Career
He is the president of American Society of Cinematographers. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, he began his career as an assistant cameraman on features, episodic television, commercials and documentaries while attending Columbia University. Between those assignments, he photographed a number of unrecognized student and independent films.
But in 1993, his black and white effort, Federal Hill, was met with widespread critical acclaim.
With regard to his work, The New York Post’s Thelma Adams wrote, “..cinematographer Richard Crudo’s images have the clarity of ebony and pearls..” while David Stratton of Variety also praised Richard"s work in his review of the film. Ironically, Federal Hill, which he also co-produced, later became the first contemporary feature to be colorized for home video release.
Subsequent to that, Crudo’s career grew to include such notable feature credits as American Buffalo, Outside Providence, American Pie, Down to Earth, Out Cold, Bring lieutenant On Again and Grind. As an aside to his feature efforts, the 2000s have seen Crudo become active as a shooter and director of commercials and documentaries.
In 2009 he directed the actionhorror feature Against the Dark for Sony Home Entertainment.
During 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 he contributed additional photography the Forex Channel series, Justified. In 2011 he wrote and directed the feature film Dirty People. Crudo is also an active stills photographer.
Portfolios include art, architecture and fashion work created with both photochemical and digital processes.
In June 2013, Crudo was elected President of the American Society of Cinematographers. He is also a Past President of that organization, having served consecutive one-year terms from 2003 through 2006.
He also served on the Society"s Board of Governors from 2002–2006, 2007–2010 and 2011-2014. He is a frequent guest lecturer at universities and film schools across the United States and is a regular contributor to American Cinematographer and other industry publications.
Crudo has also written forwards for a number of books as well as a chapter for the American Cinematographer Film Manual.
Additionally, he is a leading proponent in the motion picture industry’s drive to establish standards for digital imaging workflow. - Cinematographers Branch Executive Committee, 2003, 2008, 2009
- Chairman, Cinematographers Branch Executive Committee, 2012, 2013
- Board of Governors, 2011-2014 Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
- Cinematographers Branch
American Society of Cinematographers
- President, 2003–2006, 2013
- Board of Governors, 2002–2006, 2007–2010, 2011–2014
- Vice President, 2011, 2012, 2013
Canadian Society of Cinematographers Full Member
Canon Camera Explorer of Light
Digital Cinema Society
International Cinematographers Guild, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 600 National Film Preservation Board for the Library of Congress
Royal Photographic Society Fellow
University of California, Los Angeles Cinematographer-in-Residence Spring Term 2011.