Donald Peterman
Born
Donald William Peterman

(1932-01-03)January 3, 1932
DiedFebruary 5, 2011(2011-02-05) (aged 79)
Palos Verdes Estates, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesDon Peterman
OccupationCinematographer
Years active19662000
OrganizationAmerican Society of Cinematographers

Donald William Peterman, ASC (January 3, 1932 – February 5, 2011) was an American cinematographer whose numerous feature film credits included Flashdance, Cocoon, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Point Break, and Men in Black. [1] He was a regular collaborator of directors like Ron Howard, Barry Sonnenfeld, and Ron Underwood. He was a two-time Academy Award nominee and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the American Society of Cinematographers since 1984.[2]

Life and career

Peterman was born in Los Angeles, on January 3, 1932.[1] He graduated from Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach, California, before serving in the United States Army during the early 1950s.[1] Peterman began shooting documentaries for the U.S. Army during his time in the service.

Peterman began his professional career as a clapper loader for Hal Roach Studios at the age of 22 after leaving the U.S. Army.[1][2] He departed Hal Roach Studios for Cascade Studios, where he worked the optical printer and animation camera.[2] Peterman left Cascade Studios to work on the Lassie television series, but later returned to Cascade Studios to become director of photography for the studio's television commercial productions.[2]

Peterman made his film debut as director of photography in the 1979 horror film, When a Stranger Calls.[1][2] The film, described by Peterman as a "a down-and-dirty production," was shot in 25 days with a $1.7 million budget.[3] Peterman was able to shoot nighttime scenes in six foot-candles of soft light without the aid of high-speed film stock or lenses.[3]

Peterman was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography on the 1983 film, Flashdance, starring Jennifer Beals.[1] However, he lost to Sven Nykvist at the 56th Academy Awards. Peterman received his second nomination in 1986 for his work on Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, which was directed by Leonard Nimoy, but lost to Chris Menges at the 59th Academy Awards in 1987.[1] Peterman's many other film credits included Splash in 1984, Cocoon in 1985, 1991's Point Break and the comedy Get Shorty, which was released in 1995, and Men In Black in 1997.[1]

In 1997, Peterman suffered head injuries, a broken leg and broken ribs in an accident on the film set of Mighty Joe Young.[1] Peterman was on a platform suspended eighteen feet from the ground when the crane holding the platform snapped, throwing Peterman to the ground.[1] A cameraman working with Peterman was also injured in the accident.[1] Production was delayed for two days, and Peterman was replaced by Oliver Wood for the remainder of principal photography.

Peterman's last film was Ron Howard's How the Grinch Stole Christmas in 2000.[1][2]

Don Peterman died at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California, of myelodysplastic syndrome on February 5, 2011, at the age of 79.[1][2]

Filmography

Year Title Director Notes
1979 When a Stranger Calls Fred Walton
1981 King of the Mountain Noel Nosseck
Rich and Famous George Cukor
1982 Young Doctors in Love Garry Marshall
Kiss Me Goodbye Robert Mulligan
1983 Flashdance Adrian Lyne Nominated- Academy Award for Best Cinematography
1984 Splash Ron Howard
Best Defense Willard Huyck
Mass Appeal Glenn Jordan
1985 Cocoon Ron Howard
American Flyers John Badham
1986 Gung Ho Ron Howard
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Leonard Nimoy Nominated- Academy Award for Best Cinematography
Nominated- ASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography
1987 Planes, Trains and Automobiles John Hughes
1988 She's Having a Baby
1989 She's Out of Control Stan Dragoti
1991 Point Break Kathryn Bigelow
1992 Mr. Saturday Night Billy Crystal
1993 Addams Family Values Barry Sonnenfeld
1994 Speechless Ron Underwood
1995 Get Shorty Barry Sonnenfeld
1997 Men in Black
1998 Mighty Joe Young Ron Underwood Co-cinematographer with Oliver Wood
2000 How the Grinch Stole Christmas Ron Howard

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Perry Moore, 'Narnia' series executive producer, dies at 39; Don Peterman, Oscar-nominated cinematographer, dies at 79; Nancy Carr, network TV publicist, dies at 50". Los Angeles Times. February 22, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "'Flashdance' d.p. Don Peterman dies at 79". Variety. February 21, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  3. 1 2 Fisher, Bob (March 8, 2011). "Remembering Don Peterman, ASC". ICG Magazine. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
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