American cinematographer
Son of William H. Brown and Lucille Browne.
Had been a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) since 1919, shortly after the organization was chartered. Served as Vice President from 1924-25.
Former still photographer and lab technician, first associated with director D.W. Griffith as minor actor, then assistant to cinematographer G.W. Bitzer. Invented the double-printing technique used for the crucifixion scenes in Intolerance: Loves Struggle Throughout the Ages (1916) , on which he worked as second cameraman. Later perfected the miniature projection process, used for magnification from small models (for example, King Kong ). In the late 1930s started a new career, writing or adapting screenplays for several B-productions, several of which starred Boris Karloff.
Began his long career as a 16-year-old assistant cameraman to D.W. Griffith.
Worked in the lab for Kinemacolor Co., a production company that shot its films in a color process called Kinemacolor, one of the first--if not the first--studios to turn out full-color films.
[Describing his days at Kinemacolor Co.
