From the National President
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Hello members, sponsors and friends,
As we witnessed the war in Ukraine recently enter its second year, let us all keep supporting and helping the Ukrainian people in every way we can. And particularly, keep in mind our courageous colleagues who continue to work under the terrifying conditions prevailing in so many places. Against all odds, they still file the stories. Thank them for being there.
Also, a shout out to our friends, family and colleagues in New Zealand who are doing it very tough after the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle. Homes and lives were lost, and our colleagues have been on the frontline reporting, oftentimes not knowing if everything was OK in their own communities. Again, anything you can do to help, please do it.
Now, it’s nearly Oscars time. Get your popcorn ready for Monday morning, 13th March. Fingers crossed for Mandy Walker AM ACS ASC becoming the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Cinematography! And see the details below on how you can register to go to the ACS VIC webinar with Mandy live on Sunday 5th March.
Everyone working out the back in your sheds on the next awesome technical innovation, get your nominations in for the Bob Miller – ACS Technical and Innovation Award. Nominations close on 2nd April 2023. See more information below.
Happy International Women’s Day to everyone, on 8th March, as we celebrate the achievements of all our female cinematographers – across drama, documentary, web series, corporate, news, art, music video and experimental works. Well done all, keep going.
And remember to save the date, Saturday 6th May for the 2023 ACS National Awards for Cinematography, in the Crystal Ballroom on the water’s edge at Sydney’s Luna Park. The best of the best in Australian cinematography will be awarded and celebrated, do not miss it! It will be a night to remember, so save the date, and be there.
Shoot well, go well.
Erika Addis
ACS National President
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Oscars Fever: Good Luck to Mandy Walker AM ACS ASC
The Academy Awards are almost upon us, with a suite of Australians up for awards, including our own member Mandy Walker AM ACS ASC for Best Cinematography.
Elvis is up for multiple awards, including Best Picture, which, if it wins will be the first Australian feature produced and filmed locally to win this award.
More importantly, as just the third female to be nominated, if Mandy wins, she'll be the first female to win a Best Cinematography Academy Award.
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Elvis screening in Melbourne with Mandy Q&A LIVE from LA
This Sunday, The Victorian branch presents a special screening of Elvis followed by a Q&A with the Mandy Walker ASC ACS joining via Zoom from Los Angeles, and moderated by Brent Crockett ACS.
The event will be held at the Victorian College of the Arts School of Film and Television (Cinema 2) in Southbank, Melbourne.
The Q and A with Mandy will be on Zoom for those who can't make it.
Details:
WHEN: Sunday 5th March (Doors open at 12:30pm for a 1:00pm start)
WHERE: VCA School of Film and Television (Cinema 2)
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Can you be the new Chair for Australian Cinematographer Magazine?
Do you love cinematography and have an entrepreneurial spirit? Want to help the close-knit crew shaping the Magazine?
The AC Magazine is looking for a new Chairperson. If you think you could help out the ACS and the Magazine please contact National President Erika Addis (president@cinematographer.net.au) for further information.
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Nominations Now Open for the Bob Miller ACS Technical and Innovation Achievemnt Award
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Nominations have opened for the Bob Miller Award, named after the inventor of the world’s first fluid action tripod head, Bob Miller. The award is presented at the ACS National Awards for Cinematography and comprises $1,000.00 in cash and a $2000.00 Miller voucher enabling the recipient to purchase any Miller Camera Support product at 40% discount off list price directly from Miller.
Nominees must be financial ACS members who have contributed in the 24 months prior to the 2023 Awards by way of technical and/or innovative practical ideas that have helped the industry to advance.
Send your nomination by no later than APRIL 2nd, with a detailed description of the technical or innovative achievement to ACS National President, Erika Addis, for consideration at president@cinematographer.net.au.
The 2023 Award will be presented at the ACS National Awards for Cinematography in Sydney on Saturday, 6th May.
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35mm Film Screening with Don McAlpine ACS ASC
Don McAlpine ACS ASC helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of National Gold ACS sponsor AFTRS by attending a showing his 1979 film My Brilliant Career last Tuesday evening.
Don won the AACTA Award for Best Cinematography with this film and presented in a Q&A with editor Nicholas Beauman with Discipline Lead for Cinematography Steve Arnold ACS and Discipline Lead for Editing Roland Gallois. Director Gillian Armstrong provided an introduction with a video message.
The event was one of a series of 35mm Film Screenings at the AFTRS Main Theatre.
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Mental Health First Aid Courses
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Managing your own mental health or others around you (especially if you're a leader) is an important consideration. ScreenWell are asking for expressions of interest in running Mental Health First Aid courses.
Supported by Screen Australia, Screen Queensland and VicScreen, these can help camera crews on set to use initiative and navigate mental health conversations.
Following the launch of A Wider Lens this is more pertinent than ever. To express and interest visit www.screenwell.com.au.
If you require assistance, you can also always reach out to the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline - 1800 959 500, which is a free, confidential, 24/7 counselling service for anyone working in the Australian music, arts or screen industry, or Lifeline 13 11 14.
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Fujifilm Australia launches Photography Masterclasses and Workshops
ACS Members may be interested in expanding their knowledge and skills at the Fujifilm House of Photography in Sydney.
National Major Sponsor Fujinon's Fujifilm Australia have launched free and paid workshops and masterclasses.
Ryuichi Matoba, CEO of FUJIFILM Australia, said, "There is also a wider goal in play as the masterclasses and workshops help to educate, invigorate and nurture Australia's well documented passion for photography.”
For further information visit Fujifilm's Facebook page.
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Sony Catchlight Film Festival 2023
Entries are open for Sony's annual Catchlight Film Festival.
Sony, an ACS Platinum sponsor, celebrates the best short-form filmmaking using Sony cameras in Australia and New Zealand. Cinematographers using Sony camera equipment are encouraged to apply.
Categories include Fiction (scripted), Non-Fiction (documentary), Student Fiction and Music Videos with entries closing in late June.
ACS NSW Committee Member and AFTRS lecturer Simeon Bryan is the judge in the Student Fiction category.
You can visit the website for more information.
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The American Society of Cinematographers Awards
The 37th Annual ASC Awards for the American Society of Cinematographers will be held this Sunday evening Los Angeles time, live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
The event will be live streamed online on Monday at 2:30 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time.
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Previous ACS Academy Award Members
Compiled by Kevin Hudson ACS, National Secretary
Last year, Greig Fraser ACS ASC joined an illustrious group of ACS Members to win an OSCAR for Best Cinematography at the 2022 Academy Awards.
Greig joined ACS members Dean Semler ACS, John Seale ACS, Andrew Lesnie ACS, Russell Boyd ACS and Dion Beebe ACS as winners of the gold statue at the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood. Before the ACS, Robert Krasker BSC ASC won for the 1949 film Third Man in the Black and White Cinematography category, the first Australian Cinematography winner.
In 1997 Jim Frazier OAM ACS won a Technical Oscar of the Panavision/Frazier Lens System for motion picture photography which provided a greater depth of field.
We also can't forget the incredible and brave Cinematography and legacy of Damien Peter Parer. His documentary film of Kokoda Front Line! was one of four winners for Best Documentary in the 1943 awards.
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Dean Semler AM ACS ASC, Dances with Wolves, 1991
“It’s a bit like facing three thousand buffalo. I think Dances would have been a fabulous, fine movie even if it was shot on Super 8.... and thanks for not shooting it in Super 8!”
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John Seale AM ACS ASC,The English Patient, 1997
“Contrary to what you see, a cameraman or a cinematographer doesn’t stand alone. There’s a big international crew back there that helped us make this film.”
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Andrew Lesnie ACS ASC, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings, 2002
“I had the privilege of working with a really sensational cast and terrific crews.”
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Russell Boyd AM ACS ASC, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, 2004
“I have an Australian accent. I’d like to thank the Academy and a wonderful cast and crew.”
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Dion Beebe ACS ASC, Memoirs of a Geisha, 2006
“What a feeling. Terrifying but amazing.”
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Greig Fraser ACS ASC, Dune, 2022
“I am so happy this award is up early so I can get out and get to the bar!”
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