Victor J. Kemper

Known for Camera

4/14/1927

Newark, New Jersey, USA

Biography

Victor Jay Kemper (April 14, 1927 – November 27, 2023) was an American cinematographer. He was a member of the American Society of Cinematographers, and was its president twice, from 1993 to 1996, and from 1999 to 2001.

Known For (2 credits)

Movie

The Story of Husbands: A Tribute to John Cassavetes

2009

Producer Al Ruban, actor Ben Gazzara, and cinematographer Victor J. Kemper share their fond memories of director-actor John Cassavetes and of his filming Husbands (1970).

7.0

Movie

Visions of Light

1992

Cameramen and women discuss the craft and art of cinematography and of the "DP" (the director of photography), illustrating their points with clips from 100 films, from Birth of a Nation to Do the Right Thing. Themes: the DP tells people where to look; changes in movies (the arrival of sound, color, and wide screens) required creative responses from DPs; and, these artisans constantly invent new equipment and try new things, with wonderful results. The narration takes us through the identifiable studio styles of the 30s, the emergence of noir, the New York look, and the impact of Europeans. Citizen Kane, The Conformist, and Gordon Willis get special attention.