Inside the November 2025 Issue of American Cinematographer
The November 2025 issue presents coverage of Ballad of a Small Player, One Battle After Another, Caught Stealing, Highest 2 Lowest, Tron: Ares and Truth & Treason, as well as looks at the launch of the ASC Todd-AO Lenses and incorporating Gaussian-splat technology into production workflow. Featured throughout are spotlights on on-set monitoring and virtual production.
President’s Desk
Mandy Walker, ASC, ACS considers the many ways cinematographers seek inspiration.
Ballad of a Small Player — Capturing a Gambler's Chaotic Odyssey
James Friend, ASC, BSC and director Edward Berger discuss creating two divergent looks to depict a high-stakes card player's strange journey in Macau.
Shooting One Battle After Another in VistaVision
Cinematographer Mike Bauman, camera operator Colin Anderson and 1st camera assistant Sergius Nafa detail their contributions to Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller, which was shot with three vintage Beaumont VistaVision cameras.
Two From Matthew Libatique, ASC, LPS
The cinematographer continues his long-running creative partnerships with Darren Aronofsky and Spike Lee on the directors' latest respective features, Caught Stealing and Highest 2 Lowest.
Tron: Ares — Bringing Digital Beings Into the Real World
Jeff Cronenweth, ASC; director Joachim Rønning; and crew break down their approach to the neon-inflected sci-fi action feature.
Introducing the ASC Todd-AO Lenses
ASC members Steve Gainer, Shelly Johnson, Greig Fraser and Mandy Walker, and ASC associate member Alex Nelson of Zero Optik, discuss the collective endeavor to produce the ASC Todd-AO Lenses, and Christian Sprenger, ASC describes using the restored vintage optics in the field.
Global Village: Re-Creating Early-1940s Germany for Truth & Treason
Cinematographer Bianca Cline illuminates her approach to the World War II-era drama, directed by Matt Whitaker.
The Virtual World
Roberto Schaefer, ASC, AIC discusses his recent work with Gaussian splats, a 3D visualization technology that holds promise for cinematographers.
In Memoriam: Eduardo Serra, ASC, AFC
Reflecting on the cinematographer's impactful works, which included Girl with a Pearl Earring, Unbreakable and two Harry Potter films.
Clubhouse News
The latest bulletins from the Society feature new members Valentina Caniglia,
Max Da-Yung Wang and Mike Berlucchi; the unveiling of the ASC Todd-AO Lenses; a New Zealand Cinematographers Society welcome for Shelly Johnson; a celebration of the 2025 Emmy-nominated cinematographers; and an ASC Mini Master Class.
Wrap Shot — Casino Royale (2006)
A look back at one of the James Bond film series' most transformative entries, shot by Phil Méheux, BSC and directed by Martin Campbell.
