AllenGuilford
- Cinematographer
Allen Guilford was a prolific and much admired cinematographer, whose host of television programmes ranged from 1970s TV landmark The God Boy to colonial melodrama Greenstone. Guilford won NZ Film Awards for his work on movies The Footstep Man, coming of age tale The Climb, and blockbuster What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? He passed away on 10 March 2009.
Screenography
Biography
Cinematographer Allen Guilford believed that images should stand back and tell the story, rather than get in the way of it. When he passed away in March 2009, an impressive roll call of local screen talents paid tribute.
Peter Jackson described Guilford as "a detailed and meticulous light cameraman", with a "wicked sense of humour". Fellow cinematographer Alun Bollinger wondered if he'd ever seen Guilford rattled. "He seemed to be able to go calmly about his work and get the job done elegantly and in good time, no hassles". Leon Narbey, another local camera legend, recalled how Guilford's images reflected his love of both contrast and "a heightened sense of naturalism". He also described Guilford's love of "old stylish things, including his hats, scarves and old squeaky leather jackets".
Awards
1999 Nokia New Zealand Film Awards
Best Cinematography: for What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?
1997 New Zealand Film and Television Awards
Best Cinematography: for The Climb
“...Allen's visual approach was always towards naturalism, but usually a heightened sense of naturalism. He had an acute understanding of where that light should come from, and he loved big lights way back and beyond, shafting through frames and windows.”