Freddie Francis
Birth Name:
Frederick William Francis
Birth Place:
London, England, United Kingdom
Profession
Director, Cinematographer, Camera department, Writer
Fast Facts
- Honored by the American Society of Cinematographers in 1997 with an international achievement award
- Served in the Britich Army for seven years, working with their film unit during WWII
- Quote: "I still photograph things in black and white, but the fact that it's colour stock means they come out in colour․ I know that sounds rather facetious ․․․ but I prefer to think in terms of light and shade than in colour․"
- After working in big budget dramas as director of photography, he would gravitate toward low-budget productions in the horror or thriller genres after becoming a director
- An avid cinematographer in his later years, he would often voice his dislike for special effects, as he thought it diminshed a cinematography's artistic vision
- Initially served as an apprentice to photographer Stanley Lupino and worked as a camera operator before taking over directorial duties in 1962
- Completed work on his autobiography only weeks before suffering a stroke in 2006
- Frequent collaborator of cinematographers, Christopher Challis and Oswald Morris
Awards
- 1960Best Cinematography AwardWinner
- 1961Oscar - Best Cinematography, Black-and-White:Winner
- 1980Best Cinematography AwardWinner
- 1981BAFTA Film Award - Best Cinematography:Nominated
- 1981Best Cinematography AwardWinner
- 1981LAFCA Award - Best Cinematography:Nominated
- 1981NSFC Award - Best Cinematography:Nominated
- 1982BAFTA Film Award - Best Cinematography:Nominated
- 1982Special Achievement AwardWinner
- 1986Grand PrizeNominated
- 1990Oscar - Best Cinematography:Winner
- 1990Best Cinematography AwardWinner
- 1991BAFTA Film Award - Best Cinematography:Nominated
- 1991NYFCC Award - Best Cinematographer:Nominated
- 1993BAFTA Film Award - Best Cinematography:Nominated
- 1999Golden FrogNominated
- 1999NYFCC Award - Best Cinematographer:Winner
- 2000Chlotrudis Award - Best Cinematography:Nominated
- 2000Sierra Award - Best Cinematography:Nominated
- 2000NSFC Award - Best Cinematography:Nominated
- 2000OFCS Award - Best Cinematography:Nominated
- 2010Felix - Best Cinematography:Nominated