Pitof

Jean-Christophe "Pitof" Comar (born 4 July 1957) is a retired French visual effects supervisor and director notable for '' Vidocq'' and ''Catwoman''.

Early life

Pitof was born Jean-Christophe Comar on 4 July 1957 in Paris. From an early age, he harboured an interest in photography. As a teenager, he built a photography studio in the basement of his parents' house and landed a job as a photographer's assistant.

Career

Pitof entered the film industry in 1976 as an assistant director and film editor. He branched out into visual effects in 1986 when he co-founded Duran Duboi, a post-production studio. He continued working as a visual effects supervisor and assistant director until 2001, when his directorial debut, the supernatural thriller film '' Vidocq'' was released. The film was notable for being the first motion picture to be shot using entirely digital cinematography.

In 2004, Pitof made his English-language debut with the Hollywood film ''Catwoman'', starring Halle Berry and Sharon Stone. The film was critically panned, and is considered one of the worst movies of all time, and Pitof was awarded the Razzie Award for Worst Director for the film.

Pitof was set to direct the US-Chinese co-production '' Empires of the Deep'' although he eventually dropped out.

Filmography

Director

*'' Vidocq'' (2001)
*''Catwoman'' (2004)
*'' Fire and Ice: The Dragon Chronicles'' (2008) ( TV)

Second unit director

*''Alien Resurrection'' (1997)

Producer

*''Closer Apart'' (2012)
*''The Coin'' (2012)
*''The Activist'' (2013)

Writer

*'' Vidocq'' (2001)
*''Le pistolet'' (2003)

Visual effects supervisor

*'' Asterix & Obelix Take On Caesar'' (1999)
*'' The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc'' (1999)
*''Alien Resurrection'' (1997)
*''Didier'' (1997)
*''Fantome avec Chauffeur'' (1996)
*''Beaumarchais'' (1996)
*''Fallait pas'' (1996)
*''The City of Lost Children'' (1995)
*'' Happiness is in the Field'' (1995)
*''Ma Femme me Quitte'' (1995)
*''Dead Tired'' (1994)
*''The Daughter of d'Artagnan'' (1994)
*''Blue Helmet'' (1994)
*'' Giorgino'' (1994)
*''Montparnasse Pondichery'' (1994)
*''Cash-Cash'' (1994)
*'' The Visitors'' (1993)
*''The Thirst for Gold'' (1993)
*''Fanfan & Alexandre'' (1993)
*''Metisse'' (1993)
*''My Name Is Victor'' (1993)
*' (1992)
*''Delicatessen'' (1991)

Awards and accolades

;2005
* Kids' Choice Award (nominated) for ''Catwoman''
* CNOMA Award for Best Make-Up for ''Catwoman''
*Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director for ''Catwoman''
*World Stunt Award (nominated) for ''Catwoman''

;2001
*Silver Grand Prize of European Fantasy Film at Fantasporto for ''Vidocq''
*International Fantasy Film Award for Best Special Effects at Fantasporto for ''Vidocq''
*International Fantasy Film Award for Best Film (nominated) at Fantasporto for ''Vidocq''
*Best Film at Sitges for ''Vidocq''
*Citizen Kane Award to the Director Revelation at Sitges for ''Vidocq''
*Best Visual Effects at Sitges for ''Vidocq''
*Best Makeup Effects at Sitges for ''Vidocq''
*Best Original Score at Sitges for ''Vidocq''

;1999
*Solutions Productions Achievement in Post-Production Award for ''Asterix & Obelix vs Caesar''

;1998
*Saturn Award for Best Special Effects (nominated) for ''Alien Resurrection''

;1997
* Imagina Award for Best Visual Effects (second prize) for ''Alien Resurrection''

;1996
*Imagina Golden Teapot for "Homage to Jesse and Carl"
*MIFED Golden Prize for "Homage to Jesse and Carl"
*Master of Visual Effects in Paris for "Orangina the flipper"

;1995
*Best Use of Visual Effects at Spotitalia for "Mulino Bianco"
* "Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres" (One of the French highest cultural honors awarded by the Minister of Culture)

;1994
*Technical Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival for ''Dead Tired''

References

External links

*
*

Pitof at ECI Global Talent Management

{{Authority control

1957 births
Living people
French film directors
French male screenwriters
French screenwriters