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ACS South Australian Branch
[Kinemagraphe]
March 2023
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From the Pres
SA Emerging Cinematographer Award
"Read the Newsletter" Prize
AC Mag Contact
Peter James ACS ASC Masterclass
2nd AC Course Report
Profile - Nic Datson
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From the Pres
We're doing something different this year re Movie tix so read about that further after the article about the Emerging Cinematographer Award.
We welcome our newest committee member Grace (Shuying) Lui. In February Grace attended our first committee meeting for 2023 as an observer and decided that by the end of it she was interested in joining and helping us run our branch. We are looking forward to Grace's input and if you have any suggestions and you know her please pass them on.
I recently attended the annual Hall of Fame committee meeting at our wonderful National ACS Headquarters in North Sydney and it reminded me to let you all know how good our headquarters are and if you are in Sydney and have a spare moment please go and check it out. It's for all of our members but you need to contact Ted Rayment ACS 0411 525 733 or, if you can't reach Ted try David Wakeley ACS 0418 263 893 so one of them can meet you there to show you through.
The National ACS Awards for Cinematography judging happens over 3 days in March and this year as the NSW branch are the host. The venue for these awards is at the Crystal Ballroom at Luna Park at Milsons Point to be held on Saturday May 6, 6pm – midnight. With some satellite events in the days prior, so save the date in your calendars, especially if you won Gold at our last years State Awards. Come and celebrate the best cinematography from across Australia and mix with the best too!
Why not check out the the Peter James ACS ASC Master Class being run by my good friend Warwick Field ACS and his company ShotClass over in Melbourne. Peter is an absolute legend! More in the article down the newsletter.
Here's a pic from the archives, circa 2003, sent to me by SA member Matt Byrne who is second from the left in the back row, standing on the back of the camera truck from McLeod’s Daughters.
There's some very familiar faces including Craig ‘Rags’ Phillpot on the right and and none other than our now National ACS President, Erika Addis front row, left with moi beside her. We were running an ACS 2 day workshop at Hendon where we did an intro to focus pulling, hence Rags being there as he was one of the best in the business at that time. We taught about 16mm and 35mm cameras and spent time practicing changing film magazines in a black bag. How times have changed! The photo was taken at the end of the two day workshop and we still managed to smile.
 These days Matt directs and shoots his own commercials and is winning awards for some of them. Here he's filming Claudia Karvan for her Adelaide Fringe show The Goat, Who is Sylvia, which I was fortunate to see and it was a hoot with great performances.
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SA Emerging Cinematographer Award
From this year onwards we've decided to change the name of The Cliff Ellis Award for the SA Active member Showing the Most Potential (Phew! That's a mouthful!) to the SA Emerging Cinematographer Award.
This Award is to recognise and encourage an emerging SA ACS member/cinematographer whose skill set and cinematography are improving.
 And how good is this? It will be supported with a cash grant from the SA branch of $1,000 as well as being sponsored by SA ACS Gold Sponsor Picture Hire with a generous camera package for up to 3 consecutive days to the amazing value of $5,000 - T&C's apply. We hope this Award may give the recipient a much better camera pkg and lenses than they normally could afford. The cash grant could be used to hire extra gear for the shoot, a course or to further your education, hopefully for something to improve your career.
We will be calling for submissions from potential candidates for this exciting, renamed award from July 1 to 14. More info will be provided in upcoming newsletters.
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"Read the Newsletter ASAP" Prize
 The year, each month, we are trialling a "Read the Newsletter" early reader prize to the first, SA ACS member with the correct answer to the question below via this link will be reimbursed up to $40 for purchase of two tix to a movie of their choice. Winners should buy their tickets then take a picture of them and either sms or email Mylene the picture of the tix with their bank details for reimbursement of up to $40. The answer to the question will be found in each month's newsletter articles.
This month's ? is: When is the window for submissions for the newly renamed SA Emerging Cinematographer Award?
Some of the free passes we have been receiving recently aren't necessarily movies that interest our members so hopefully this may help as they can choose what they want to see. It would be great if members who do win write a brief review of what they thought of the film they saw and send it to me before the end of the month. In anticipation, thank you.
T&C's: A member may only win 1 double pass prize in any financial year.
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AC Magazine point of contact
 SA Committee member, Michael Tessari, has become the SA branch point of contact for stories from SA ACS members for our quarterly National AC magazine.
So if you've been on an interesting shoot or location, found a bit of unusual kit, shot a fabulous short film, feature or news story please get in touch with Michael asap.
There is quite a lead time from assembly to print and then post so try and let Michael know if you think you'll have something for the magazine. Michael may supply you with a pro forma document to help with the layout and content of your stories.
Please supply the highest rez pictures you can as the mag won't use low quality pics.
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Peter James ACS ASC Masterclass
| How do you get the chance to learn, in person, from a master cinematographer? |
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| Simple. Join the Peter James ACS ASC 2 Day Masterclass on the NEW DATES of March 18th and 19th in Melbourne, presented by Silver Victorian ACS sponsor ShotClass. See below for details on how to apply. |
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A rare opportunity! Spend two full days with master cinematographer, Peter James ACS ASC as he takes you through setting up and shooting a variety of scenes. The masterclass will take place both Interior and Exterior at practical locations and will include day and night interiors and a night exterior.
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| Exactly how does a master of cinematography film a scene? Peter’s creative mind will see opportunity that drives those choices. That is the gift of the cinematographer’s eye. You will be a part of the decision-making process and learn how to consider all options – and then choose one. With him you will explore composition and lighting. Two simple words for a million ideas. |
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Peter James ACS ASC is internationally renowned for his beautiful cinematography and stills photography. He is an AFI/AACTA Award Winner and an inductee into the ACS Hall of Fame. Peter is one of Australia’s pre-eminent cinematographers with an extensive career shooting Feature Films both for the USA and Australia, as well as high-end, award-winning commercials for cinema and television.
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His images are exquisite. His portraiture composition and lighting unmatched. Peter is a true master of his craft, a passionate educator and sharer of his vast knowledge. Having the opportunity to learn from legends like Peter should be grasped with both hands. |
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Date: March 18 & 19 2023
Duration: 2 x 8hr Days (Likely to include one day/night session)
Cost: See link below for details |
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Report on 2nd AC Course
 Hi all, Tam here! Recently I completed a 2nd Assistant Camera Certificate Course and Ernie asked me to write a story about the experience.
In early February I made my way to Melbourne for a ten day 2nd AC course run by ShotClass and the ACS Victorian branch. It was an amazing experience where I and 12 other aspiring AC’s were able to learn valuable skills and protocols that are sure to help us in our careers in the camera department.
The course was run by SA expat Vanessa Cox and Warwick Field ACS and was held at various rental houses around Melbourne with 10+ guest speakers all with great insights which they were eager to share with us.
Day one was held at VA Hire in Port Melbourne and during introductions I was delighted to find I wasn’t the only one to have made the trek from Adelaide - SA ACS member Sarah Nguyen had also come over to learn and grow as an AC.
During the course we were trained in set etiquette and did ‘slating drills’ every morning where we had to get the slate in the right spot without being able to see the monitor, we also had to keep camera notes for each slate that we did. We learned data wrangling, lens/filter cleaning, camera builds, actor and focus marking, different camera menus & how to change settings and we even got to learn how to load 16mm and 35mm film mags!
All of the guest speakers were friendly and encouraging and it was great to hear from people in various roles and departments about how the 2nd AC role fits in. One highlight for me was getting to hear from Katie Milwright ACS about her passion and respect for the 2nd AC role and what she looks for in a good AC, having begun as one herself.
The course ended with a four-part exam held at Lemac in Richmond where what we had learned was put to the test. We all passed and have received certificates of our achievements.
I’m so glad I applied for this course, whilst I’d already had some experience in the 2nd AC role, it was a great way to gain a really thorough understanding of everything it entails and to have the time to ask questions about specifics. It was also so great to meet so many talented and inspiring people in our industry. Since completing the course I’ve hit the ground running and already been out on set to hone my skills. Massive thanks to Vanessa and Warwick for putting on this course and helping open doors for us rookies, it really means so much to us. Pic: Katie Milwright ACS inspires us at Cameraquip.
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Profile Nic Datson
Please introduce yourself and tell us your role within the industry?
 Hi, I’m Nic Datson and I’m a freelance Gaffer, currently specialising in short form & TVC work. The pic on the left is me working on a Yah Yah films tourism TVC in the Barossa.
Where did you start and how did you land in our industry?
I started my working career as an A class electrician, specialising in lighting installations. I was keen to explore the more creative side of electrics and lighting and Film / TV instinctively felt like a good fit.
I started my film journey with six months working as 4th LX on McLeod’s Daughters, followed by another year as 3rd LX. Working on a fast-moving TV series shooting solidly 9 months of the year and all shot on film was the perfect scenario to cut my teeth and paved the way for my future career. Pic is my 1st gig on McLeod's Daughters with gaffer Tom Moody, Best boy Werner Gerlach & 3rd LX Peter Guiliani.
After McLeod’s, I went freelance as an LX Assist and Best Boy working on both long and short form. In more recent years, I took the final leap to invest in my own equipment, now working exclusively as a Gaffer.
What specific skills do you need to do your job?
First and foremostly, the ability to play nicely with others and to lift heavy things! And then my electrical background, penchant for the creative and love of buying new toys definitely helps.
Being adaptable to production needs, time constraints and budget are other good skills to have. If the time and the place is right, you may not even see me on-set… the sun, a bounce and a neg might be all you need… and other times – the entire gear list is out.
Who has had an influence on your career?
I’ve received something from almost everyone I’ve been lucky enough to work with, but early on I was blessed to learn from great Adelaidean gaffers such as Richard Rees-Jones, Graham Shelton, Andy Robertson and Tom Moody.
Nowadays, I especially appreciate working with the talented and varied cinematographers working across short form. Short form work means sometimes I can work with three different DOP’s in a week and they all work very differently which is what keeps it interesting for me. It goes from “Here’s a rough lighting plan, let’s workshop it over the next few weeks” to “Let’s just make it up on the day I’m across your gear list” and then there’s anything and everything in between. The pic is of a custom built floating LED prism for Showpony's 'Flinders Fearless' Campaign.
I also never stop learning from other LX assists and Grips who are constantly bringing something new to the table. Everyone does things a little differently, different gear, different ways of rigging and different lighting techniques. Working and collaborating with other crew is a great way to find things that work for you.
Do you have any advice for young people getting into the industry.
 Be kind and respectful to every single person on set, ALWAYS. Don’t ever be late. Do have fun.
Pic: Making the shot work on the day for the DOP... We can clean this stuff later!
Have you won any awards along the way?
Well, I was ‘Crew Member of the Day’ once on 1st AD Brad Lanyon’s Instagram.
Thanks Nic, it's great to have technicians from across the board as members of our branch.
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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
March 6 - Committee Meeting
March 10, 11 & 12 Judging for National ACS Awards for Cinematography at ACS HQ
Hopefully Colour Grading night coming soon
April 3 - Committee Meeting
May 1 - Committee Meeting
May 6 - National ACS Awards in Sydney plus satellite events
May 7 - National Executive meeting @ ACS HQ Sydney
June 1 - Invoice Membership fees
June 5 - Committee Meeting
June 30 - Membership fees due date
July 1 to 14 - SA Emerging Cinematographer Submissions window
July 3 - Committee Meeting
August 1 to 21 - Awards Entry Window
August 7 - Committee Meeting
September 1 to 21 - Accreditation Application window
September 1 to 3 - 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 28 - 43rd Annual SA & WA ACS Awards for Cinematography
November 6 - SA AGM
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.
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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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