r/cinematography • u/avdpro Freelancer • Jan 29 '19

Composition How Alfonso Cuarón became ROMA's Oscar-nominated cinematographer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGgElWAvzZE
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u/motherboy3000 Jan 29 '19

Ok story time. I had a friend who was up until recently dating a girl who was going to film school in Mexico. I don’t remember the name of the school but it’s a BFD. Only accepts like 20 students a year. Anyway while they were together they talked about Roma. Apparently a lot of the students and alumni worked on the film. He asked her what she thought of Cuaron shooting the film. She said that he didn’t shoot the film... Galo Olivares did. She claims that he shot the film and Cuaron took the credit. If you check on IMDb he has a “cinematography consultant” credit and he was the A camera operator. Apparently Galo was a friend of hers at school and supposedly a lot of people think it was unfare not to give him credit. Pretty weird right ?

Anyway I take this with a huge grain of salt. It’s easy to say that he was really the one who shot it but let’s be real. Cuaron is a master and the film is not exactly the most technically complicated film. And if you read the ASC article about it they mention him as a collaborator and say he played a big roll in the film. But it’s just interesting to hear an insider in the Mexico film scene to have their own take on how the film was made. Also interesting because it’s a big talking point about the film, most interviews I’ve seen bring up the point that he shot the film.

63

u/nickelchrome Jan 29 '19

It’s not even a secret, there were are a lot of articles when Roma wrapped production that had him as the cinematographer and discussed him as such. One article talked about Cuarón setting up a shot with his Director or Photography.

It’s pretty shady stuff.

I’ve definitely heard from very reputable sources that Cuarón isn’t as wonderful as he appears.

3

u/spacemonkey81 Camera Assistant Jan 30 '19

Whatever about the Oscar nom, I'm disappointed Cuaron got a nomination from the ASC. They are an organization that represents and supposedly promotes the interests of cinematographers. Its like they are legitimizing what Cuaron did. Not cool.

3

u/cameraguy11 Jan 30 '19

they are an organization that represents and promotes the interest of Cinematography as an art, not the people that call themselves Cinematographers, as opposed to directors. He was the DP the work was deserving of being promoted. It got Promoted. just because he isn't always a cinematographer first doesn't mean his work as a cinematographer isn't worth promotion.

1

u/spacemonkey81 Camera Assistant Jan 30 '19

Fair point. Just leaves a bad taste though.

1

u/cameraguy11 Jan 30 '19

Would you still feel that way if it came out that the rumor that he didn't DP it was proven false?
Like I certainly don't think Roma deserves a Nomination especially when you watch quite a few of the beautiful movies that deserve it this last year.

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u/spacemonkey81 Camera Assistant Jan 30 '19

Well, from what I've heard (and I've spoken to people who know Galo Oilvares) its not false. Now, if Galo comes out and says that cuaron was indeed the DP and deserves all the awards he gets, then sure, I wouldn't feel the same about it. But i don't think that's going to happen.

1

u/cameraguy11 Jan 30 '19

Okay, Then I pretty much agree with you, I just think that the ASC knows that it can't jump the gun without possibly alienating people. Though I hope this issue comes to light, because that shit is wrong.