Obituary
Cinematographer - Ernie Day BSC
It is with deep regret I learnt of the passing of Ernie Day. I knew of him all my professional life - his reputation preceeded - but it wasn't until the mid 60's I had the priviledge of becoming his 1st AC. A relationship which lasted over 10 years, working on many big productions I was proud to be associated. I have moved up and on since then, but never forgetting his set valued standards shown in the field.
There was not a camera operation designed he had not executed and always performed on a geared head, framing the compostion essential to his trained eye. When the director said "how was it for camera" Ernie simply said OK - it was always!!, seldom asking for another take, "nail it in one" he told me.
Freddie Young quoted David Lean saying of Ernie, "he was his eyes the instrument of his vision". Stanley Kubrick after Clockwork Orange said to me that Ernie was the only operator he admired. On the Horseman Ernie threatened to quit because the DP was such an A****ole. Frankenheimer fired the DP that night. Ernie continued the shoot - that's the value this man was to the Director! Many others include James Clavell, John Houston, Lewis Gilbert, Blake Edwards. His body of work non-par.eil.
What a photographer does is artistic interpretation, so, therefore, unquantifiable. It's his authorship of the original work rather than the simple recording of a physical event. The confidence in his ability to handle the many different personalities we encounter in our business, his charm and handsome smile is what I will forever remember.
He is survived by Rosemary his wife, who has nursed him these passed years debilitated from a previous stroke. To his son Mark and daughter Stephanie, I offer my deepest condolences in this time of grief.
The final blow struck him down on November 16th, from which he fought hard but didn't recover.
Our industry has lost a great man.
Doug Milsome BSC ASC
