June / 2010

In Memoriam

Derek Vanlint csc
By Don Angus and Wyndham Wise

Derek Vanlint csc, best known for his creative camera work on the classic 1979 sci-fi film Alien, died February 23 in Toronto after a short illness. He was 78 years old. A memorial for friends and admirers was held at Toronto’s Pinewood Studios in April.

Born in London, England, prior to the Second World War, Vanlint was conscripted into the post-war British Army, which is where he learnt his craft. Released from the Army, he went into the business of making television commercials for the new medium. He set up shop in the Soho district of London, and this is where he met and first worked with the future director of Alien, Ridley Scott.

Vanlint came to Canada in the mid-1970s to work in Toronto shooting commercials, but was called back to England by Scott to be his DOP on Alien. In 2003 Scott paid tribute to Vanlint at the Toronto International Film Festival when he released the director’s cut of the film. Vanlint was hailed for his brooding opening scene with the camera panning the corridors of the silent Nostromo space ship. The challenging shoot involved working with models and miniatures of the ship and planets as well as the aliens created by a special effects team. He was nominated for a British Society of Cinematographers award, and the film won an Oscar for its visual effects.

In 1981 Vanlint was the DOP on the fantasy adventure Dragonslayer (Oscar-nominated for its visual effects) and both director and cinematographer on the 2000 Canada/U.S. co-production The Spreading Ground, starring Dennis Hopper and Tom McCamus. He was also behind the lens for the miniature shots of the railway explosion and island fireball on X-Men (2000), which was shot in Vancouver.

He made Toronto his home in the mid-1980s, joined the CSC, and continued to work at a furious pace, creating spots for British Airways, GM, Bell Canada, Ford, Kellogg’s, Renault, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Guinness, Levi’s, Maxwell House, VISA, Panasonic, Ikea and Suzuki, sometimes assuming all the functions of director, DOP, operator and art director. His commercial work was so lucrative he even turned down the opportunity to shoot Blade Runner for Scott. His good friend James Gordon, a grip on many of his commercial shoots, remembers Vanlint as a “class act” and a “brilliant individual.” Apparently, according to Gordon, Vanlint had an encyclopedic knowledge of optics and lighting to the point where he could light a set without the use of a light meter. He had a photographic memory, a passion for art and a punishing work ethic.

His short films included Jimmy Pacheo and Rosa’s Time, which debuted at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. In the world of film, few cinematographers have created a body of work that has created milestones by which others are measured. Vanlint defined a look and feel for film that has been emulated by cinematographers from London to Los Angeles.

Five-times married, Vanlint is survived by his two daughters, Jacqueline and Jo-Anne.


Kenneth Davey csc
By Susan Davey

Peacefully, on May 7, 2010, in Victoria, BC, Kenneth Richard Davey csc, 94, passed away to join his wife, Violet, whom he loved and adored. Ken leaves behind his daughter, Susan Davey (Ed East), granddaughters Jane Gagne (Mike Gagne), Emily Gingera and great-grandson Christian Kenneth Marc Gagne. Ken’s pride and joy came in the form of his family. He was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather and he devoted his entire life to them.

Ken attended St. John’s High school in Winnipeg and excelled as an amateur athlete, winning provincial awards in barrel jumping, speed skating and ski jumping. Ken also excelled in academics and while his interests were in the medical profession, financial hardship prevented him from going on to university.

Ken began his career in the photographic department of the Hudson’s Bay Company, where he discovered a love for film, eventually becoming a lifetime member of the CSC. He went on to open his own very successful film and advertising businesses. Ken was a very resourceful man, self-taught in the film industry and able to construct his own processing lab. He undertook contract work for CBC-TV and CJAY-TV in Winnipeg and CKND in North Dakota, filming events and processing film. Ken had a passion for sports and he is most proud of the time he spent associated with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

He will be lovingly remembered as a creative, brilliant and amazing man who valued kindness and generosity above all. He was a man who always accomplished what he set out to do. He will be greatly missed.

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