Brooks Grad Michael Givens is Director of Photography on Wide-Release Independent Film: 'The Celestine Prophecy' Opens on May 2 in Hollywood

Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) May 6, 2006

Michael Givens, a Brooks Institute graduate who has achieved international acclaim for his commercial production work as a director, cinematographer and photographer, is currently being recognized for his efforts as director of photography on the film ‘The Celestine Prophecy’. The movie, based upon the best-selling novel by James Redfield, opened on May 2 at Mann’s Chinese 6 theaters in Hollywood, and has already be previewed at select theaters nationwide.

The first of a trilogy of films, ‘The Celestine Prophecy’ is about a man’s search for a sacred manuscript in the Peruvian rain forest, and the many obstacles and amazements that come to him along the way. The prophecy, itself, predicts a worldwide awakening, arising within all religious traditions, that moves humanity toward a deeper experience of spirituality. When the book was released, it achieved popularity worldwide as a work of fiction, fantasy and hope. The film is directed by Armand Mastroianni and stars Matthew Settle, Thomas Kretschmann, Sarah Wayne Callies, Annabeth Gish, Hector Elizondo, Joaquim de Almeida and Jurgen Prochnow.

Givens, whose photography and directing credits include 35 feature films and hundreds of commercial productions, was brought on board by Mastroinanni to apply his unique skills to rendering the fantastical vision of the novel in an innovative and yet cost-containing manner. He elected to do so by employing digital imaging (DI) process as his creative tool.

“As an independent film, we didn’t have a huge budget,” he notes. “I sold the director and producers on using DI both to offset production costs and to create some outstanding effects. For a journeyman director of photography with solid filmmaking skills, who takes the time to light and shoot the scene properly, the sky is the limit on what can be achieved.”

Givens, who graduated from Brooks Institute in 1980 with a Bachelor’s degree in Motion Picture production, began his career as a still photographer. He subsequently moved on to film, becoming a director of photography for noted directors including Ridley Scott, Steven Friers, Philip Borsos and others. Among his film credits are ‘Coyote Ugly’ and ‘Rebel Private’, and he has directed numerous successful corporate projects for companies including UPS, Credit Swiss, Pepsi and Visa.

About Brooks Institute of Photography

With campuses in Santa Barbara and Ventura, Calif., Brooks Institute of Photography has a 60-year legacy of providing world-class visual arts education. The Brooks Institute offers Master of Science, Bachelor of Arts and Associate of Arts degrees and Diploma programs in the following fields of study -- professional photography, visual journalism, film and video production and visual communication. Brooks’ graduates are visible nationally and internationally, working for distinguished organizations including National Geographic, Smithsonian, Los Angeles Times and other national media outlets, including Hallmark Publishing, Cousteau Society, HBO, Kodak and other industry leaders in visual media fields. For more information about Brooks Institute of Photography, visit http://www.brooks.edu.

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