Andrew Lesnie ACS ASC (1 January 1956 – 27 April 2015) was an Australian cinematographer.
He was best known for his collaboration with director Peter Jackson on The Hobbit trilogy (2012–2014) and The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003), with The Fellowship of the Ring earning him the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
Early life Lesnie was born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 1 January 1956, the son of Shirley (Lithgow) and Allan Lesnie, who worked for the family's company, butcher suppliers Harry Lesnie Pty Ltd.
He was educated at Sydney Grammar School. Lesnie finished 6th form and his Higher School Certificate in 1974.
Career Lesnie started his career as an assistant camera operator on the film Patrick (1978) while still studying at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS).Moran, Albert and Vieth, Errol (2005).The A to Z of Australian and New Zealand Cinema Scarecrow Press, Inc.
His first job after graduation in 1979 was as a cameraman on the Logie Award-winning Australian magazine-style afternoon TV show Simon Townsend's Wonder World. Simon Townsend gave Lesnie almost daily opportunities to develop his craft with little restriction over a wide variety of stories and situations, and to experiment with camera and lighting techniques in hundreds of locations and situations. After two years of working on the show, Lesnie moved on to numerous Australian film and television productions, including the mini-series Bodyline.The Australian Film and Television Companion – compiled by Tony Harrison, Simon & Schuster, Australia (1994)
He later worked as a second camera assistant on the film The Killing of Angel Street (1981).
Lesnie would then go on to develop his craft as he photographed films like Stations (1983), The Delinquents (1989), Temptation of the Monk (1993), and Spider and Rose (1994).
The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003) Lesnie used motion picture camera company Arri's Arriflex 435, Arriflex 535, and ArriCam Studio 35mm film cameras for the trilogy. He used Carl Zeiss Ultra Prime Lenses and Kodak's 5279 (tungsten-balanced) film stock to photograph the films.
He planned far ahead into the production with Jackson with previsualisation programs to help establish frame sizes and angles, as well as construction of sets.Gray, Simon (December 2002). "A Fellowship in Peril (p.3)" During filming, Lesnie emphasised earthy colours in the makeup and wardrobe of the cast and extras.Gray, Simon (December 2002). "A Fellowship in Peril (p.2)"
His work on The Fellowship of the Ring earned him the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
At the acceptance speech, Lesnie dedicated to chief lighting technician Brian Bansgrove, who he described as a major contributor to the quality of the film's cinematography.
The Hobbit trilogy (2012–2014)
For production, Lesnie used Red Digital Cinema's Epic cameras as well as Carl Zeiss Ultra Prime Lenses to photograph the film. Jackson and Lesnie decided to shoot the film in 3D with as many as 15 stereoscopic camera rigs (2 cameras each) with 3ality. They also decided to shoot the film in an uncommon frame rate of 48 frames per second versus the industry standard of 24 frames per second. This would make Lesnie the first cinematographer to employ such a method that claims to induce more clarity, reduce motion blur, and make 3D easier to watch.Egan, Jack (21 December 2012) "Contendor – Director of Photography Andrew Lesnie, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"Kilday, Gregg (13 November 2013) "Despite 'The Hobbit,' Hollywood Isn't Adopting 48 Frames Per Second"
Personal life and death Lesnie lived on Sydney's north coast.
He was a member of both the Australian Cinematographers Society and the American Society of Cinematographers.
Lesnie died of a heart attack in his Sydney home on 27 April 2015, after having suffered from a heart condition for half a year.
His final film, The Water Diviner, was released in Australia in December 2014 and in America in April 2015, one week before his death.
Filmography Film Documentary film Year Title Director 1980 The ComebackKit Laughlin 1988 Schwarzenegger: Total Rebuild
Short film Year Title Director Notes 1981 The Same Stream James Bradley 1983 Stations Jackie McKimmie 1984 The Man You Know Steve Jacobs 2013 Reunion Simon Stone Segment of The Turning
Feature film Year Title Director Notes 1984 Fantasy Man John Meagher1985 Emoh Ruo Denny Lawrence Unfinished Business Bob Ellis 1986 Fair Game Mario Andreacchio 1987 Australian Dream Jackie McKimmie Dark Age Arch Nicholson 1989 The Boys in the Island Geoff Bennett The Delinquents Chris Thomson 1990 The Shrimp on the Barbie Michael Gottlieb Australian unit 1992 The Girl Who Came Late Kathy Mueller 1993 Temptation of a Monk Clara Law With Arthur Wong 1994 Spider and Rose Bill Bennett Fatal Past Clive Fleury 1995 Babe Chris Noonan 1996 Two If by Sea Bill Bennett 1997 Doing Time for Patsy Cline Chris Kennedy1998 The Sugar Factory Robert Carter Babe: Pig in the City George Miller 2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingPeter JacksonShot back-to-back 2002 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers 2003 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2004 Love's Brother Jan Sardi 2005 King Kong Peter Jackson 2007 I Am Legend Francis Lawrence 2009 Bran Nue Dae Rachel Perkins The Lovely Bones Peter Jackson 2010 The Last Airbender M. Night Shyamalan 2011 Rise of the Planet of the Apes Rupert Wyatt 2012 The Hobbit: An Unexpected JourneyPeter Jackson 2013 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 2014 Healing Craig Monahan The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Peter Jackson The Water Diviner Russell Crowe
Television Year Title Director Notes 1979–1986 Wonder World! 497 episodes 1986 Cyclone Tracy Donald CrombieKathy Mueller Miniseries1988 Melba Rodney Fisher 6 episodes The Rainbow Warrior Conspiracy Chris Thomson Miniseries 1990 Winners George Whaley Episode "Mr Edmund" 1994–1995 House of Fun Rebel Penfold-Russell
TV movies Year Title Director Notes 1980 Stages: Peter Brook and the C.I.C.T in Australia Robert Mellor Documentary film1989 The Saint: Fear in Fun Park Donald Crombie How Wonderful! Lynn Hergarty
Awards and nominations Year Title Award/Nomination 1993 Temptation of a Monk Nominated- Hong Kong Film Award for Best Cinematography 1997 Doing Time for Patsy Cline AACTA Award for Best Cinematography 2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Academy Award for Best CinematographyChicago Film Critics Association Award for Best CinematographyDallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best CinematographyNominated- BAFTA Award for Best CinematographyNominated- ASC Award for Outstanding CinematographyNominated- Online Film Critics Society Award for Best CinematographyNominated- Satellite Award for Best Cinematography 2002 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Nominated- BAFTA Award for Best CinematographyNominated- Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best CinematographyNominated- Online Film Critics Society Award for Best CinematographyNominated- Satellite Award for Best Cinematography 2003 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King BAFTA Award for Best CinematographyDallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best CinematographyFlorida Film Critics Circle Award for Best CinematographyOnline Film Critics Society Award for Best CinematographyNominated- ASC Award for Outstanding CinematographyNominated- Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best CinematographyNominated- Satellite Award for Best Cinematography 2004 Love's Brother Nominated- AACTA Award for Best Cinematography 2005 King Kong Nominated- ASC Award for Outstanding CinematographyNominated- Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematography 2009 The Lovely Bones Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best CinematographyNominated- Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best CinematographyNominated- Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Cinematography
References
External links
Andrew Lesnie's profile on the AFTRS website Russell Crowe remembers late cinematographer Andrew Lesnie