July 2020 SA Newsletter

From the Pres

Well it's good to see productions starting again albeit slowly. I hope the Cornavirus has not impacted your work schedules to drastically and you're able to get back on set or out in the field doing what we all love to do - filming!

Our Zoom Room Conversations on June 4 went down very well with 45 involved in the sessions of one on one Conversations about the industry, life as a DP or as a member of the Camera Department. Many thanks to the presenters including: Jules Wurm, Rod Bolton, Claire Bishop & Bonnie Paku, Geoff Hall ACS & Max Corkindale, Dave Gregan & Miles Rowland and JoAnne Bouzianis Sellick & Mal Ludgate ACS. Also thanks to SA committee members Kirsty Stark & Claire Bishop who moderated the four rooms.

The 2020 SA & WA Awards for cinematography entry window opens on August 1 and closes CoB August 21 so start thinking about what you might enter this year. There'll be more info about Award entries soon and make sure you read all about the changes and the new categories on our website. For the News camo's multi cam entries are possible once again so make sure you read the Entry Info & Terms & Conditions too.

Of course if you are thinking of applying for Accreditation maybe now's the time to start getting your submission together as it can take a while to get all the files sorted and you need to put your submission before your local Pres before submitting it. The entry window for Accreditation submissions is September 1 to September 30.

Nationally we are working on how the State and Territory Awards will be held this year. There's some good ideas being developed so we'll let you know about them soon.

Our AGM is coming up soon so may I take this opportunity to thank Kirsty Stark, she will not be nominating for 20/21 due to the imminent arrival of her and Daniel's first child. Kirsty has been a dynamic and valuable contributor to our committee and branch. Thank you, you will be missed.

Please don't forget to support our wonderful sponsors whenever you can. They look after us so it would be ideal to return the favour.

Profile Andrew McEvoy

Andrew, you're a cameraman at Channel 9 Adelaide, how did that come about?

I was fortunate to get work experience at NWS9 in 1993, while doing their School of Video course at the time. I was 18 and had been doing radio for a couple of years at Three D (Triple M as it was then), which had given me a taste for media. I’d always been interested in photography, and never went anywhere without my treasured SLR or Super-8 camera (or both!). It was noted that I was keen and I was soon on the roster as a camera assistant. This involved trailing behind the cameraman and catching sound, while lugging the chunky BTS recorder. The action and excitement was definitely an element that drew me in. I’d known a bit of that through being in CFS for a few years, and carrying camera gear instead of fire hoses at an emergency wasn’t too different. (Picture: Meeting legends is all in a days work!)

After some opportunities to prove myself, I successfully applied for a rare cameraman vacancy, and joined the ranks. Time seems to have moved fast since then, and I have had my fair share of adventures and travel, witnessing the unusual and spectacular. Along the way, I’ve worked alongside some inspiring cameramen, and some sharp reporters.

Camera assisting was the start for many – what are your thoughts looking back?
The two-person camera crews were a terrific training ground, and provided Adelaide with countless news cameramen for decades. As well, others took a different career direction with a camera. Plenty of the guys still shooting around town owe their beginnings here and it’s still common to be at a job where every cameraman had their start at NWS9. (Picture: Who could forget the BTS camera or the the old wooden tripods.)

The assistant was joined to the cameraman by the multi-cable between the camera and recorder. A good assistant was always watching for the camo's next move, as it was a great crime to cause a tug on the cable through inattention or not keeping up! Consequently, you were keenly watching what was happening and learnt a lot.

There are a number of guys I met when I started who are still doing the job now… at the time I thought they had been around for long time. Watching and listening to them you could learn a lot.

Who do you admire and look up to in the industry?

My camera colleagues at Nine are a constant inspiration and source of wisdom for me. There is a mutual respect amongst the team that brings a free exchange of knowledge, ideas and advice. The guys from the other stations around town are great too, as you tend to have a lot of shared experiences over a long period, in all sorts of situations. There’s a strong and healthy competition amongst the Adelaide camo's that drives us all daily, which I enjoy. No one wants to miss the shot! Everyone is good-humoured, which means along the way we have a lot of fun. (Picture: Andrew shooting at the last Adelaide Grand Prix.)

What are some of the things you enjoy about working in the business?
The unknown of a day in news-gathering is an exciting element I like. There’s a thrill in the instantaneous need to travel to a location for something unfolding, to then make it all work on your arrival is part of the challenge. Other jobs are known ahead and can pre-planned, which is another highlight. Being “out-and-about” is a good part of the job, as I enjoy the outdoors.

Pick any day and it’s likely a colourful experience. A spectrum of different sorts of jobs is what keeps it fresh and enjoyable. A week of stories is a montage of the good, the bad and the ugly – of course the less of the ugly is always preferable. Breaking news is exciting, and the need to be alert to your surroundings and anticipate the next likely development is thrilling. (Picture: Shooting at the world's largest copper mine, Escondida, Chile.)

The freedom to craft the visuals of a story my own way is something that has kept me enthusiastic about my job. Although we collaborate with a journo or producer, there’s independence in capturing events as you see them.

Some of the extra roles you’ve had have involved other passions and interests you have. Tell us about that.

I enjoyed working on the Postcards program for a several years, the picture story opportunities and extended length of pieces was really enjoyable. I’ve always been passionate about history, so it ticked a lot of boxes. (Picture: Capturing the beautiful last light of day.)

During the last few years there’s been the occasional opportunity researching and locating footage for some feature programs, which I found really enjoyable. Before Nine left Tynte Street for Hindmarsh Square a few years back, I worked on transferring several decades worth of archived footage from deteriorating tapes, for preservation and future use. This gave a clearer view into what was in the vault and waiting to be utilised again with a fresh take. There’s been several different programs utilising a variety of subjects, and there remains many more possibilities.

The intrigue I’ve had for old footage began before I worked in TV, through by my film-researcher cousin, Wendy Borchers. I’d seen countless programs she’d worked on over the years, turning up long forgotten film, some unseen for a lifetime. I suppose now when looking at any historic footage or images, there’s an extra appreciation of how it was achieved. Knowing a bit more about older cameras now and their limitations, you often wonder how certain shots were captured. There’s a certain romance about historic footage, especially in the era of the digital image where we are flooded with so much visual content.

Some of those early images were captured with great difficulty. Are there things to be learnt or drawn on from these camera pioneers?
The innovation and ability of many from early television, the newsreel and wartime cameramen, and all the way back to the photographic and film pioneers capturing the earliest ever images – their skill is to be admired.

Each era has its own challenges - equipment size and manoeuvrability, travel difficulties, processing – the list goes on. No doubt they approached it with a sense of great adventure, just as we do. Their sharp thinking and creativity under pressure - and in many cases their bravery - is something to marvel at.

Many of those who had the same task as we do, but with the equipment of their era, inspire respect for skilfully achieved images, captured under different constraints to today. (Picture: It's wise to be sun smart on a shoot!)

It sounds like you found something you enjoyed early on and have rolled with it.
Anyone who knew me before I did this work isn’t in the least bit surprised that I ended up here. Having said this, none of it was mapped out or planned in any way, it has just been a natural fit to a lot of the things I enjoy. It’s not an all-together common that your job overlaps with all of your hobbies and interests, so I think of myself as being fortunate in my work life.

Thanks Andrew, it's great to hear from an Adelaide news camo. SA is known for the great News shooters we have produced over the years. Keep up the great work!

ACS Facebook Group

A while ago we started a Facebook Group where all current financial ACS members can join. Members can post their work, connect across states, link to events, ask for advice, and put up equipment for sale etc. here. To join, simply follow the link below and request to join, and one of your local committee members will approve your request. Of course, if you're not a member please don't apply as rejection is not really in our DNA.

Upcoming Dates

2020

July 6 Committee Meeting

August 1 to August 21 State Awards entry window
August 11 SA AGM
September 1 to Sept 30 Accreditation Applications window
September SA& WA Awards judging
September 7 Committee Meeting
October 5 Committee Meeting
October 9 & 7 Accreditation Assessments @ ACS HQ??
October 10 National 1/2 yearly meeting @ HQ??

November 2 Committee Meeting
November 7 40th Annual SA & WA ACS Virtual? Awards for Cinematography
December 7 Committee Meeting
December 14 Christmas Drinks - Venue TBC

2021

May 7 National AGM in ACT
May 8 The prestigious 50th National ACS Awards for Cinematography in ACT plus Meet the Nominees on Saturday morning.