Sandi Sissel

Sandra "Sandi" Sue Sissel (born August 9, 1949)^[1] is an American cinematographer, director and producer. Her interest in photography was apparent as early as high school, where she was a photojournalist for her school paper.^[2] She is best known for documentaries such as Chicken Ranch, The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition ^[3], and Mother Teresa (1986) as well as TV shows like 60 Minutes, and feature films like Salaam Bombay!, Master and Commander Far Side of the World ^[4] and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.^[1] She has been a member of the American Society of Cinematographers since 1994, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences^[5] since 2004, and the Australian Cinematographers Society ^[6] since 2017.

She started college in 1967. She pursued her interests and desire to become a reporter by studying journalism and television.^[2] While she still wanted to pursue journalism, she did contribute to a few small films during her time in college. After completing this degree, she moved to Wisconsin where she pursued a graduate degree and filmed for the University of Wisconsin.^[2] After this she moved to New York City, where she soon got a job with both NBC and later ABC.^[2] During this time, she contributed as cinematographer for "The Wobblies" and assisted in camera or electrical work for Best Boy, Paul Jacobs and the Nuclear Gang, Free Voice of Labor: The Jewish Anarchists, Fame, No Nukes and "Rush".^[2] After working for ABC for a few years, she eventually decided to pursue a career that focused primarily on cinematography for documentaries and feature films^[2] in Los Angeles. In her pursuit of this career she has gained a great deal of respect from her colleagues as a female working behind the camera. She taught "Advanced Cinematography Techniques" and "Advanced Cinematography Practicum" at Tisch School of the Arts.^[5] from 2001 until 2015. Sissel adopted Raju Barnad (now known as Bernard Chamblis Sissel), one of the real-life street children who was cast in Salaam Bombay! ^[7] In 2005 she married Kelly Drummond Cawthon with whom she has two children Joshua Cawthon and Jack Thomas Cawthon.

Sandi is best known for her work as a cinematographer. She has a very impressive filmography that includes many well known, important documentaries. Her interest in being behind the camera may have originated from her father's career as a photographer during her childhood.^[2]

Sandi has had experience teaching at the University of Wisconsin,^[1] and Tisch School of the Arts.^[5] In both cases she has taught film related classes.

• Vision Award Nescens (1998)
• Women in Film Crystal Awards (1998)
• Television Award, nominated (2001)
• Best photography, British Academy of Film and Television Awards (2001)
• Golden Satellite Award, nomination (2004)
• Best cinematographer, International Press Academy (2004)