Speaking of his attitude on set, “What it meant was that I would light a set, watch a rehearsal and then I would actually go to sleep, because it is the one thing you can do on a film set that makes you less tired. Fortunately I don’t snore and I also wake up... »

“I have been apprehensive only twice in my whole life. The first was when I arrived at that bakery in the Mile End Road, there was a car park and I saw all these trucks and lorries and generators. I saw the mass of a feature film unit for the first time that morning... »

David Watkin’s house is now sold, his Library and personal papers dispersed, and stocks of both volumes of autobiography destroyed. Share/Save »

Out of Africa (1985) Based loosely on the autobiographical book by Isak Dinesen (pseudonym of Karen Blixen) published in 1937. The movie received 28 film awards, including seven Academy Awards. David Watkin won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Out of Africa. Director: Sydney Pollack Cinematography: David Watkin Camera and Electrical Department Peter Allwork:... »

Ken Russell’s The Boy Friend Share/Save »

Directed by Hugh Hudson Written by Colin Welland Cinemtography by David Watkin Executive Producer: Dodi Fayad Chariots of Fire is a 1981 British film loosely based on historical events surrounding the British athletic team before and during the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. The story follows Harold Abrahams, a Jew out to overcome prejudice, and Eric Liddell, a... »

Directed by Barbra Streisand Writing credits: Jack Rosenthal (screenplay) and Barbra Streisand Cinematography: David Watkin Camera and Electrical Department Frank Batt: key grip Garrett Brown: Steadicam operator John J. Campbell: first assistant camera (as John Campbell) Derek Gattrell: gaffer (as Derek Gatrell) Gordon Hayman: camera operator: second unit David James: still photographer Brian Kemp: best boy Peter MacDonald: camera operator Douglas Milsome: camera operator: second unit... »

Stills supplied by Barry Coward at Beulah Share/Save »

David received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. The T-Shirt that year quoted David on its front: One tries not to fuck it up. Below are snaps of David’s friends, Peter Macdonald and Madelyn Most at Lodz. Daniel Barenboim “Shortterm thinking, or even worse, thoughtlessness, makes many people think that culture, education and the arts are there... »

Director: Franco Zeffirelli Writers: John Mortimer (writer) Franco Zeffirelli (autobiography) Release Date: 2 April 1999 (UK) Produced by Marco Chimenz, executive producer Clive Parson, producer Pippo Pisciotto, associate producer Riccardo Tozzi, producer Giovannella Zannoni, producer Frederick Muller, producer (uncredited) Original Music by Stefano Arnaldi Alessio Vlad Cinematography by David Watkin Film Editing by Tariq Anwar Casting by Mirta Guarnaschelli Emma Style Art Direction by Carlo Centolavigna Biagio Fersini Gioia Fiorella Mariani Costume Design by Anna Anni Jenny Beavan Alberto Spiazzi Share/Save »

Conception of a new lighting technique Watkin conceived of the idea for a new light which would tackle the problem of light falloff during night shoots. Because of the inverse square law, light from even moderately strong sources starts to fall off fairly quickly as the subject walks away from the light source. Therefore films... »

British Transport Films was an organisation set up in 1949 to make documentary films on the general subject of British transport. Its work included internal training films, travelogues (extolling the virtues of places that could be visited via the British transport system – mostly by rail), and “industrial films” (as they were called) promoting... »

David Watkin interview with Peter Handford This interview was recorded in the garden of Peter Handford on the 1st October 2002, by Barry Coward. In 1985 Peter won an Oscar and a Bafta for his work on Sidney Pollack’s Out of Africa. He also worked alongside David on Charge of the Light Brigade (1968) and Oh!... »

The career of David Watkin revealed through photographic glimpses… British Transport Films Alan working at 25 Saville Row, 1955 Alan and Tom in the Post Office Yard, Waterloo, 1956 BTF crew: Baxter, Richie and Williams England’s North Country BTF crew: Robertson and Richie Share/Save »

Keen to share his love of opera… David treated many of his chums to a trip to Glyndebourne… Share/Save »

Born into an illustrious railway family, David Watkin began work with the Southern Region Film Unit of British Railways in the late 1940’s. In 1950 he became a messenger boy and assistant cameraman at British Transport Films. Barry Coward writes: One day in 1981 I received a phone call from a David Watkin asking for a... »

As an amateur musician and loyal Beulah supporter, David Watkin wrote the following notes for the Visions of Elgar CD booklet: “Poor old Elgar was, like Kipling, enmeshed with the British Empire. Both men deserved better, the two symphonies and the violin concerto may rightly stand besides Brahms: and I have a soft spot for... »

David’s ancestors built The Watkin Path – one of the principal access routes up to the summit of Snowdon. The Watkin Path has the greatest change in altitude out of all the paths up Snowdon. Starting at 60 metres (200 ft) above sea level at the Nantgwynant car park (SH628506) south of Snowdon, and finishing... »

David loved being at home in Brighton… His beloved dog, Longuiter – waiting on the landing. The Camerimage Lifetime Achievement Award (Golden Frog) can be seen on the coffee table! Share/Save »

Directed by Mike Nichols Writers: Joseph Heller (novel) Buck Henry (screenplay) Cinematography: David Watkin Camera and Electrical Department Peter Ewens: first assistant camera Bud Gaunt: key grip Earl Gilbert: gaffer Alan McCabe: camera operator Nelson Tyler: helicopter photographer Harold E. Wellman: photographer: second unit (as Harold Wellman) Ronald B. MacKenzie: electrician (uncredited) Robert Willoughby: special still photographer (uncredited) Nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography. Death... »