As a long-time aficionado of cinema, I can confidently say that Adam Somner was nothing short of a cinematic titan. His career spanning decades and collaborating with some of the most revered directors in Hollywood is a testament to his unparalleled talent and dedication to the craft.
Adam Somner, an esteemed assistant director and producer who worked with notable filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson, Alejandro Iñárritu, and Ridley Scott, passed away on Wednesday due to thyroid cancer in Studio City. He was 57 years old.
Lately, Somner has been working as both a producer and assistant director on Anderson’s new Warner Bros. movie featuring Leonardo DiCaprio. He was included in the production team for Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza,” a film that received an Oscar nomination for best picture.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Somner began his career aiding in film projects like “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” before transitioning into assistant directing. He served as the third assistant director on Steven Spielberg’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” and collaborated with the director on various films such as “West Side Story,” “Ready Player One,” “Lincoln,” “Munich,” and “War of the Worlds.
In a statement, Steven Spielberg acknowledged Adam Somner, stating, “The title ‘assistant director’ doesn’t fully capture what Adam Somner meant to me and the impact he had on my films – just as my left arm is more than just an aid to my right. He served as both AD and producer, and he carried out these roles with the same level of dedication. He was passionate about cinema. He loved being on set. It was his playground. He was a team player, sometimes leading and other times following, and it was often difficult to distinguish who was guiding whom. He made every new crew member feel like part of the family. He was a uniter, and in challenging situations, his British working-class humor, quick wit, and hidden cursing, laughter, and backup plans could swiftly resolve issues. He was a pioneer in his field and an inspiration to anyone aspiring for a career in film production – understanding that it is as creative as it is organized. Working without Adam will never feel the same.
On the films “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” Scorsese worked closely with Somner in roles as the first assistant director and sometimes as a co-producer or producer.
Martin Scorsese expressed, “Adam Somner contributed as an Assistant Director and Producer on three of my films, but his impact went beyond what any title could truly capture. Adam possessed a remarkable collection of skills – the strategic mind and determination of a military commander on a battlefield; an uncanny knack for collaborating with directors much like two dancers in sync or musicians improvising together; and an exceptional talent for arranging and coordinating action within the frame. Adam Somner personified and demonstrated all of these qualities. I could not have made ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ or ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ without him, and we were already preparing for another project. His death came prematurely, and I will deeply mourn his loss. He cherished ‘making films,’ as he often said. He was an exceptional collaborator, one I would be fortunate to work with again, and I know that other directors feel the same way.
Besides “Licorice Pizza,” Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest project, Martin Scorsese has also teamed up with him on several other films such as “Phantom Thread,” “Inherent Vice,” “The Master,” and the critically acclaimed “There Will Be Blood.
In a statement, Anderson expressed that Adam’s passion for filmmaking surpassed anyone else in the film industry’s history. For him, filmmaking was not just a job, but a source of sustenance. He made everyone who collaborated with him feel secure. Remarkably, he could envision multiple scenarios simultaneously and had contingency plans for each contingency plan. Working alongside him was like shifting a salt shaker across a table effortlessly, as he handled mountains, trucks, and people with equal ease. It was truly captivating to witness his work ethic.
His ability to create outstanding films was unmatched, and his intuition and talent were rivaled only by his incredible wit and compassion. However, what truly set him apart was his generosity.
Somner’s collaborative works with Ridley Scott encompass the movies “Black Hawk Down,” “Kingdom of Heaven,” “Gladiator,” and “G.I. Jane.
On “The Revenant,” he functioned as a second unit director and assistant director under Alejandro Inarritu, and was recognized as part of the DGA-winning directing crew. Additionally, he contributed to the production of “Birdman.
He leaves behind his wife Carmen Ruiz de Huidobro, as well as his children Olivia and Bosco, and his sibling Mark Somner.
A DGA scholarship in his name will be established with donation details forthcoming.
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2024-11-30 02:18