Victor J. Kemper

A prolific director of photography whose films run the gamut from broad comedies to character-driven dramas, Victor J. Kemper may not be as well-known as some of his colleagues, but he is a respected and talented practitioner of his craft. Born and raised in Newark, NJ, he began his career in the nascent television industry in the late 1940s, working as a sound mixer, sound recorder, floor manager and technical director. After a brief detour operating a hat manufacturing factory with a cousin in Florida, Kemper returned to New Jersey and his true calling. When he learned of a training course offered by Ampex on their new videotape system, he asked his employer to pay for the training. When the station manager refused, Kemper quit his job and spent his own money for the classes. When he returned East, he was the only freelance worker in the NYC area with knowledge of the system and therefore was in demand. EUE, a respected commercial production company hired him in a technical capacity and he remained there until Screen Gems purchased the company and closed the video department. Forming VJK Productions, Kemper operated his own company for about two years before his main backer died.