only variation being in spelling. Although outright complete alteration of star names seems to be a thing of the past, a star may use a middle or family first name, rather than their birth name, if it 'sounds' better, same for last names.

For many jews, the name alteration to a 'gentile' name was due to various prejudices of the past eras.

Same for various foreign stars, for example "Greta Gustafsson" altered her name to 'Garbo' in 1923 just as her film career was beginning.
 
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Often famous cinematographers work in countries other than the land of their birth. The notion that a local can't see what is exotic about their home is often cited. Foreign names are cooler than John Smith.
 
Ohh I'd never change my name.... Iñaki Lauzirika, getting used to a new name would be really awkward...
 
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Yeah you could be called Noel Evans...about as exotic as KFC. I wont let it get in the way :)

Some more everyday names from others whose naming comes more from western europe.

Chris Doyle
Shane Hurlbut
Peter James

Theres many more.
 
Then there is the old "other" division of the biz that suggests your first name be the same as your first pet and your last name be the street you grew up on.... that would make me Blackie Clifton....whew ... thats scary.
 
BrianMurphy said:
Then there is the old "other" division of the biz that suggests your first name be the same as your first pet and your last name be the street you grew up on.... that would make me Blackie Clifton....whew ... thats scary.
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Good idea.

Guy Edward in that case. (Or Snoopy Ann, perhaps as an author.) (Or maybe Hammy Alexander?) Kinda works. Huh.

Spirit Pine sounds kind of.....achhhh..... f-it.
 
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Noel Evans said:
Yeah somehow I dont think Champ Princess is going to wash.
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I'm sure there's a subcategory it would be suited to. No doubt it would involve apparatus and rigging. Possibly fur and barking.


Ginge Floreat, meh.

If I change my name to Alan Smithee can I claim backpay for all my films?
 
Guy whizz. (sorry)

Was spirit a horse-cat? (c'mon, meet me half way) neigh-eow!

2 years for a hamster, that's incredible. Sometimes they die on you just for the fun it. I think hamsters must enjoy emotionally scarring kids (at least for the 30 seconds it takes to forget ever having had one). Mum kept replacing them thinking we wouldn't notice. What we noticed is that we were killing a lot of hamsters.
 
It's like names of blues musicians.

First name: a physical infirmity (Blind, Cripple, Lame, etc.)
Middle name: a fruit (Lemon, Lime, Melon, Kiwi, etc.)
Last name: a President (Jefferson, Johnson, Fillmore, etc.)
For example: Blind Lime Jefferson, Jackleg Lemon Johnson or Cripple Kiwi Fillmore.

Turner Syndrome Citron Washington doesn't really work though.
 
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