An American photography director and photographer from the first half of the 20th century notable for pioneering 3D films and working on both movies and series. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Cinematography with Sunrise (1927/28).
Struss' works:
Tropes found across Struss' works:
- In-Camera Effects:
- He made pioneering work with filters. He would have actors' makeup be done in red or green and then put red or green filters to take them out of the picture. The filter could be slowly changed and the make-up would be changed.
- Ben-Hur (1925): Jesus healing the Hur Women is done by color filters removing the color-contrasting red makeup.
- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931): After Jekyll takes the potion, the camera holds on to his face in an unbroken take for several seconds, during which his face visibly begins to change, before he staggers out of the shot (and over to the makeup table to get his fangs and wig applied). The effect was done using colored makeup and matching camera filters/lighting which rendered the Hyde makeup invisible but could be dialed down as the camera was running, resulting in Hyde's facial features gradually gaining prominence.
- Silent Movie: Most of Struss' production don't have any spoken dialogue because that technology was yet to be developed.
