Michael Slovis of ‘Breaking Bad’ visits May 5

‌

Michael Slovis, an Emmy Award-winning cinematographer, director and RIT alumnus, will speak at Gordon Field House May 5.

An Emmy Award-winning cinematographer, director and Rochester Institute of Technology alumnus—recognized for his groundbreaking visual direction in the AMC hit series Breaking Bad and other acclaimed shows—returns to RIT next week.

Michael Slovis, a professional photographic illustration major who graduated from RIT in 1976, will present an evening “Behind the Lens” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 5, inside Gordon Field House. A Q&A with the audience will follow his talk. During his visit, Slovis also will tour the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences and School of Film and Animation and speak to a number of RIT classes.

The award-winning cinematographer and director will share his experience and insight from his work on numerous movies and TV shows, including Breaking Bad, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Fringe. Slovis will discuss his decision to shoot on film, the difference between directing photography and directing actors, and the hidden visual effects of Breaking Bad, among other topics.

In addition, he will talk about his upcoming projects. Slovis was recently named a cinematographer and director for upcoming episodes of the new Fox production Gracepoint, a 10-part adaptation of the award-winning BBC drama Broadchurch. He joined the production to work on the latest episodes now filming in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Slovis began taking pictures as a teenager and won the New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival with a photograph that helped earn him admission to RIT’s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences. After graduating from RIT, he later studied cinematography at New York University and began working as a gaffer on motion pictures, commercials and in television.

Slovis began his career as director of photography for independent films in New York. In 1995, he photographed the Sundance Film Festival film Party Girl, followed by other independent films, direct-to-DVD movies and pilots. He returned from Europe after 9/11 to stay closer to home and family, transitioning to television with the series Ed on NBC. In 2007, he completed two-and-a-half years as director of photography on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, for which he won the 2006 Emmy Award for outstanding cinematography and was nominated again in 2007. He moved to AMC in 2008, when he began shooting three seasons of Breaking Bad, which earned him two more Emmy nominations. He also directed two episodes. More recently, Slovis has photographed the pilot for ABC’s Castle, Fringe on Fox, Royal Pains for USA Network, Rubicon for AMC, and Running Wilde for Fox. In 2010, he became a member of the American Society of Cinematographers.

Slovis lives in Montclair, N.J., with his wife.

The College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, the Offices of Development and Alumni Relations, Cooperative Education & Career Services, Student Affairs, and University News Services is sponsoring the event. Parking will be available in D Lot. Admission is free, and seating is still available. Register online. For information, call 1-866-748-2586.