Light Years [Paperback]

Tom McDonough (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

McDonough laments that cinematography is an invisible profession, its craft and contribution largely unsung. But this shapeless autobiographical narrative, consisting mostly of self-consciously hip, on-site vignettes with titles like "Tender Is the Light" and "Deep Wrist," could have been much more illuminating about the cinematographer's art. McDonough, who photographed the movies Best Boy and The Day After Trinity, writes about the energy transfer between cameraman and subject and the artistic standards that such perfectionists as Gordon Willis, Nestor Almendros and James Wong Howe bring to their work. He also sets down his thoughts on video, 3-D, fishing and the relationship between American painting and Hollywood films. The action shuttles from a political demonstration in New Delhi to the shooting of The Muppets Take Manhattan in Central Park.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Cinematographer McDonough's book is chiefly an evocation of the art, craft, and drudgery of his profession (and of moviemaking in general). It is also part picaresque, confessional adventure (set on several continents where McDonough is working), with borderline-obscene tall tales (featuring fictionalized real-life characters, including himself); and part overview of cinematography and profiles of its practitioners, most favorably the great Gordon Willis. This last section is possibly the briefest. The book's jumble of styles and jump-cut narratives read almost like a novel. McDonough's powers of observation and thought are acute, and, even if it is overwritten, Light Years is entertaining, interesting reading. David Bartholomew, NYPL
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Grove Pr (January 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802131530
• ISBN-13: 978-0802131539
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,567,612 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Only a mild diversion, June 23, 2000

By 

David Brower - See all my reviews

This review is from: Light Years (Paperback)

McDonough's book is a bunch of anecdotes about his life as a not-particularly-accomplished cinemetographer. It's most enlightening aspects about about the nature of the old-boy network in film crafts, particularly how you get in the union. But most of it isn't very interesting, really.

4.0 out of 5 stars Light Years by Tom McDonough, December 13, 2005

By 

Brian M. Plow - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Light Years (Paperback)

This account of filmmaking and the consequences/sacrifices/gratifications of being a filmmaker (yes, there are consequences/sacrifices) is a rare commodity amidst the abundant supply of anecdotal/self-aggrandazing set stories ("So Marty [Scorsese] and I were talking one day on set...") as well as the easily found conveyance of the technical. McDonough is a thinking filmmaker, who laments his profession as much as he loves it. And, in truly attitudinal counterpoint, depricates himself as opposed to the cacophony of self-inflating spin that most filmmakers glaze over their more meaningless work. Tom McDonough's written work gives the cynic hope in the profession, process and culture of filmmaking; and it is my hope that he inspires others to "think" as much as they "do" in the study, practice and profession.