Here’s a look at the July 2010 issue of American Cinematographer magazine, which covers several more summer blockbusters, as well as some intriguing indie releases and popular television series.

Inception (Warner Bros.)
AC was granted special access on this extremely secretive production, which continues the wildly successful collaboration between Wally Pfister, ASC and director Christopher Nolan (Memento, Batman Begins, The Prestige, The Dark Knight). The filmmakers will analyze their approach to the complex, highly confidential script for this mindbending sci-fi thriller, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio as the leader of a technologically advanced team of criminals who invade people’s dreams to extract sensitive information and influence their actions. Despite the show’s “closed set” status, AC was allowed to visit the filmmakers during production and will present a wealth of inside information about Pfister’s innovative cinematography.

The Last Airbender (Paramount)
Andrew Lesnie, ASC, ACS teamed with director M. Night Shyamalan on this fantasy adventure film about a boy who must embrace his wizardly powers to restore peace between four ancient tribes of the world: The Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation and the Air Nomads. Lesnie will outline his approach to the movie’s effects-heavy visuals and location work throughout Shymalan’s home state of Pennsylvania.

I Am Love (Magnolia Pictures)
Yorick Lesaux contributed lyrical visuals to this intriguing art-house film about a middle-aged Russian woman (Tilda Swinton) who begins an affair with a young Italian chef after years of feeling stifled by her marriage to a business magnate. Lesaux will discuss his use of locations throughout Italy and his collaboration with director Luca Guadagnino on the strikingly elegant picture.

The Tudors (Showtime)
Director of photography Ousama Rawi will summarize his outstanding work on this lavish period series, which concludes its four-year run in June. Rawi, who has earned an Emmy Award, two CSC Awards and an ASC Award nomination for the show’s cinematography, will offer an overview of his approach to the series’ medieval milieu, which dramatizes the reign and marriages of England’s King Henry VIII.

The July issue’s departments will also offer illuminating insights:

• Short Takes will feature insights from cinematographer Par Ekberg about his work on the ambitious, eye-catching music video “Telephone,” featuring Lady Gaga and Beyoncé.
• Production Slate will offer interviews with cinematographers Sidney Sidell and Joseph Gallagher about their work on the television series Lie to Me, as well as a piece about Marcel Zyskind’s contributions to the indie thriller The Killer Inside Me, which caused a stir at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
• Post Focus will present an overview of the restoration work that New York’s Museum of Modern Art performed on Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s 1973 sci-fi film World on a Wire, shot in Germany and Paris by Ulrich Prinz and future ASC member Michael Ballhaus.
• ASC Close-Up will offer a profile of Society member Tom Del Ruth, who has earned countless awards and nominations for his cinematography on the television series The West Wing, ER, The X-Files and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.