Life Behind the Camera

09/22/2026

Cinematographer Owen Roizman was born on this day in 1936. In this photo taken on the set of his 1994 Western epic Wyatt Earp, between shots while filming the O.K. Corral showdown scene, actor Kevin Costner wishes Roizman a happy birthday on Sept. 22, 1993. The cinematographer was just 57, and passed away at the age of 86 in 2023.

09/20/2026

Set in a military academy doomed to closure, the high-stakes drama Taps (1981), directed by Harold Becker, finds a cadre of dedicated cadets — played by an exceptional young cast including Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn and Tom Cruise — taking up arms to defend their school against local police and National Guard troops that have them surrounded. While the film’s entire cast rose to the occasion, it was Cruise who left a distinct impression on cinematographer Owen Roizman. “Taps was only Tom’s second or third film, and he was always on set, close to the camera, even when he wasn’t needed,” he says. “I could tell that he was really trying to learn how things worked. What people’s responsibilities were. How the crew communicated. And he asked a lot of questions — not in an annoying way, but in the way that you could tell he was truly interested, that he really wanted to understand the process."
Learn more in the new book OWEN ROIZMAN: LIFE BEHIND THE CAMERA.

lifebehindthecamera.us

09/15/2026

I returned home late last night and found a wonderful surprise in my mail. David Williams’ biography of my mentor and friend, Owen Roizman, ASC. Owen encouraged me from the very beginning and saw in me something that I hoped was really there. In addition to his mastery of the craft, Owen was a kind and generous role model. I was privileged to read the gallows before publication and what immediately struck me was how David had captured Owen’s voice. Reading it felt as though I was sitting and having a conversation with Owen. If you are looking for a gift for someone special or for yourself, this will make an excellent addition to any library.

09/14/2026

Learn the art and craft of cinematography from a modern master: OWEN ROIZMAN. From how he launched his career to accepting the Academy Award for a lifetime of exceptional artistry. From The French Connection to The Exorcist to Network to Tootsie to Wyatt Earp — all Oscar-nominated classics for his expert camerawork. With 328 pages and hundreds of behind-the-scenes images from Roizman's personal archive, this new biography is a must-have. Get your copy at lifebehindthecamera.us

09/13/2026

I didn't end up using this BTS image from The French Connection (1971) in my new book OWEN ROIZMAN: LIFE BEHIND THE CAMERA, but the 42-page chapter on filming this crime classic covers the shoot in detail. Here, director William Friedkin chats with actor Gene Hackman, who plays rule-bending NYPD narcotics cop Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle. Between them is Eddie Egan, the REAL NYPD narcotics cop the character was based upon and who served as a technical advisor on the film. Egan did not initially believe Hackman – a former Marine – had the intestinal fortitude to play him on screen, and, according to cinematographer Owen Roizman, nicknamed him "Soft Hands." Conversely, Hackman initially hated playing Doyle, an ego-driven, often racist, thug. In the end, however, both men were satisfied with the performance, which earned Hackman an Academy Award.
My completed book is now available for U.S. orders at lifebehindthecamera.us

09/10/2026

The exceptional Cold War drama Fail Safe (1964) — shot by Gerald Hirschfeld and directed by Sidney Lumet — was the only feature film Owen Roizman ever worked on before shooting his own first feature project. Working as an assistant, here's Owen pulling tape on star Henry Fonda while making Fail Safe. We discuss this formative experience (among many others) in my new biography OWEN ROIZMAN: LIFE BEHIND THE CAMERA, available now for U.S. orders at lifebehindthecamera.us

09/03/2026

Our new book on master cinematographer Owen Roizman (The French Connection, The Exorcist, Network, Tootsie) is now available for orders within the US. 328 pages, 9"x12" landscape format, hardcover. Get your early-bird copy at https://lifebehindthecamera.us

07/17/2026

Got a test copy today. Very happy with the results.
Street date August 1, 2026
Will advise on ordering for those interested...

06/24/2026

Shooting the Oscar-winning crime film The French Connection (1971) launched cinematographer Owen Roizman's career, but it was not his first feature. This is a look back at his edgy 1970 project that got an X rating and was never released.
A section of our upcoming book on Owen covers this unseen project in greater detail.
We gets test copies back from the printer in about a week!

Shooting the Oscar-winning crime film The French Connection (1971) launched Owen Roizman's career, but it was not his first feature. Looking back on his edgy 1970 project that got an X rating and was never released.

06/16/2026

With his latest feature Disclosure Day (2026) now open, we look back on the inspirational working relationship between Steven Spielberg and his longtime director of photography. This release marks their 21st film together.

With his latest feature Disclosure Day (2026) opening, we look back on the inspirational working relationship between Steven Spielberg and his longtime director of photography. This release marks their 21st film together.