R.I.P. Bruce Sparks - Director of Photography

The Alternative Cinema / Pop Cinema has been notified of the passing of Director of Photography Bruce Sparks. He shot Joe Sarno's "Inga" and Carter Steven's "Punk Rock" (and many, many other films). He will be missed.

From Film Historian Michael Bowen:
"I learned Tuesday night from Jenifer Sparks Schaffner, Bruce Sparks' daughter, that Bruce took his own life on April 21. He was 75 years old.
I was lucky enough to interview Bruce on the phone on two or three occasions and to meet him in person in 2004 at the Lake Placid Film Festival, which generously invited Bruce to attend a tribute to his friend and long-time collaborator Joe Sarno. He was certainly one of the most innately intelligent and insightful people I have ever met and I am deeply grateful for the time he spent discussing his work with me.
I know his passing is noted as well by his friend and collaborator Mal Worob (aka, Carter Stevens) who said in a recent email:
"He was a man of rare talent and I can honestly say...he single-handedly made me a better filmmaker."
I thought those of you who knew and worked with Bruce "back in the day" would want to know of his passing."
All best wishes,
Michael Bowen
mjbpro1@rcn.com

From Director Carter Stevens:
"I have just gotten word that Bruce Sparks passed away. Most of you won't know his name but he was the BEST Cinematographer in the Independent / Sexploitation world of cinema. He was Joe Sarno's main cameraman and was my first camera on about half of my features. He was a man of rare talent and I can honestly say I learned more about camera work and lighting from him than I ever did in college. He single handedly made me a better filmmaker. I will miss him."

clip segment from the "Joe Sarno Lake Placid Film Festival" mini-doc
Copyright 2004 Retro-Seduction Cinema
www.RetroSeductionCinema.com

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Inga
• Punk Rock
• Bruce Sparks
• Joe Sarno
• Carter Stevens
• Sexploitation
• New York