OBITUARIES

'Zodiac' and 'The Game' Cinematographer Harris Savides Has Died

by Ethan Anderton
October 11, 2012
Source: The Playlist

Most of the time, when we pause to pay respects to a recently passed member of the entertainment industry, it's a prolific director, iconic actor or even well-known producer. Today we're looking directly behind the camera for some sad news as The Playlist has learned that respected cinematographer Harris Savides has passed away at age 55, due to unknown causes at this time. Savides frequently worked with director Gus Van Sant in what the filmmaker referred to as his "death trilogy" (which includes Elephant, Gerry and Last Days), and also heavy hitters like David Fincher, Noah Baumbach and Woody Allen. More below.

Here's a couple of videos showing off Savides' love and passion for cinema:

His work with Van Sant on the aforementioned three films resulted in three Independent Spirit Awards (he would also be nominated for his work on Milk and Greenberg), and he collaborated with the Good Will Hunting director as recently as 2011 on the film Restless with Mia Wasikowska. However, two of Savides most stunning pieces of work include shooting Fincher's Zodiac (a sorely underrated thriller) and The Game. Savides also took cinematogrpahy duties on American Gangster for Ridley Scott and Whatever Works for Woody Allen. He also shot Somewhere for Sofia Coppola and his last work will actually be the Lost in Translation director's adaptation of The Bling Ring with Emma Watson.

The Playlist has dedicated a quick rundown of some of the essential work that must be seen from Savides career behind the camera that ended too soon. Here's a quote they pulled from the book New Cinematographers that should inspire future generations of filmmakers, "Shoot as much as you can, don't be afraid and don't be cocky. Just shoot, learn and expose film. Shoot still film, that's how I learned as an assistant, I was always processing film so I knew how to make film. Don't get too involved in the technical stuff, learn it and then throw it away." Harris Savides' work will live on, and he'll be missed. Rest in peace.

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