Background

One of three children born into the first Armenian family to live in Atlanta, Georgia.

Education

Began studying Economics at the University of Georgia, in Athens, unsure of where his career was going.

Exposure to Czech and National Film Board of Canada films at the Montreal Expo prompted a transfer to Ohio University's Art School, a distinguished Film study program.

During his tenure at Ohio University, he met Dr. Joseph Anderson, a noted scholar of Japanese cinema. This began his study of "Direct Cinema" or "Cinema Verite". Anderson taught that studying the human condition would greatly influence an artist's work.

After graduation, he followed his teacher's influence and continued his education with two years of travel around the world to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, Southeast Asia, Japan and the USSR and even visiting the King of the Pygmies in Uganda and Viscounts in Venice, Italy. He also spent 20 months and some 45,000 miles traveling overland in a white Dodge van throughout South America, crisscrossing the Andes six times, climbing Machu Picchu three times and sambaing in Bahia and Rio during Carnival. These travels, which he filmed all the way, greatly influence his cinematic look today.

Influences

While studying at the Maine Photographic Workshop in Rockport, he met Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC. Zsigmond invited him to do slate and run mags on The Deer Hunter. Zsigmond helped him set up a ten year plan and the young cinematographer moved to Hollywood.

Operating on Dick Tracy for Vittorio Storaro, ASC, AIC, was another great career building influence.

As he worked his way through the camera categories, he credits cinematographers Juan Ruiz‐Anchia ASC, Jerzy Zielinski ASC, Michel Brault, Boyan Bazelli ASC, Ian Baker, Donald M. Morgan ASC, Stephen M. Katz ASC, Chris Menges ASC, Theo Van de Sande ASC, and Peter Levy, ASC as helping to define his style.

Projects

First cinematographer job was Prisoner of Rio with Polish director Lech Majewski shot in Brazil. Most interesting HD 24P shoot, directed by Eriq La Salle, was Crazy as Hell. One of his toughest cinematographer jobs was a feature, The Circle, directed by Yuri Zeltser and shot in one continuous take.

Directors of Note

Other directors he's worked with all over the World & the U.S. are Paul Andresen, Warren Beatty, Paul Cade, Francis Ford Coppola, Abel Ferrara, Charles Kanganis, Michael Katleman, Louis Morneau, Albert Pyun, Elvis Restaino, Fred Schepisi, Michael Tolkin, Mario Van Peebles, James Widdoes, Gerry Cohen and Andy Cadiff

Achievements

Especially skilled in the Anamorphic format having done many films in that aspect ratio. Images, a film George made, won the Golden Eagle Award in New York in 1970. Crazy as Hell opened the Pan African Film Festival. Retroactive won First prizes at Sitges, Portugal, and Belgium Film Festivals. Orange, Orange won the Gold Prize at the Houston Film Festival.

Has been nominated for 7 EMMY awards.

Member of IATSE Local 600—International Cinematographers Guild. He has been and continues to be a mentor to ICG members. George makes an effort to always include a student intern on his projects. ASC & ATAS member. Member of AMPAS Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences)

Participates with Schneider, Tiffen, Clairmont, and Panavision for innovation and advancement in the art and technology of cinematography.

Taught at Art Center in Pasadena.

Participated in a film/high def 24P symposium for Warner Brothers & Turner Films.

Personal Information

George's mother, a flower judge and student of Ikebana, infused him with a sense of color, minimalist design, and composition. She was one of the earliest women pilots and a charter member of Amelia Earhart's "99'ers" Club. Courage, boldness, and valor were always present in his Southern upbringing. His Uncle Haig was a symphony conductor in Pittsburgh and in Cincinnati. Cesara Evora and Femi Kuti are favorite influential performers. Primitive art, especially Maconde sculpture, resonates for George as well as the work of Spanish painter Goya.

George lives with his Spanish wife, Visi, who is an accomplished still photographer and designer in her own right. George has 4 children: Milena, Pablo, Rachel, and Robert whom he loves dearly.