Congratulations to the Northern Territory Branch who opened the ACS Awards season brilliantly under the night skies of Darwin at the open air Deckchair Cinema. There was a successful series of additional events including a very popular session with Nic Godoy from Panavision, and the night was beautifully hosted by MC Rob Collins. There were many Golds awarded – watch out for the Territorians at the 2023 Nationals, they’ll be there in force!
Congratulations also to Tom Gleeson and Ben Allan ACS CSI and the ACS Tech Committee on the HDR Video, screened with a Q&A featuring guest Toby Oliver ACS, on an outstanding drop-in night at ACS HQ. Three years in the making, on the night it was standing room only.
I’m delighted to welcome our new National Sponsors Manager, Steve Moxey. As ACT Assistant Treasurer, he’s excited about taking on the role and is wasting no time in meeting with sponsors as time permits whilst shooting in Melbourne and elsewhere.
Further to the launch of the A Wider Lens report, I have been meeting with the Arts Secretary to the Federal Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke. The report recommendations are being seriously considered, and I hope to have more news on this front. And warm thanks to everyone who has reached out about the report, from members to industry and other guild members. It has certainly sparked many conversations and planning of events in response.
And congratulations to the recipient of the 2022 Drew Llewellyn ACS Camerimage Scholarship – QLD member, Liam Brennan. We look forward to hearing about your experiences at Camerimage in Torun, Poland!
With the ongoing heavy workloads so many are experiencing, remember to check on your crew members and colleagues. Stay safe and well.
All the best everyone,
Erika Addis
ACS National President
Vale Ross King ACS
Accredited Member #71, Ross King ACS, sadly passed away mid-last month.
An accomplished cinematographer, Ross's career has been long and varied.
Born in 1940, Ross worked at Film Australia for a time. He was introduced to fellow ACS member and Academy Award winner Dean Semler ASC ACS here.
Ross introduced Dean to 35mm film, and Dean remembers Ross as being "always there for me when I needed a bit of help."
Later, Ross filmed for Dean on A Steam Train Passes in 1974 and Let the Balloon Go in 1976. Dean remembers this work as' spectacular.'
Ross was Director of Photography on various episodes of Spyforce from 1971 to 1973 and The Evil Touch from 1973 to 1974.
While not only a skilled cinematographer of dramas, Ross worked on various documentary productions at Film Australia and the Perth Commonwealth Games in 1962. He also filmed many commercials whilst working at Ajax Films.
He will also be remembered as "a good old mate" by Dean Semmler.
National AGM Notice
From National Secretary Kevin Hudson ACS:
Dear Members and Sponsors,
The Australian Cinematographers Society will be holding our National Annual General Meeting via zoom at 10am AEDT on Sunday 27th November 2022. All positions of your National Executive will be vacated and your branch delegates will vote your new membership team.
Please contact National Secretary Kevin Hudson ACSif you require the zoom link on secretary@cinematographer.net.au by 10am AEDT, Friday 25th November 2022.
Kind regards,
Kevin Hudson ACS
National Secretary
Australian Cinematographers Society
New National Sponsors Manager
Following on from the retirement and tireless work of past President Ron Johanson OAM ACS as National Sponsors Manager, Steve Moxey from the ACT branch has taken over. Steve has been an ACS member since 2005, and over his membership has been ACT’s Vice President, Assistant Treasurer and committee member.
Steve’s resume includes working at Canon Australia in technical, sales and agency roles and as a Cinematographer in drama, short films, NFP projects, TVCs, documentaries and corporates.
On taking over the role, Steve said: “I see imaging as an art, to be studied and practiced, devoted to stretching our minds, expanding our spirits and enriching our understanding of ourselves and others.”
NT Awards
The ACS Awards season began with the awards for the Northern Territory branch at the Deckchair Cinema in Darwin last weekend. The event was held in conjunction with the Darwin International Film Festival.
John Seale AM ACS ASC presented his latest film, ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing’, as part of the festival and a discussion with ACS supporter Ray Martin AM. David Brill AM ACS also attended as a guest and had a Q and A with National President Erika Addis on his career and his recent documentary ‘David Brill’s Story: On the Frontlines,’ available now to watch on ABC iView.
The Technical Committee of the ACS has put together an informative presentation of HDR technologies and standards.
In this YouTube video, Ben Allan ACS CSI from the Technical Committee hosts and discusses how HDR impacts modern production with cinematographers and colourists.
The first ‘Imago Talks’ presentation will be held this month presented by the International Federation of Cinematographers. The Imago Technical Committee members will present the discussion on the ‘Analog Zone System in Digital Cinematography’.
It will be on Sunday, 16th October, at 4 pm Brussels time or Monday at 1 AM Australian Eastern Daylight Time. To register, email imagotalks@imago.org.
Postcard from Mitch Woolnough: ABC in Taiwan
ABC’s Mitch Woolnough won three NT ACS awards last weekend as a member of the NT branch of the ACS. Currently based in Taiwan as the sole cinematographer, editor, and photographer of the bureau, he has sent us this update:
ABC News currently covers China from its Taiwan pop-up bureau in Taipei. The bureau consists of correspondent Bill Birtles and I, working from home with assistance from our Chinese office staff back in Beijing. Last year the popup office was based in Seoul, South Korea, where correspondent Carrington Clake and I lived and worked out of a hotel room for 12 months.
Some highlights so far this year include covering the Philippines presidential election, US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visiting Taiwan to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and the resulting Chinese anger following the visit. I also recently travelled to Guam to see how the US keeps a watchful eye over the China-Taiwan tensions from its air and naval bases.
Postcard from Henry Pierce ACS in London
Last day on Call the Midwife. Sad to finish but has been wonderful to work with a great cast and crew, especially Jenny Agutter, one of my favourite actors.
Are you a member of the Australian Cinema Pioneers?
The Australian Cinema Pioneers are calling out to ACS Members to say that you may be eligible to join if you have had 20 years or more in the Australian Film Industry.
Founded in 1933, the Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers recognises those who have provided 20 years or more of service to, or have been employed in, the Australian Cinema Industry. Cinema Pioneers receive a Cinema ID Card offering generous discounts at many Australian cinemas.
"I am proud to say I am a member of the Australian Cinema Pioneers. This inclusive organisation stands firm as one of the great supporters of those who worked in the Feature Film area, both in the cinemas and in varied other areas of expertise. I am a "Cinematographer Member" and was delighted to join so many of my colleagues as part of this august group." - Ron Johanson OAM ACS.
ACS Ambassador David Brill joins
the Australian Press Council
ACS Ambassador David Brill AM ACS has been appointed as a member of the Adjudication Panel of the Australian Press Council along with Claire Alder, a lawyer and former judge.
Press Council Chair Neville Stevens AO says the new appointments “will strengthen the APC’s ability to promote press freedom and uphold high editorial standards in a dynamic media environment.”
The Australian Press Council is the primary body that deals with complaints of the Australian press as well as promoting high standards of media practice and community access to information and freedom of the press in Australia.
New ACS Member Benefits
Please see below some new ACS member benefits from our generous sponsors:
EIZO CG3146 HDR Loan units.
We have limited supply and offer short product demonstrations on a case-by-case basis to ACS members who have a genuine and imminent intention to purchase.
We will prioritize requests from members who've genuinely suffered equipment failure during a rush (any brand) and need a rescue HDR monitor delivered now.
We can make an HDR monitor available for rent for up to one week on request (charges apply).
We support education events with loan units when available.
Please forward any request for a loan unit to sales@eizo.com.au or call us on 02 9462 7500
Kayell are offering 15% discount off all their items to ACS members.
