Denys Coop
Encyclopedia
Denys Coop BSC
(20 July 1920 – 16 August 1981) was a British
cinematographer
. He is sometimes credited as Denys N. Coop.
As Camera Operator on The Third Man
, he was responsible for many of the now iconic 'Dutch' angles and striking compositions, which had previously not been seen in cinema, but now form an everyday part of film language.
Denys was a past president of the British Society of Cinematographers
.
as apprentice to Freddie Young
. In the 1960s he was Director of Photography on films such as A Kind of Loving
(1962), This Sporting Life
(1963), Billy Liar
(1963) and Bunny Lake Is Missing
(1967).
In addition to the Oscar, Deny's was also awarded a Bafta (the Michael Balcon award) for his work on Superman (as Creative Director of Process Photography). He was also awarded the Bert Easey award by the British Society of Cinematographers.
He was nominated for the Best Cinematography (B&W) Bafta in 1964 for "Billy Liar", in 1965 for "King and Country", and in 1967 for "Bunny Lake is Missing". His black and white cinematography on films such as these, and "This Sporting Life" amongst others earned him the reputation as one of the finest B&W cinematographers of his generation.
(Camera Operator), and his three grandsons, Jason Coop (focus puller), Gareth Coop (Clapper Loader), and Adam Coop (Assistant Director)
British Society of Cinematographers
The British Society of Cinematographers was formed in 1949 by Bert Easey, 23 August 1901 - 28 February 1973, the then head of the Denham and Pinewood studio camera departments.The stated objectives at the formation of the BSC were...
(20 July 1920 – 16 August 1981) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
cinematographer
Cinematography
Cinematography is the making of lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for cinema. It is closely related to the art of still photography...
. He is sometimes credited as Denys N. Coop.
As Camera Operator on The Third Man
The Third Man
The Third Man is a 1949 British film noir, directed by Carol Reed and starring Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Orson Welles, and Trevor Howard. Many critics rank it as a masterpiece, particularly remembered for its atmospheric cinematography, performances, and unique musical score...
, he was responsible for many of the now iconic 'Dutch' angles and striking compositions, which had previously not been seen in cinema, but now form an everyday part of film language.
Denys was a past president of the British Society of Cinematographers
British Society of Cinematographers
The British Society of Cinematographers was formed in 1949 by Bert Easey, 23 August 1901 - 28 February 1973, the then head of the Denham and Pinewood studio camera departments.The stated objectives at the formation of the BSC were...
.
Early life and career
He began his career in the cinemaFilm
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
as apprentice to Freddie Young
Freddie Young
Freddie Young OBE, BSC , was one of Britain's most distinguished and influential cinematographers...
. In the 1960s he was Director of Photography on films such as A Kind of Loving
A Kind of Loving (film)
A Kind of Loving is a 1962 British drama film directed by John Schlesinger, based on the 1960 novel of the same name by Stan Barstow. It stars Alan Bates and June Ritchie as two lovers in 1960s West Yorkshire. The photography was by Denys Coop, and the music by Ron Grainer...
(1962), This Sporting Life
This Sporting Life
This Sporting Life is a 1963 British film based on a novel of the same name by David Storey which won the 1960 Macmillan Fiction Award. It tells the story of a rugby league footballer, Frank Machin, in Wakefield, a mining area of Yorkshire, whose romantic life is not as successful as his sporting...
(1963), Billy Liar
Billy Liar (film)
Billy Liar is a 1963 film based on the novel by Keith Waterhouse. It was directed by John Schlesinger and stars Tom Courtenay as Billy and Julie Christie as Liz, one of his three girlfriends. Mona Washbourne plays Mrs. Fisher, and Wilfred Pickles played Mr. Fisher...
(1963) and Bunny Lake Is Missing
Bunny Lake Is Missing
Bunny Lake Is Missing is a 1965 British psychological thriller film directed and produced by Otto Preminger, who filmed it in black and white widescreen format in London. It was based on the novel of the same name by Merriam Modell. The score is by Paul Glass and the opening theme is often heard as...
(1967).
Awards and nominations
In 1979, he was one of a team of artists to win a special Oscar for visual effects in Superman.In addition to the Oscar, Deny's was also awarded a Bafta (the Michael Balcon award) for his work on Superman (as Creative Director of Process Photography). He was also awarded the Bert Easey award by the British Society of Cinematographers.
He was nominated for the Best Cinematography (B&W) Bafta in 1964 for "Billy Liar", in 1965 for "King and Country", and in 1967 for "Bunny Lake is Missing". His black and white cinematography on films such as these, and "This Sporting Life" amongst others earned him the reputation as one of the finest B&W cinematographers of his generation.
Personal
He has been followed into the film industry by his son, Trevor CoopTrevor Coop
-Career history:Trevor began his career in the film industry at Denham Labs in the 1960s. He was soon working as clapper loader on films such as Stanley Kubrick's 2001, The Battle of Britain, Ryan's Daughter and Quatermass and the Pit....
(Camera Operator), and his three grandsons, Jason Coop (focus puller), Gareth Coop (Clapper Loader), and Adam Coop (Assistant Director)