The August 1980 issue of AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER has two major
articles on THE SHINING's production. One is a lengthy interview with
Kubrick's cinematographer, John Alcott, and the other is an article by
Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown. . . .
From Garrett Brown's article:
"In 1974 Stanley Kubrick receives a print of the 35mm demonstration film
shot with the original prototype of what would later be called the
"Steadicam." Kubrick's telexed response is reprinted below:"
VIA WUI + CINEDEVCO LSA HAWKFILMS ELST [This would be Elstree Studios,
where Kubrick usually works.]
TO ED DI GIULIO 2# 11 74
DEAR ED,
DEMO REEL ON HAND HELD MYSTERY STABILIZER WAS SPECTACULAR AND YOU CAN
COUNT ON ME AS A CUSTOMER. IT SHOULD REVOLUTIONIZE THE WAY FILMS ARE
SHOT. IF YOU ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT PROTECTING ITS DESIGN BEFORE YOU
FULLY PATENT IT, I SUGGEST YOU DELETE THE TWO OCCASIONS ON THE REEL
WHERE THE SHADOW ON THE GROUND GIVES THE SKILLED COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE
PHOTO INTERPRETER A FAIRLY CLEAR REPRESENTATION OF A MAN HOLDING A POLE
WITH ONE HAND, WITH SOMETHING OR OTHER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POLE WHICH
APPEARS TO BE SLOWLY MOVING. BUT MY LIPS ARE SEALED. I HAVE A QUESTION:
IS THERE A MINIMUM HEIGHT AT WHICH IT CAN BE USED?
BEST REGARDS,
STANLEY KUBRICK
HAWKFILMS ELST CINEDEVCO LSA
(J.D.)
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