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ACS South Australian Branch
[Kinemagraphe]
July 2023
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From the Pres
Submit for SA Emerging Cinematographer Award
Survival of Kindness screening + Q&A
ACS SA AGM 2023
Cinematography & Travel wrap up
SAFC Presents SA Screen Industry Careers Day
Profile Riley Scott
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From the Pres
Can I remind you all that our committee members are mostly working crew so they don't always have a heap of time to commit to ACS duties, they are all volunteers but they also have jobs and they need to pay the rent. They gladly support our branch as they have a passion for cinematography and love what the ACS represents and stands for so please support them when they put so much effort into making the branch as interesting, engaging and viable as it can be. Personally, I thank them for their continued input and support. Well done team SA! We have our 2023 AGM coming up in August so maybe you want to be on the committee? More below.
Planning for our 43rd SA & WA ACS Awards for Cinematography are coming along well. They will be held on Saturday night on October 28 at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hindley Street. We have a fabulous Guest of Honour who is a legend of cinematography coming in for it and they will present a special screening & Q&A on the Friday night before the Awards so save both dates in your diaries. I certainly hope to see you there as it is my swan song after 19 years at the helm of our branch.
Apologies, due to circumstances beyond our control there will be no June issue of the National AC magazine. in the meantime, the September issue is in production and should arrive to you via post soon. This reminds me to ask you make sure your postal address is correct in your membership profile on the website as it actually costs the ACS more for returned AC magazines than it does to post it to you in the first place. It's a shame to waste such hard earned $.
 Are you a cinematographer who films ants making love? Or films miniatures underwater? Or only shoots three strip technicolour? Or shoots the life cycle of a gnat?
Have you invented a particular bit of gear that makes filming better/easier/more pleasurable? Well, then we need you to show us the magic!
A lot of what your branch presents is actually suggested and presented by our committee members. I must say I reckon they do a pretty bloody good job but we want to hear from our other members too. So come on, contact us, let us know what is special about the projects you shoot or how you do it differently, or what bit of kit you've made and we'll try and set up evenings where you can demonstrate your magic, your special set of skills and inform , educate or amaze your fellow cinematographers.
We thank our sponsors including Pro V Solutions who have just become our Platinum sponsor, Gold sponsors Picture Hire, Kojo & Best FX for their continued support of our branch. Without their support it would be very difficult to continue to do what we do and keep almost all of our events free to our members. Please support them by either using their services or hiring or buying from them.
Stop Press! We welcome Stepney Studios of 33 Nelson Street Stepney as our newest Gold sponsor.
If you or you know of a company who may be interested to become an SA Sponsor please direct them to the SA branch page on our website and ask them to download our 23/24 SA sponsorship proposal or ask them to contact Ernie. Sponsors are an integral component of our branch and we really appreciate their support.
By now you should have received your invoice for your annual membership dues if for some reason you haven't please contact our treasurer. You should check that your membership level is correct for your current status. You can do this on our website on the membership page. This can be very important if you want to apply for Accreditation in the future. Please use the credit card option to pay your dues as it makes the work of our volunteer committee members much easier.
Remember you must be financial if you wish to enter our 2023 Annual Awards for Cinematography with the entry window opening August 1 to 21, or apply for Accreditation or submit for the SA Emerging Cinematographer Award or attend any of our ACS member only nights.
Time to sign off, happy shooting!
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SA ACS Emerging Cinematographer Award Link
The SA Emerging Cinematographer Award aims to recognise and support an emerging SA ACS member so they can pursue creative ideas and enhance their career in cinematography.
If you are thinking of applying for the SA Emerging Cinematographer Award you need to submit your submission by July 14 via this link.
This award is supported with a cash grant from the SA branch of $1,000 and sponsored by SA ACS Gold Sponsor Picture Hire with a generous camera package for up to three consecutive days to the value of $5,000 (T&C's apply). We anticipate this Award will give the recipient access to a better camera and lens package than they normally could afford.
The cash grant could be used to hire extra gear for the shoot, used to complete a course to further their education, or on something else to advance their career. Only financial SA ACS Active members of one year or more may apply. Submissions from applicants for this award will only be accepted from July 1 to July 14.
Some of the criteria we are looking for in your submissions include:
- a bio of your career including what education or training you may have had
- any mentors you may have had, or those who have been influential in your career
- how has your cinematography improved and why
- what awards, if any, have you won
- provide files or links to some of your best cinematography
- if known, what would you use the Camera package prize and the cash prize for?
The award winner will be selected by a panel of 5 experienced SA cinematographers and presented at the 2023 SA & WA ACS Annual Awards for Cinematography. The Panel’s decision is final and no discussion or correspondence will be entered into.
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Survival of Kindness screening + Q&A
The Survival of Kindness is a 2022 Australian drama film written, produced and directed by Rolf de Heer. An allegory for racism, the film follows BlackWoman, who is abandoned in a cage on a trailer in the middle of the desert. Her escape leads to a city, recapture and tragedy.
This film was shot by our own Maxx Corkindale who won a Gold Award at the 2022 SA & WA ACS State Awards for Cinematography for his stunning work and then he subsequently won an Award of Distinction in our 2023 National ACS Awards for Cinematography in the under $2m Feature Film category.
Maxx said: When Rolf gave me the script for The Survival Of Kindness, the scenes on the pages were fascinating: the miniature cake diorama, a battle between two armies of ants, and the huge cinematic landscapes that the character travels through...all in a film with no dialogue. Straight away I knew that film always had to feel authentic, to keep us grounded in the story and never stray into something that felt too overly stylised or out of character. We had to feel what the main character BlackWoman felt and travel intimately with her along her journey
The amazing locations included the Flinders Ranges and rugged Tasmania and was filmed on a tight budget with very minimal crew but the look of the film defies this. So come and see how important cinematography is in carrying the narrative of this compelling film.
When: Sunday July 30
Where: Mercury Cinema, Morphett St Adelaide
Time: 6pm screening begins at 6:40pm
Bar opens: 6pm - financial ACS members receive complimentary drinks
Q&A: 8:15 to 9:00
Bookings Essential: BOOK NOW
Cost: ACS members free, General Public $15
Bookings Close: CoB 24/7/2023
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SA 2023 AGM
 The SA AGM is coming up in August and after 19 years at the helm of our branch I'm not standing as President as it's time for the next generation to take over. Someone with new energy, ideas and a vision for where the branch should head in the near future. Could this be you? Or maybe you'd like to edit our monthly newsletter? Nomination forms can be downloaded below. The AGM will be followed by a Chinese banquet.
To be on our committee, it is a requirement to fill in a nomination form which is required to be submitted 7 days before our AGM is held. The nomination form also allows you to nominate for the positions of President, 2 x Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Assist Treasurer, Secretary and Assist Secretary, Newsletter Editor or as a committee member. So get to it and nominate if you want to influence what our branch does. Please note: only financial Accredited, Full, Active, Life & Retired members are Corporate Members and eligible to nominate or vote for the committee or on any resolutions.
Our committee meetings are usually held on the first Monday night of the month (we get January off) at 6:30pm, we provide some nibbles and something to drink as they normally finish around 8 to 8:30pm. There's a great bunch of dedicated volunteers on the committee and although we are dealing with the business of the ACS and our own events the meetings are still fun. Check out who's currently on the committee on our website.
We have a very dedicated and fun committee and I'm happy to assist my replacement in their new role as SA President and I ask you all to support who ever that may be in that time of transition.
Please download a 2023 SA branch Nomination form, please note you'll need other SA members to to Propose and Second your nomination. If you can't attend the AGM you can still have a vote by downloading a 2023 SA Proxy form, fill it in and email it to us.
SA AGM : Friday August 11
Where: CitiZen King William St Adelaide
Time: 6:15 for 6:45pm AGM
Bookings Essential: BOOK NOW
Bookings Close: CoB 4/8/2023
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Cinematography & International Travel wrap up.
Thirty of our members attended our Cinematography & International Travel night at the Marion Hotel where they gleaned all sorts of tricks, and advice about what not to do (or declare) and what to do (or declare) when heading overseas for a shoot. This was presented by our experienced SA cinematographers who have shot in many overseas and exotic places. Due to Ben Dowie not being well and not wanting to give his bugs to the rest of us we heard from Ben via video.
There was loads of information, advice and stories from Miles Rowland ACS and Brant Cumming revealed heaps about the difficulties of shooting in conflict zones, in China and how important fixers are OS. Many thanks to our presenters for passing on their invaluable insights and to our members for their excellent questions. Below is Miles pie chart of what your time could probably be spent on when shooting OS.
Miles is moving to Sydney soon so we wish him all the best for his career over there but we can't get rid of him that easily, he already has four trips planned back to our fair city before Christmas!
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SA Screen Industry Careers Day
South Australian Screen Industry Careers Day
Presented by the South Australian Film Corporation
Adelaide Studios
1 Mulberry Rd Glenside SA 5065
[Google Maps link]
Saturday, 15 July
Multiple career information sessions running from 9.30am to 3.00pm
Learn about career pathways available in South Australia's screen sector, and how your skills and experience could translate into an exciting new role in the screen industry!
South Australia’s screen industry is experiencing significant growth, and there's a growing demand for skilled professional screen workers across many departments - from camera, to set and costume design, games and animation and even accounting. This special information day presents a rare opportunity to meet and hear from top SA screen industry experts to learn about the various jobs available, career pathways and skills required.
Registrations are currently open for career information sessions on:
- Accounts & Bookkeeping
- Animation
- Video Game Development
- Visual Effects (VFX) Supervisor – NEW SESSION!
- Art Department and Production Design
- Assistant Director
- Camera Department
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- Casting Department
- Costume Design
- Editing Department – EXTRA SESSIONS ADDED!
- Factual Content – EXTRA CAPACITY ADDED!
- Location Management
- Production Office
- Unit Department – NEW SESSION!
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Please note this open day is specifically aimed at skilled workers and professionals either from the screen industry or adjacent industries with transferable skills, and for tertiary students (including TAFE and AIE) studying in relevant fields. It is not suitable for high school students.
FREE
Registrations essential.
Find out more and register at https://bit.ly/safccareersday2023
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Thinking of Applying for ACS Accreditation?
 If you are thinking of applying for ACS Accreditation this year please be aware that the window for 2023 opens for three weeks only on September 1 and closes September 21.
May I take this opportunity to encourage you to start thinking about getting your submission together and passing it by your Accredited President for advice well before then, preferably in July or August. This process helps minimise the Assessment panel having to look at submissions that are "not up to scratch". Please don't leave it to the last minute as it's a busy time of the ACS year.
Accreditation assessments are not a mystery. The process involves a panel of ten ACS Accredited cinematographers, who work across as many genres as possible, gathered together (COVID willing) to assess the work. The submitted works of the applying cinematographers are screened and assessed before voting on each submission by secret ballot. To gain Accreditation a minimum of 8 of the panel of 10 must vote in the positive. It's tough but if the work is considered a high enough standard you should get through.
It's best you check out the ACS Accreditation page on our website so you make sure you qualify to apply and read the guidelines. https://cinematographer.org.au/acs-accreditation/
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ACS Facebook Group
All current financial ACS members can join our Facebook group. Members can post their work, connect across states, link to events, ask for advice, and put up equipment for sale, etc. 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.
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Upcoming Dates
2023
July 1 to 14 - SA Emerging Cinematographer submissions window
July 3 - Committee Meeting
July 30 - The Survival of Kindness screening + Q&A c Maxx Corkindale @ Mercury Cinema
August 1 to 21 - Awards Entry Window
August 11 - SA AGM at CitiZen
September 1 to 21 - Accreditation Application window
September 8 to 10 - 43rd SA & WA ACS Awards for Cinematography Judging
September 4 - Committee Meeting
October 3 - Committee Meeting
October 13, 14 & 15 - Accreditation Assessments @ ACS HQ
October 27 - Special Screening & Q&A
October 28 - 43rd Annual SA & WA ACS Awards for Cinematography @ Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hindley St Adelaide
November 26 - National AGM via Zoom
December 4 - Committee Meeting
December 11 - Annual SA ACS Christmas Get Together
December 12 - SA Branch goes into hibernation.
2024
February 5 - 1st SA Committee Meeting for the year
May 4 - 54th National ACS Awards for Cinematography in Queensland
August 1 to 21 - Awards Entry Window
September 1 to 21 - Accreditation Application window
2026
56th Annual National ACS Awards for Cinematography in Adelaide
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South Australia Gold Sponsors
South Australia Silver Sponsors
South Australia Bronze Sponsor
National Major Sponsor
National Diamond Sponsor
National Platinum Sponsors
National Gold Sponsors
National ACS CineKids Sponsor
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I really took interest in cameras when I started shooting parkour videos about 10 years ago - filming a group of friends on weekends and after school. The process of making parkour videos and playing with video as an artistic medium gradually lead me to skipping year 12 and studying at MAPS Film School instead. Until then I hadn’t had a solid focus of where I’d end up with my career which is odd because now I can’t imagine doing anything else.
I love shooting commercials. It’s fun and rewarding experimenting with new ideas in a short format. Also music videos and short films. There’s very rarely budget to pay ourselves or crew so everyone is there to have a good time and make something fun. A real highlight of my career to date was shooting a travel show with Melbourne based DP, Riley Hart. We shot around Australia, Europe, Singapore and Fiji.
