Biografia
Michael Ferris Cinematography
Michael Ferris . Biography . Camera Operator . Director of Photography
Born in San Diego, Michael Ferris grew up in California and New York. After earning a BA in Psychology and Literature, he served four years of active duty in the United States Air Force. Honorably discharged as a Captain following remote overseas service, he joined Bache and Co. on Wall Street. In 1970, he relocated from the East Coast to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the film industry.
Within three months, he was working with Orson Welles on The Other Side of the Wind (1971). In 1972, he began a close collaboration with John Cassavetes as his cameraman on A Woman Under the Influence, Mikey and Nicky, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, and Opening Night. During this period, he enrolled in UCLA's Masters Program in Film on the G.I. Bill, balancing studies with film projects.
After several years as an assistant cameraman, he joined John A. Alonzo, ASC, as his operator. Together, they worked on Blue Thunder, Cross Creek, Scarface, Internal Affairs, Jo Jo Dancer, Navy Seals, and many others.
Additional operating credits include Colors, Rambo III, Die Hard, Back to the Future II and III, My Life, Speed, Forrest Gump, Waterworld, The Crow: City of Angels, A Very Brady Sequel, She's So Lovely, George of the Jungle, Conspiracy Theory, Twilight, The Truman Show, Paulie: A Parrot's Tale, The Faculty, The Wood, End of Days, Me, Myself & Irene, Blow, Baby Boy, Jurassic Park III, Scary Movie 2, The Majestic, Men in Black II, Blood Work, Constantine, S.W.A.T., Hollywood Homicide, Behind the Smile, Supercross, Seraphim Falls, Fast and Furious 3, Snakes on a Plane, Little Man, The Soloist, The Runaways, Justified, X-Men: First Class, Hawaii Five-O, and CSI: Miami.
He has collaborated with directors including Orson Welles, John Cassavetes, Martin Ritt, Tony Richardson, Richard Donner, Robert Zemeckis, Bruce Beresford, Bruce Joel Rubin, Paul Verhoeven, Mike Figgis, Irvin Kershner, Ricou Browning, Brian De Palma, John Badham, Charles Jarrott, Haskell Wexler, John McTiernan, Philip Noyce, Joan Tewksbury, Jerry Zucker, Peter Hyams, Jan de Bont, David Fincher, Robert Benton, Nick Cassavetes, Dean Semler, Frank Darabont, Barry Sonnenfeld, Pat O'Connor, Robert Rodriguez, Ted Demme, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Bobby and Peter Farrelly, Michael Flatley, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Clint Eastwood, Steve Boyum, Terry Leonard, David Ellis, Damon Wayans, David S. Goyer, Joe Wright, Roman Coppola, Matthew Vaughn, Julian Whatley, Steven Bernstein, and Peter Berg.
His expertise in underwater cinematography, combined with extensive work in commercials, documentaries, industrial, and educational films, has taken him worldwide.
In 2011, Michael Ferris received the Society of Operating Cameramen's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. His career and highlights were featured in the May 2011 issue of the International Cinematographers Guild magazine and Malibu Times in June 2011. An interview discussing his career and work values is available on the ONE Hollywood media website. His full resume can be found on IMDb.
