John Alcott

Who was John Alcott?

John Alcott, B.S.C. was an English cinematographer best known for his four collaborations with director Stanley Kubrick; these are 2001: A Space Odyssey, for which he took over as lighting cameraman from Geoffrey Unsworth in mid-shoot, A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, the film for which he won his Oscar, and The Shining. Alcott died from a heart attack in Cannes, France in July 1986; he was 55. He received a tribute at the end of his last film No Way Out starring Kevin Costner.

John Alcott was born in Isleworth England, in the year 1931, to the father of Movie Executive Arthur Alcott.

At a young age, Alcott started his career in film by becoming a clapper boy, which was the lowest position in the camera crew chain. As time progressed however, he moved his way up and eventually became the third highest position of the camera following the lighting cameraman and the main camera operator. His position was extremely important, as his job was to adjust, focus and measure the lens and distance between the actor or object being shot and the camera itself.

Alcott's big break was given to him by Stanley Kubrick, who was a master cinematographer, director, producer and screenwriter.