We enter December 2021 with the State and Territory Awards presentations and Accreditation behind us and now, after Christmas of course, we begin organising the National Awards for Cinematography in Adelaide on Saturday, 30 April at the Hilton Hotel.
There will be the customary Screening/Q&A from PANAVISION on Friday 29 April followed by the ROSCO - LEITZ DRINKS at a hotel or bar quite close by.
Saturday morning will see our popular MEET THE NOMINEES session sponsored by ARRI Australia and then the Gala Awards Presentation, hosted by the SA Branch of the Society.
I feel it best to talk about this subject now because as the time gets closer it may become too emotional for me. Sadly the 2022 National Awards will be my swan song as National President as I will not be standing for re election at the Sunday AGM. This leaves the position of National President vacant for only moments before the new incumbent will take their place and guide the Society forward. I am of course saddened that I will not be leading our wonderful Society but I have enjoyed every moment working alongside some amazing people, whose focus is only on the Society and our members.
One of those is Heidi Tobin who has been a constant guide for me and the Society, but now she has also decided to seek a new career path. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Heidi.
This wonderful Society has played an enormous role in my life. I’ve been able to participate in its progress and growth, and shared many emotional moments. ACS Accreditation applications and screenings have seen me bear witness to many highs and of course disappointments of those not achieving this great honour.
Our collaborative, supportive and like minded Sponsors is the fabric which helps to bind us together, sponsors who share our love for cinematography and the culture that goes with it. The ACS is very lucky to have them and it is important to remember there are things we have achieved which could not have been done without them.
There are many I have met on this journey and I am sorry at this time I cannot mention them all, but for me to have had the opportunity to not only work in our industry, but now to have been in a position to lead a respected and admired global Society, has truly been a blessing and one I will never forget.
I trust a customary steed has been put on hold for my ride into the sunset…..A ride not unlike Clint Eastwood’s in High Plains Drifter.
To each and every one of you I wish you a warm and joyful Christmas with family and friends, many of you I am sure will be re-uniting after Covid - treasure every moment.
For a number of years the American Society of Cinematographers has been presenting Clubhouse Conversations, a video featuring leading cinematographers discussing their creative process.
The latest in the series presents ASC moderator Mandy Walker ACS ASC discussing with Greig Fraser ACS ASC his work on the feature adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel Dune - directed by Denis Villeneuve
NSW member Lizz Vernon was recently involved as cinematographer in a multi award winning short film, Stairs.
Bus Stop Films of Sydney working in partnership with the Arts Council of Mongolia, supported an all-female crew of Genevieve Clay-Smith, Sarah-Jane Johnson and Lizz Vernon to travel from Australia to Mongolia to work on the production of the inclusively made film, Stairs.
Directed by Zoljargal Purevdash, produced by Genevieve Clay-Smith and photographed by Lizz Vernon the film has recently garnered several awards.
Congratulations to all involved.
A Postcard from Jules O'Loughlin ACS ASC "Joe Exotic"
Hey guys, I’ve just come off 22 weeks on Joe Exotic aka Joe v Carole in Brisbane. To say I’m a little weary is an understatement. We shot 100 days in total with quite a few 6 day weeks. 4 of those days were ‘double up days’ and B cam operator, Jack Wareham did a fabulous job of stepping up to DP on those double up days.
I was a little reticent at first to take on the job. I had seen the Tiger King Doco on Netflix and thought it was interesting, much like watching a train smash in slow motion is interesting. But then I read the scripts and I was hooked. The story is essentially about the war between Joe Exotic and Carole Baskins, two human dumpster fires but written with such humanity, humour and nuance. You can’t help but love them. They were brought to life magnificently by John Cameron Mitchell and Kate McKinnon.
Director Justin Tipping and I knew that we had to present this material to an audience that may already be familiar with the story. We had to both elevate it and take the audience on a ride. We shot with Arri LF and LF minis and shot for a 2:1 finish. I chose to tell Joe’s story with Cooke SF Anamorphics and utilized a lot of handheld and steadicam. Carole’s story was more controlled with cameras built in studio mode with more composed frames and dolly work with a lot of material shot with the Ronin 2. I used rehoused Canon FD lenses for her story.
With episode 8 we departed from both styles and went super precision, almost Fincheresque. No keystoning of sets with very little tilting of the camera. Height adjustments had to be made by jibbing and the use of symmetry was key. I shot this episode with Zeiss Supremes.
A big shout out to my wonderful crew. Greg Gilbert and Jack Wareham operating. Pim Kulk and Frank Hruby pulling focus with backup work from Rachel Seaton and 2nd AC’s Ben Fyfield and Kelvin Chan. Truck loader Megan Smith and DIT Jasan Naran. Billy Harmer Key Grip and Ben Dugard Gaffer.
Jules O'Loughlin
Cinematographer Jules O'Loughlin ACS ASC (white shirt) surrounded by the Joe Exotic camera crew
A Postcard from Greig Fraser ACS ASC
Hi Ron. Greetings from the aftermath of Camerimage. You know your not as young as you used to be, when it takes you at least four days to recover from a single night out.
Had a great time seeing old friends, and meeting some new friends at this years award. Got to meet Alice Brooks in person for the first time, and was able to hang with Larry Sher, Martin Ruhe and Haris Zambarloukis. Linus Sandgren and Cary Fukanaga crossed over for a few hours with Denis Villeneuve and myself. Denis was given the award for outstanding director and I was fortunate enough to win a bronze frog for Dune.
It was a long overdue, in person, celebration of cinematographers, and incredible to see all our vendor friends from all over the world converge to have a few drinks. Always in appreciation for the hard work that Marek and Kazik along with their team at Camerimage put into each years event.
Greig
David Brill AM ACS
The Judith Neilson Institute, a major supporter of quality journalism, has recently funded a film documenting the career of legendary combat cinematographer and long standing ACS member David Brill AM ACS.
In the course of his long career David covered wars and disasters all over the world. He filmed the fall of Saigon. He was in Moscow during the collapse of communism.
He has covered conflicts in Cambodia, Somalia, Granada, Sarajevo and countless others and natural disasters in Asia, Africa and North and South America.
David was inducted into the Australian Media Hall of Fame in 2018 and into the ACS Hall of Fame in 2008.
The film is titled “David Brill’s Story, On the Frontlines” and will screen on ABC 24 TV, Sunday 12th December at 8pm - don’t miss it.
David Brill, the fall of Saigon April 1975 Aussie soldier protects David, Somalia
An Interview with Katie Milwright ACS
Katie Milwright ACS
Acclaimed Victoria Branch member Katie Milwright ACS works across film, television, art and documentary and has won numerous ACS awards for her work.
She was recently interviewed by Rochelle Siemienowicz of Screen Hub but as the interview is a little long to present here we've included a link to the Screen Hub article here Katie Milwright interview
Ari Wegner ACS "The Power of the Dog"
Ari Wegner ACS was doing Christmas shopping in Melbourne several years ago when her phone rang. The caller was director Jane Campion. In this Screen Australia podcast Ari discusses the making of The Power of the Dog, from working with Jane Campion to the New Zealand shoot. To read the companion article by Caris Bizzaca and listen to the podcast use this link Ari Wegner
Photo: Ari Wegner ACS & Jane Campion
The Art and Soul of Dune: Limited Edition
Greig Fraser ACS ASC and Josh Brolin discuss an idea of producing a book - Insight Editions' THE ART AND SOUL OF DUNE: LIMITED EDITION.
The book to consist of Josh’s writing and photos taken by Greig on the Dune set.
This link will take you to the four minute video Dune Limited Edition
Vale - Clive Sell ACS
It is with great sadness that I belatedly advise you of the passing of Victoria branch member Clive Sell ACS on Sunday 20th June of this year.
To those of you who didn’t know Clive, he was at the ABC for many years and was a wonderful contributor in drama and other genres.
Affectionately known as Rocky by his ABC colleagues, Clive Sell ACS will be greatly missed.
He was considered quite a pioneer of his day, and his body of work included:
JANUS, CORRELLI, THE ADVENTURES OF LANO & WOODLEY, SECRETS, PHOENIX and many others.
The ACS extends it deepest condolences to his wife Carole and family.
Ron Johanson OAM ACS
National President
Vale - Jeanette Taylor
It is with great sadness that Videocraft announce the passing of our co-founder, Jeanette Taylor.
Jeanette has been an integral part of Videocraft since its inception almost 50 years ago and had been a key driver behind Videocraft becoming the industry leader it is today.
Her genuine care for people made Jeanette the ‘heart’ of Videocraft, and she had touched many with her kind support and encouragement when they most needed it. She was a much-loved mother and grandmother, respected businesswoman and a great friend to many.
EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2021, FilmLight Colour Awards
EnergaCAMERIMAGE - The International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography 2021 was held in November and the presentation of the inaugural FilmLIght Colour Awards was a highlight.
A link to the newsletter featuring the colourist winners and the cinematographers they collaborated with is provided here: FilmLIght Colour Awards
Byron Studios
With the amount of local and international film production taking place in the Northern Rivers region of NSW it was only a matter of time before someone decided there was a need for a purpose built film studio.
Enter local VFX and screen professional, Will Gammon who envisioned infrastructure to support the increasing film and TV industry expansion in the area - Byron Studios was conceived.
The initial studios, located in Byron’s industrial estate, evolved after years of development into a full studio complex, which came to life in the nearby suburb of Alstonville.
The first international project attracted to Byron Studios was Netflix’ God’s Favorite Idiot, which was based at Byron Studios for over six months.
There are currently two stages at the studio complex, Stage 1 - 37m x 27.5m x 10m and Stage 2 - 20m x 20m x 4.5m along with a 750sqm construction shed and a 45,000sqm backlot area.
If you think the Northern Rivers is the place for your next production then contact
The Society of Swedish Cinematographers (FSF) 60th Anniversary
On Saturday, 13th November, some 50 members of the FSF gathered in Stockholm to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Society of Swedish Cinematographers.
The date was no coincidence, but rather the result of careful planning, since it was on November 13th, 1961, that a group of Swedish cinematographers founded the FSF.
The society's very first board was led by famous Swedish cinematographer Rune Ericson as chairman, and included Ragnar Frisk as secretary and Tony Forsberg as treasurer.
The membership initially consisted of 48 cinematographers.
The society has grown over the years to its current roster of 221 members, consisting of 113 active DoPs, 25 honorary members and 52 retired members as well as 31 associated members.
The FSF has been a member of IMAGO since 1995.
6th Zsigmond Vilmos International Film Festival
Named after world renound cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond ASC the Zsigmond Vilmos International Film Festival is held in Szeged, Hungary, where Vilmos was born.
The Festival focuses on drawing attention to the work of cinematographers together with giving an opportunity to young artists to show their art.
The 2022 Festival will run from 24th - 28th of May and applications are now being taken.
Applications are open to Feature Films, Short Films, Documentaries and Experimental Films (including animations and films made with mobile phones) completed after the 1st of January 2019.
At EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2021 the ASC and the AFI held a group discussion centered on Diversity and Inclusion.
In attendance were members of the BSC, PSC, ASC, IMAGO, ACS (represented by Justine Kerrigan ACS) and others.
A video of the meeting, available until Monday 12th December, can be viewed by using this link: Diversity & Inclusion.
And…… right down at the bottom of the newsletter
but an essential item none the less:
The ACS is still on the lookout for a volunteer National E-News editor.
This crucial and responsible position will take you right into the engine room of the ACS and you will collaborate directly with ACS National President, Ron Johanson.
If you feel you may be the person to take the bull by the horns and undertake editorial responsibility or if you would like more information
send off an email to: president@austcine.org.au
