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Geraldine Brianne Murphy (April 1, 1933 – August 20, 2003) was a famous cinematographer. She was both the first female director of photography on a major studio film and the first female who became a member of the American Society of Cinematographers Guild. Murphy was seen as a pioneer for women in the film industry.

Biography:
Murphy was born in London, England where her father was working on the railroad in Britain. Her parent’s were both middle class Americans, however her whole family was living in the UK due to her father’s career. With the threat of the war in England coming, the family made the decision to move back to America. At a young age Murphy’s’ parents divorced which led to her becoming self sufficient and independent. She created her own opportunities and fought to make her way in a “man’s world” of cinematography Once she moved to Hollywood she fell in love with a man named Jerry Warren who she went on to marry, they eventually divorced before having any children.

Career:
In the 1950s, Brianne Murphy started her career in the film industry in New York. Murphy was educated in English and American schools before she set her sights on an acting career and attended the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City and Pembroke College. During the filming of a movie called “On the Waterfront” in New York, She made an effort to hang around the set and eventually was asked to run errands for the production manager. After doing this favour, the director on set agreed to let Murphy watch the rest of the filming process. This allowed her to gain more insight into what went into making the film as well as taught her how to use the equipment properly. She took this as a learning experience and started to search for more jobs in the industry. 'In order to become "more American", she worked as a trick rider with a rodeo for a season. In 1954, she "crashed" the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden on opening night and performed as a clown for the entire evening. The resulting publicity helped Murphy land a job as a still photographer with the traveling circus and eventually led to her to Hollywood. She soon began working with low-budget filmmakers Jerry Warren and Ralph Brooke, both of whom she married.' While working on these low-budget films, Murphy was promoted to production manager due to her strategic decision to save money by using the same crew and actors and shooting movies back to back. While working in production management she would often use herself as a second cameraman on set, once again getting more hands on experience.

Murphy’s career really began to take off in 1975 when Richard Glouner, a member of the American Society of Cinematographers, who had worked with Murphy as a script supervisor in the past, had to leave a show he was working on early and suggested Murphy take over for him. 'In 1980, she was the first female director of photography on a major studio picture, Fatso. In 1982, Murphy won an Academy Award for Scientific and Engineering Achievement. She was also nominated for four Emmys for cinematography, winning for outstanding cinematography for the series Highway to Heaven in 1985.'

Brianne Murphy was recognized as the woman who brought women’s rights into the film industry. Murphy struggled to get jobs at times due to the fact that she was a female attempting to make a place in a male dominated industry. She attempted to join her local union branch in 1973 where she was told by a union officer that she would be accepted “over his dead body”. This only encouraged Murphy to work harder, she eventually made it into this union being the first female executive board member to join. In order to avoid this discrimination, she would at times use an abbreviated version of her name “Brian” and would talk with a deep voice on the phone as a way to improve her chances of getting a job. She would also use her initials G.B. to avoid revealing that she was a woman.

Filmography:
Cinematographer credits:

·        Man Beast (1956)

·       Wonder Woman (1974)

·        Five Finger Discount. (1975)

·        Breaking away (1980)

·        Highway to Heaven (1985)

·        There Were Times, Dear (1987)

·        Mulligan Stew (1972-1981)

·       ABC Afterschool Special (1972-1997)

·       Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983)

·       Trapper John MD (1979-1986)

·       Father Murphy (1981-1984)

·       In the Heat of the Night (1988-1994)

Death:
On August 20, 2003, Brianne Murphy died suffering from a combination of lung cancer and a brain tumor, both of which she had been struggling with since April. [3] At the age of 70, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico she passed away.[1]

Awards:
Daytime Emmy Awards

Won: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children's Programming For: NBC Special Treat (For the episode "Five Finger Discount", 1975)

Emmy Awards

Nominated: Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or a Special For: There Were Times, Dear (1987)

Nominated: Outstanding Cinematography for a Series For: Highway to Heaven (For the episode "A Match Made in Heaven", 1985)

Nominated: Outstanding Cinematography for a Series For: Breaking Away (For the episode "La Strada", 1980)

Academy Award

Won: Scientific and Engineering Award Plaque for the concept, design and manufacture of the MISI Camera Insert Car and Process Trailer (Shared with Donald Schisler, 1982)

Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards

Recipient - Crystal Award for outstanding women who, through their endurance and the excellence of their work, have helped to expand the role of women within the entertainment industry.[4] (1984)

Recipient - Lucy Award in recognition of her excellence and innovation in her creative works that have enhanced the perception of women through the medium of television.[4] (1995)