ASC Calls for Entries for Student Award

Tim Tyler · August 25, 2005

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is accepting applications for the ASC Jordan Cronenweth Heritage Award. The award is presented annually to one or more students enrolled at colleges and universities in the United States that offer film study curriculums. Submissions are due by November 1.

"The Heritage Award is designed to encourage the next generation of

cinematographers to pursue their dreams," says Laszlo Kovacs, ASC, who chairs

the ASC Education Committee, which offers many outreach programs to aspiring

cinematographers and other filmmakers.

The Heritage Award is dedicated annually to the memory of a

cinematographer who made enduring contributions to advancing the art form.

"Jordan Cronenweth (ASC) was a gifted artist and a courageous human

being," he says. "He created an enduring legacy of films that touched our

hearts and souls despite a debilitating illness which significantly affected

and shortened his career and finally claimed his life."

Cronenweth was born and raised in Los Angeles where his father was a

studio portrait photographer and his mother was a former Busby Berkeley

dancer. He spent countless hours at the studio watching his father manipulate

light and shadows to record images that dug beneath the surface of the faces

of the actors. Cronenweth said that he had boyhood thoughts about becoming an

engineer, which explain his passion for mastering cinematography.

He began his career in the still photo lab at Columbia Studios. Many

years later, Cronenweth said that was where and when he learned how to take

pictures one frame as at time. He began working with Conrad Hall, ASC in 1966

as an assistant cameraman on HARPER. Cronenweth was subsequently Hall's

camera operator on COOL HAND LUKE, IN COLD BLOOD, HELL IN THE PACIFIC and BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID.

Cronenweth earned his first cinematography credit in 1970 for BREWSTER

MCCLOUD. His credits during the next seven years included an eclectic mix of

such memorable films as ZANDY'S BRIDE, THE FRONT PAGE and ROLLING THUNDER, and occasional telefilms, e.g. BIRDS OF PREY.

Cronenweth was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1978. He was in

constant pain, but did some of his most artful and original work during

subsequent years, including ALTERED STATES and CUTTER'S WAY, two of his

personal favorites.

There were times when his crew literally had to carry him out to the set

while he was shooting BLADE RUNNER in 1982. Director Ridley Scott's dark view

of the future of humanity got minimal notice from fans and critics in the

United States, but Cronenweth earned the English equivalent of the Oscar from

the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

"BLADE RUNNER called for extremes in lighting," Cronenweth said. "It was

theatrical, but it also had to be very realistic." Years later, Leonard

Maltin wrote, "The world of BLADE RUNNER has undeniably become one of the

visual touchstones of modern movies."

In 1987, Cronenweth won the first ASC Outstanding Achievement Award for

PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED, for which he also earned an Oscar nomination.

After he was nominated by his peers Cronenweth said, "Most people in the

industry appreciate how we practice the craft. I hope these awards lead to a

better understanding of the art of cinematography so more directors are

willing to take chances and give us more latitude."

Cronenweth went on to shoot several other features, including GARDENS OF

STONE and STATE OF GRACE, and the landmark documentary U-2: RATTLE AND HUM, along with some 50 television commercials. He earned his last feature credit

for FINAL ANALYSIS in 1992. Cronenweth died on November 29, 1996, at the age

of 61.

"Jordan Cronenweth was a remarkably talented artist and an admirable human

being," says Kovacs. "He played a unique and important role in both the

evolution of the art of cinematography and in the history of ASC. The

recipient(s) of this year's Heritage Award should feel proud that it is

dedicated to his memory, and find inspiration in his artistry and values."

Applicants for the Jordan Cronenweth Heritage Award must be in either

their final year of film school or a recent graduate. Requirements include a

recommendation by the dean, department head or a faculty member and submission

of a student film. Kovacs says that the ASC jury will evaluate both the

artistry and skill with which the contenders tell stories with moving images