A Message from the President

VELINDA WARDELL ACS TO ATTEND CONFERENCE

WIFT INTERNATIONAL PRESENTS THE POWER OF INCLUSION SUMMIT 

NORTH MACEDONIA & LOS ANGELES

Being in LA afforded me the chance to catch up with US resident and ex pat ACS NSW Branch member Tim Myers, who has been based in Los Angeles predominantly filming for flagship investigative BBC program Panorama, and more recently, the United Nations as a special advisor ‘camera journalist’ for the office of the president. The BBC and UN have also put Tim through their HEFAT training so that they can use him in higher risk areas such as West Africa, Jordan, Syria and parts of Latin America.

I also caught up with the very pro active DP, NSW Branch member Jamie Trent who has been in the US for around 30 years. Born in Australia, he spent the last several years working in both Los Angeles and New York City. Jamie is also an international award-winning Cinematographer, producer and an established member of the PGA (Producers Guild of America).  Most recently, Jamie picked up a 2018 ACS Gold Award for his dynamic cinematography on the short film "Fallen Angel”. Jamie is also known nationally and internationally for his highly regarded theatrical released film "The Algerian". Filmed on 2 continents, 3 countries and in 8 cities. "The Algerian" has won 19 awards at International Film Festivals including Best Cinematography at the Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles and Best Cinematography at the Madrid International Film Festival. Jamie is a member of the ICG, (International Cinematographers Guild) as a Cinematographer. He is also accredited by the SOC (Society of Camera Operators) and is a NYC and Los Angeles resident.

I was lucky enough to meet up and give many hugs to NSW member Jasmine Lord from so many ACS members after the loss of her husband Charles. Jasmine is on the mend and wants me to thank everybody on her behalf for all your messages of comfort. We’re there when you need us Jasmine.

DEAN SEMLER @ EFILM - It was great to spend some time at EFilm in Hollywood with Dean Semler AM ACS ASC who was grading a film “Playing with Fire” that he shot in Toronto. Managing Director; Al Cleland was incredibly welcoming and shouted lunch in their Boardroom, which was a real treat. Seeing Dean at work with Senior colourist; Walter Volpatto whose credits include 2019 Academy-Award Best Picture Winner “Green Book,” directed by Peter Farrelly; “Dunkirk,” directed by Christopher Nolan; “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” directed by Rian Johnson; and, most recently Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight;” and “Independence Day: Resurgence,” directed by Roland Emmerich. This for me was an awesome experience and Dean’s images just get better and better.

FOTOKEM - I met up with Martin Cayzer at FotoKem in Burbank and we both had the tour of the lab, famous for the collaboration they have with Director, Christopher Nolan and others. SVP Dana Ross a former colleague of Martin’s really looked after us. FOTOKEM process around 6 million feet of 65mm each year, so things appear to be ok and perhaps film is not dead! The smell of chemicals remains with me, and brings back many good memories. 

I also, along with Martin and an ARRI colleague met up with Mandy Walker ACS ASC, her daughter Ruby and husband Stewart Bell. Such a great group of people and nice to talk to Mandy about her upcoming project back home to work with Baz Luhrmann on “Elvis” and also “Mulan” which is almost completed at Disney. Mandy is a wonderful ambassador and a truly fine cinematographer who always leads from the front. It will be great to have her back home for a while.




ASC ANNIVERSARY DINNER - I have to say this event was fantastic in so many ways and huge congratulations to all at the ASC including Kees Van Oostrum, the wonderful Patty Armacost and Delphine Figueras, amazing Alex and my buddy Sal, along with Richard Crudo and all the ASC team, who as always set the barrier really high. It began with a tour of the new ARRI inspired ASC Education and Archiving building and the office for American Cinematographer magazine, which sits on the grounds of the Clubhouse. This is a centre not only rich in history, but will give many filmmakers the opportunity to learn from the very best. 



After a few casual drinks in the grounds we assembled inside for the Presentation of Patron Awards, to those companies synonymous with the ASC, many since its inception in 1919. The ASC have created a time capsule and there were many including us who presented something from our Society, in this case an ACS Accreditation pin, to be included in the time capsule.


We then adjourned to the 4 huge tents for the Anniversary dinner itself, which was attended by around 700, I simply lost count, but sat next to 98 year old legend, Bill Butler ASC on one side and my old friend Brad Shield ACS ASC on the other. Brad and I quizzed Bill on “ Jaws" and his other collaborations with Steven Spielberg. Earlier that day, I had watched “Jaws" - the original on Turner Classics and now there I was conversing with DoP Bill Butler ASC, which was an absolute honour for Brad and myself. It was great to see Peter Moss ACS ASC and to have a chat with Roger Deakins and his wife James. For the WA boys he does want to come visit and do a Q&A tour for all our members, it’s just working out the time frame. 


Speaking of Q&A’s, both Mandy Walker ACS ASC and Anthony Dod Mantle BSC ASC DFF will be in the country soon and are both keen to host some screenings. Be patient and watch this space.


After saying farewell and then being presented with the ASC Anniversary book, i reflected on how fortunate I was to have been invited and to represent the ACS and IMAGO, organisations I love and respect. As I walked back to the hotel, Hollywood was still cranking and the streets, including Hollywood Blvd were closed off for the premiere of “Joker”.

What a town….next stop Brisbane and home.
Until next time
Ron Johanson OAM ACS
National President

Screenrights Announces funding for 4 Screen Initiatives

Congratulations to the three successful recipients of Screenrights' inaugural Cultural Fund – Light Sound Art Film, Documentary Australia Foundation,  Maoriland Charitable Trust, and Film Outreach Australia! Read more about the projects' innovative approaches, which overcome barriers to access and use of meaningful screen content

Dear Ron and friends in the ACS

I hope you are well!

As you might remember, the AFC (the French Society of Cinematographers) left IMAGO some years back.

It is mine and IMAGO´s view that all cinematographer´s societies belongs in IMAGO for the reason that in unity and solidarity, we can easier solve our many common challenges and help develop our art, and we see the AFC and their many members as a valued and natural part of our World-wide family of cinematographers.

We have therefore recently had a most constructive dialogue with the AFC President and AFC Board members to research into the possibility for a stronger future collaboration between us.  And the AFC are, as I understand it, seriously and positively discussing how a closer collaboration can be achieved.

As misconceptions easily will occur when communication is minimalized for some years, to aid  the AFC´s ongoing debate about this matter, they have sent us a mail with some questions about IMAGO´s present aims and work-areas, and how our federation operates today, to help aid their debate and conclusion.

In addition to sending this mail to me and the IMAGO Board, the AFC have also sent this mail to IMAGO´s Member Societies.

I do not know if you already have received the mail from the AFC to IMAGO, but should you not have received it, I enclose it here.

I also enclose IMAGO´s answer to the AFC, so you as a valued member of IMAGO are fully informed about this ongoing conversation.

We of course all hope this constructive new communication between the AFC and IMAGO will result in a future positive and closer collaboration between us.

Many thanks for your attention, and I look forward to talking again soon.

Best regards,

Paul René

Filmed over three years, The Show Must Go On is the debut documentary from filmmaker and former Home and Away actor Ben Steel, and looks at the mental health of the 42,000 people working in the Australian entertainment industry. The film follows Ben Steel on a soul-searching investigation into why are there so many entertainment workers developing and struggling with mental wellbeing issues. Ben shares his own experiences of living with anxiety and depression, and along the way opens up conversations with key creatives from across the industry including Sam Neill, Michala Banas, Jocelyn Moorhouse, Sarah Walker, Shane Jacobson and many more. 

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