Welcome to what will be the last ACS Tas Newsletter put together by me as your local President. 
 
As planned, I intend to step down as Branch President at our upcoming Annual General Meeting.  After 14 years in the role, it’s well and truly time for some fresh ideas, enthusiasm and insights into what the Society does at a local level.  Tas Vice President Tom Waugh has kindly offered to put himself forward as a nominee to take up the reins, which is a great relief.  If you have ever thought about giving it a go, or perhaps taking up a supporting role, now is the time to consider it and get in touch to nominate.

 

In the last couple of years, I’ve also been greatly supported by our current National President Erika Addis.  It’s been an absolute honour to work with Erika on some of the important National initiatives she is driving, like the updating of our Articles of Association, which is work I will to continue to be involved with in the months ahead.  Erika is a big fan of our Branch and was a very welcome guest at our recent ‘Women Behind the Lens’ event in Hobart.  Erika really helped to make it the successful event it was.
 

 

I must admit my internal drive to create and run local events has flagged a little in recent times.  This year I’ve had some significant personal-life distractions and have also found it hard to get some local members to commit to doing ACS presentations, which is a shame.  That said we’ve actually done some really good things in the last 12 months and there’s a ripper event coming up in late August, to coincide with our AGM - thanks to Nick Hayward and Fraser Johnston who are prepared to share their insights and experiences directing, shooting and producing the fabulous Platypus Guardian documentary that aired recently on the ABC.  More on this event later in the newsletter.
 
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all current and former ACS members who’ve been involved in Branch activities while I’ve been President.  I won’t mention individuals here, for fear of omitting someone, but I have been very fortunate to have some fabulous support from people I’m proud to call true friends, as well as ACS Tas members. Thank you all.
 
I have no doubt the future is bright for the ACS locally and nationally and I plan to continue to contribute to the Society at both levels, albeit as a ‘back-room’ person once more!  
 
I really hope to see as many of you as possible at our upcoming AGM on Sunday August 27^th. Please make an effort to get there if you can (in person or by zoom) and consider getting involved to support our new President. I certainly will be.

Peter Curtis ACS
ACS Tas President 2009-2023.
 

ACS Memberships
 

In early June most of you would have received an emailed annual ACS membership renewal invoice for 2023/24. The membership payments are now automated and managed nationally, rather than by individual Branches. If for some reason you haven't received your invoice and/or reminder, please contact our local treasurer Mitchell Woolnough on the link below. It’s most likely because your email information on the database is not up to date. Unpaid memberships will be automatically suspended at the end of July, so if you wish to maintain your membership, please sort the payment very soon.
 
This a good time to log on to your ACS profile and check things are up to date, including your membership type. This can be very important if you want to apply for Accreditation in the future.  Also 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. 
 
Of course, we understand that some members may be finding things financially challenging at this time, so please don't hesitate to let us know, and we may be able to work out a plan to maintain your membership and keep you involved.

The Platypus Guardian team - (L-R) Fraser Johnston, Nick Hayward and Daniel van Duinkerken.

Proud Tasmanian ACS Members Nick Hayward and Fraser Johnston are the driving force behind this highly-acclaimed one hour documentary, that recently aired on ABC-TV. This isn't a typical wildlife documentary.  For a start it's set in a semi-urban environment - the Hobart Rivulet, and although it features the habits of these iconic creatures living along the rivulet, it's also the very personal human story of Hobart resident, Peter Walsh and his interactions and experiences with these amazing creatures.

 

This will be a very informative and enlightening event as Nick and Fraser intend to  screen key sequences from The Platypus Guardian and discuss the challenges and techniques they used to shoot them.  Questions from attendees will be welcome throughout this event so it will be a wonderful opportunity for us to learn more about high-end wildlife documentary making.

 

If you haven't already seen The Platypus Guardian we encourage you to take a look prior to this ACS Tas Event. 

Click on the link below. 

 

AWARDS and ACCREDITATION
 

A reminder to those considering applying for Accreditation this year that now is the time to contact me so we can get the process rolling and still leave plenty of time to put together a strong submission.
 
ACS Vic/Tas Awards entries open on August 1^st this year and close on Aug 21, so start getting your entries sorted so you are ready to go from next week.

ACS members must be paid-up in order to enter the Awards, so if you're yet to renew your membership we suggest you do so straight away to avoid disappointment. 
 

The presentation of the ACS Victoria and Tasmania Awards for Cinematography 2023, will be held on Saturday 18th November 2023. Gold Award winners will automatically be entered into the National ACS Awards held in May 2024.

 

So start preparing your best work and get ready to enter. Good luck!