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LOS ANGELES (December 13, 2016) - Honoring one of Hollywood's biggest icons, the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) will bestow their Board of Governors Award on director Denzel Washington on February 4, 2017, during the 31st ASC Awards at Hollywood & Highland's Ray Dolby Ballroom. The organization presents the accolade to individuals in the industry whose body of work has made significant and indelible contributions to cinema. It is the only ASC Award not given to a cinematographer, and is reserved for filmmakers who have been champions for directors of photography and the visual art form. The director made his directorial debut with Antwone Fisher (2002). His second feature, The Great Debaters, followed in 2007. Washington's current project is the critically acclaimed film Fences, written by August Wilson and based on his Pulitzer Prize-winning play, which will be released on Christmas Day. In addition to producing and directing the movie, Washington reprises his original Tony Award®-winning role alongside Viola Davis. "Denzel Washington is an amazing director and actor, and a conscious force in these challenging times," notes ASC President Kees van Oostrum. "A true artist is empowered by the era they live in, and he expresses an awareness of the world around us through his work. It is that strength of character that we honor with the ASC Governors Award." Washington has starred in over 50 films and television shows, in addition to his theater roles and directing credits. He received his first Academy Award® for the historical war drama Glory (1989) and a second for the crime thriller Training Day (2001). He began his career in New York theater productions, and rose to fame when he landed the role of Dr. Phillip Chandler on the NBC long-running hit television series St. Elsewhere. Washington's other television credits include The George McKenna Story, License to Kill and Wilma. When Washington crossed over into the world of film, he garnered critical acclaim for his portrayal of real life figures. He earned his first Oscar® nomination for Cry Freedom (1987), as South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. From there, he went on to portray Muslim minister and human rights activist Malcolm X in Malcolm X (1992), boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter in The Hurricane (1999), football coach Herman Boone in Remember the Titans (2000), and drug kingpin Frank Lucas in American Gangster (2007). He also starred in Much Ado About Nothing, A Soldier's Story, Crimson Tide, Devil in a Blue Dress, and Inside Man. Washington was mostly recently seen in Antoine Fuqua's remake of The Magnificent Seven and before that, they teamed up for The Equalizer. The actor also appeared in 2 Guns and Unstoppable. Washington is a recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented to him at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards earlier this year. He received a Golden Globe nomination yesterday for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture-Drama for Fences. Previous recipients of the ASC Board of Governors Award include Ridley Scott, Barbra Streisand, Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts, Christopher Nolan, Warren Beatty, Francis Ford Coppola, Sally Field, Morgan Freeman, Ron Howard, Sydney Pollack, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, among many others.

LOS ANGELES (October 17, 2016) - The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) honored three student filmmakers tonight at their annual student awards presentation, held at the organization's clubhouse. The competition is designed to highlight the work of emerging talent, and inspire the next generation of filmmakers. The winners are: ASC Vilmos Zsigmond Student Heritage Award, Graduate Category Andrew Jeric from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts for Prisoner ASC Vilmos Zsigmond Student Heritage Award, Undergraduate Category Emmett Sutherland from the Art Center College of Design for Closer ASC Haskell Wexler Student Award, Documentary Category Colin F. Shepherd of the Rochester Institute of Technology for Into the Microscope A panel of prestigious ASC members judged the entries. Jeric, Sutherland and Shephard were selected from 18 nominees for demonstrating their exceptional abilities in cinematography in their submitted works. "It's exciting to see the incredible level of artistry coming out of film schools," says ASC President Kees van Oostrum. "It was difficult to choose among the large pool of talent, but these students have achieved what our members saw to be a professional level of visual storytelling. We hope to encourage them to continue on their career path in filmmaking." The ASC Student Heritage Awards are renamed annually in memory of an extraordinary ASC member. This year, the awards are dedicated to two cinematic legends: Zsigmond and Wexler. Zsigmond won an Academy Award® for Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and earned additional nominations for The Deer Hunter (1979), The River (1985) and The Black Dahlia (2007). He also won an Emmy® for shooting the HBO movie Stalin (1993). Wexler began his career shooting documentaries and remained a passionate documentarian. He earned Academy Awards for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) and Bound for Glory (1976), and also received nominations for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (shared with Bill Butler, ASC), Matewan and Blaze. In 1969, Wexler wrote, directed and shot Medium Cool, which is studied by film students worldwide for its cinéma vérité style. The ASC Student Awards were inaugurated in 1999, with the Documentary category added in 2012. Past winners include Lisa Wiegand, ASC; Lukas Ettlin; Masanobu Takayanagi, ASC; Nelson Cragg; and Benji Bakshi, among many others who have become directors of photography or carved out careers in the filmmaking industry.

Hi, I stopped shooting 4-5 years ago due to a sports injury which lead me to working in another field but now I want to start shooting again and I'm feeling a bit behind in the tech, workflow and rusty in my skills. I'm lucky enough to be visiting LA early next year & I'm looking at the ASC Masterclass. I'm concerned it's not really hands on? Is it? Isn't it? I see they're using the Alexa and going through the most current workflows etc but is it mostly learning through demonstration or are we able to get our hands on the tech, lights & set up some shots? Anyone who's done it got any reviews? What did u get out of it? Can anyone recommend an int-adv Cinematography workshop that's very hands on in or around LA? I don't often get over to the US so I'd really like to grab the opportunity. Thanks.

LOS ANGELES (September 15, 2016) - The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has set February 4, 2017, as the date for their 31st Annual Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography. Daryn Okada, ASC will serve as awards chair, with Lowell Peterson, ASC, as co-chairman. The ceremony will take place at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland. The ASC will honor excellence in feature film and television cinematography, along with recognizing several cinematographers and filmmakers for their contributions to the art and craft of filmmaking throughout their career. The organization has also officially opened the submission process for the television competition. The ASC is now accepting entries in three categories: (1) Episode of a Television Series - Commercial; (2) Episode of a Television Series - Non Commercial; and (3) TV Movie/Miniseries/Pilot. The deadline for submissions is November 1 by 5 p.m. (PT). To qualify for the ASC TV awards, shows must have a premiere broadcast date in the United States between November 1, 2015, and October 31, 2016. Entry forms can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/ascawardstventryform on the ASC website. The timeline for the 31st ASC Awards is as follows: September 14 - Student Award Nominees Announced October - Honorees Announcement for Lifetime Achievement Award, Career Achievement in Television Award, International Award, and Presidents Award October 15 - Student Award Winners Announced November 1, 5 p.m. PT - Deadline for Television Entries November 22 - Television Nominations Announced December - Board of Governors Award Recipient Announced December 1 - Spotlight Award submissions due December 12 (week of) - Nominations Ballots sent (Theatrical Release Only) December 31 - Awards year ends (Theatrical Release Only) January 6 - Deadline for Theatrical Nomination Ballots January 9 (week of) - Spotlight Nominations Announced January 10 - Theatrical Nominations AnnouncedJanuary 23 - Spotlight Award Final Ballots Due January 28 - ASC Open House January 30 - Final Polls Close (Theatrical Release Only) February 4 - 31st Annual ASC Awards Show Last year's ASC Awards winners included: Emmanuel Lubezki, ASC, AMC (THE REVENANT); Vanja Cernjul, ASC, HFS (CASANOVA); Pierre Gill, CSC (MARCO POLO); Adam Arkapaw, ACS (MACBETH); and Mátyás Erdély, HSC (SON OF SAUL). John Toll, ASC, Lowell Peterson, ASC, Bill Bennett, ASC and Ridley Scott were also honored at the awards gala for their body of work. Chartered in January of 1919, the ASC is defined by their reputation of excellence in advancing the art of visual storytelling. Currently, the ASC has more than 360 active members and 200-plus associate members, all from various sectors of the industry that support the skilled art and craft of filmmaking. Membership and associate membership is achieved through invitation only. For additional information about the ASC, visit www.theasc.com, or join American Cinematographer on Facebook and Twitter (@AmericanCine).

American Society of Cinematographers Announces Finalists for 2016 Student Heritage Awards LOS ANGELES (September 14, 2016) - Continuing their mission to advance the art of cinematography by inspiring and educating the next generation of filmmakers, the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has announced the nominees for the 2016 ASC Haskell Wexler Student Documentary Award and the Vilmos Zsigmond Student Heritage Award for Undergraduates and Graduates. A panel of prestigious ASC members judged the entries, and selected 18 students from a talented pool of filmmakers with exceptional abilities in cinematography. The students represent 12 different U.S. film schools; winners will be revealed on October 15. The finalists are: Documentary category: Rachel Bardin of the University of Texas at Austin, RTF for Nocturne Mina Fitzpatrick of Northwestern University for Run of Press Colin F. Shepherd of Rochester Institute of Technology for Into the Microscope In the Undergraduate category: Logan Fulton of Loyola Marymount University for Clementine Tyler Harmon-Townsend of UNCSA School of Filmmaking for The Roma Project Marz Miller of Art Center College of Design for Opaque Ian Quill of Chapman University for The Witching Hour Isaiah Rendon of University of Texas at Austin, RTF for Barrow Emmett Sutherland of Art Center College of Design for Closer Derek Tonks of University of Southern California for Simon Parker In the Graduate category: Jeremy Donaldson of Florida State University for Isa and the Frog Prince Simu Feng of American Film Institute Conservatory for Breathe Wesley Hunt of American University School of Communication/Film for Moonshot Andrew Jeric of USC School of Cinematic Arts for Prisoner Kai Krause of American Film Institute Conservatory for Unremarkable Matthew J. Petrunak of Kent State University for Paper Harvest Nicholas Ramsey of Chapman University for Angeltown Jessica Ynez Simmons of Northwestern University for Emerald Ice The ASC Student Heritage Awards are renamed annually in memory of an extraordinary ASC member. This year, the awards are dedicated to Wexler and Zsigmond--both cinematic legends and beloved ASC members. Wexler, who began his career shooting documentaries and remained a passionate documentarian, earned an Academy Award® in 1966 for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and a second Oscar® in 1976 for Bound for Glory. He also received nominations for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (shared with Bill Butler, ASC), Matewan and Blaze. In 1969, Wexler wrote, directed and shot Medium Cool, which is studied by film students worldwide for its cinéma vérité style. In 1992, he was honored with the ASC Lifetime Achievement Award. "Haskell was a revered, successful commercial moviemaker whose passion for nonfiction storytelling never wavered," shared ASC President Kees van Oostrum. "It is fitting that this award be given in honor of Haskell who always effused enthusiasm for the documentary community, and was a mentor to many." Zsigmond was one of the Society's most distinguished members. In 1978, he earned an Academy Award® for Close Encounters of the Third Kind. He received additional nominations for The Deer Hunter (1979), The River (1985) and The Black Dahlia (2007). He won an Emmy® in 1993 for shooting the HBO movie Stalin. Zsigmond served on the ASC Board of Governors for many years. In 1999, he was honored with the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award. "Film students have been studying Vilmos' brilliant images for years, and will continue to do so long into the future," said van Oostrum. "He was always so generous with his time, consistently sharing his experiences with emerging filmmakers and students from around the world. He made a great impact on the art form, both through his own work and the work of those he nurtured." For additional information about the ASC, visit www.theasc.com, or join American Cinematographer on Facebook.

LOS ANGELES (September 8, 2016) - The Technology Committee of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is pleased to announce the publication of its "Cinema Display Evaluation Plan and Test Protocol," which defines a method for the visual evaluation of parameters that characterize next generation cinema projection and active screens. As part of the industry's move to high dynamic range (HDR) and wide color gamut, the document represents the first step towards the goal of identifying where value is created from the filmmaker's point-of-view. It is available for download now here on the ASC Web site. The "Cinema Display Evaluation Plan and Test Protocol" explores the capabilities in projectors and displays that go beyond those commonly found in cinema today. The focus is on deeper blacks, practical primaries for wider color gamut, effective contrast ratios, and optimal peak white levels for HDR cinema. Phase one of this work focuses on understanding how different parameter values impact the perception of image quality, establishing a baseline for further testing. The "Test Protocol" is the work of the Next Generation Cinema Display (NGCD) subcommittee of the ASC Technology Committee. The ASC Technology Committee is chaired by Curtis Clark, ASC. The NGCD subcommittee is co-chaired by Michael Karagosian, Eric Rodli, and Steve Schklair. In reference to the release of the new paper, ASC President Kees van Oostrum notes, "The ASC was actively involved in the initial roll-out of digital cinema, and we are excited about how new technology can improve the movie-going experience." Clark adds, "Since its beginning, the ASC Technology Committee has supported the efforts of the industry to take the cinema experience to the next level through evaluating advancing technology and its possibilities, while preserving image quality and the creative intent of the filmmakers. Addressing advanced displays and projection is the next step toward leading the creative and technical community in promoting enhanced digital cinema presentations. We look forward to collaborating with the industry to achieve this important objective." Formed in 2002, the ASC Technology Committee examines emerging imaging technologies in an effort to understand and advise ASC membership and the motion picture industry in the convergence of new digital imaging technologies with traditional motion picture techniques. The Committee consists of several subcommittees focusing on advanced imaging, cameras, digital displays, digital intermediate, metadata, workflow, virtual production, and preservation and restoration. Among the group's list of achievements are the ASC Color Decision List (CDL), the ASC-PGA Camera Assessment Series, the ASC-PGA Image Control Assessment Series, the ASC-DCI Standard Evaluation Material (STEM), and contributions to the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) and the AMPAS/ASC Common LUT format. The ASC CDL has already won three prestigious honors: a Scientific and Technical Achievement Award from the Academy, a Primetime Emmy Engineering Award, and a Hollywood Post Alliance (HPA) Judges Award for Creativity and Innovation. For more information, visit www.theasc.com.

LOS ANGELES (April 13, 2016) - The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) will put James Neihouse, ASC in the spotlight to discuss his experience making the IMAX film A Beautiful Planet. The panel, moderated by journalist David Heuring, is part of the Creative Master Series at The National Associations of Broadcasters (NAB) show in Las Vegas. It will be held on Monday, April 18 from 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. in room S220 at the convention center. Neihouse will reveal his multi-year preparations and last-minute adaptations for this IMAX-NASA collaboration, which will be released exclusively in IMAX and IMAX 3D theaters beginning April 29. Narrated by Academy Award®-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence and directed by Toni Myers, A Beautiful Planet is a breathtaking portrait of Earth from space, providing a unique perspective and increased understanding of the planet and galaxy as never seen before. Made in cooperation with NASA, the film features stunning footage of Earth - and the effects humanity has had on it over time - captured by the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). A veteran of large-format films, Neihouse has trained a number of astronauts to shoot in space, including those involved in the unforgettable Hubble 3D in 2010. On A Beautiful Planet, Neihouse was again responsible for choosing all the equipment and preparing the astronauts to photograph Earth's natural beauty and the electric intensity of human expansion. As part of the discussion, Neihouse will divulge his thought process from conception to execution, including his earthbound adaptations when the shuttle originally slated to bring the images home became inoperable. Neihouse worked on his first IMAX film, directed by Graeme Ferguson, one of the co-founders of IMAX, soon after graduating from the Brooks Institute of Photography. That project, Ocean, was the first underwater film made in the format. Since that time Neihouse has gone on to work on 30-plus IMAX and other large-format films. Neihouse's first credit as director of photography was on The Eruption of Mount St. Helens, the first IMAX film to be nominated for an Academy Award®. Neihouse has contributed to some of the most successful giant-screen films. His credits include The Dream Is Alive, Space Station 3D, HUBBLE 3D, and Ocean Oasis, to name a few. His work has garnered many awards and accolades, including two Giant Screen Cinema Association Achievement Awards for Best Cinematography, and a Kodak Vision Award. He is a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, cinematographers branch, and became a member of the ASC last year. For more information, visit www.theasc.com, or www.nabshow.com.

I was wondering in this ASC Masterclas day 2 photo of the set what the purpose of the diffusion frame above and in front of the ziplight is? In the consecutive photographs in the Day 2 album on FB, you can see the configuration for both behind the shoulders is the same - zip's as backlight + frontal fill, and diffusion frame above and in front of each one. Extension of the hair light and slightly wrapping (from above) in front of face? Some illumination for the table? Here is the FB link: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanCinematographer/photos/ms.c.eJxlzMENgEAQQtGODLiwO~;TfmPFkgteXDwQtIKEOlrIufrIzLdNN8pPdq~;TKnGnpldnP1t2N2Y3VzcErD3pvLwA~-.bps.a.10154006849658493.1073741828.16007063492/10154009914968493/?type=3&theater

Hello, Does anyone have experience taking the ASC Masterclass (http://www.theasc.com/site/asc-master-class/)? I am considering it in 2016 but all information on the website is pretty thin. Thanks in advance Sean Donnelly Director of Photography Corduroy Media www.corduroymedia.com

Awards Gala Set for February 14, 2016 LOS ANGELES (September 9, 2015) - Celebrating 30 years of recognizing outstanding achievements in cinematography, the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is now accepting entries in their annual television competition. The two awards in this category are (1) Television Movie, Miniseries or Pilot, and (2) an Episode of a Regular Series. The deadline for submissions is November 2 by noon (PST). The winners will be announced at the awards gala on February 14, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency Century City. Accolades for Lifetime Achievement, Career Achievement in Television, and the ASC President's Award will also be presented. Additional honors bestowed that night include the coveted feature film award, along with the Spotlight Award, which recognizes the cinematography of non-mainstream projects typically screened at film festivals, internationally or in limited theatrical release. To qualify for the ASC TV awards, shows must have a premiere broadcast date in the United States between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015. Entry forms can be downloaded from the ASC website. Last year's winners were Jonathan Freeman, ASC for the "Golden Days for Boys and Girls" episode of BOARDWALK EMPIRE, and John Lindley, ASC for the for the MANHATTAN pilot. Chartered in January of 1919, the ASC is defined by their reputation of excellence in advancing the art of visual storytelling. Currently, the ASC has more than 360 active members and 200-plus associate members, all from various sectors of the industry that support the skilled art and craft of filmmaking. Membership and associate membership is achieved through invitation only. For additional information about the ASC, visit www.theasc.com, or join American Cinematographer on Facebook and Twitter (@AmericanCine).

LOS ANGELES (August 17, 2015) - In support of their mission to advance the art of cinematography by inspiring and educating the next generation of filmmakers, the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has announced the nominees for the 2015 ASC Gordon Willis Student Heritage Awards. A blue-ribbon panel of ASC members judged the entries and selected 13 students from a talented pool of filmmakers with exceptional abilities in cinematography. The students represent 11 different U.S. film schools; winners will be revealed on September 26. The finalists are as follows. In the Undergraduate category: Nicolas Aguilar Ketchum of Chapman University for RUN Garrett Nicholson of Ithaca College for NIGHTFIRE Sten Olson of Chapman University for DARKSTAR Casey Schendel of Cal State University Northridge (CSUN) for THE DEATH OF COLM CANTER Oren Soffer of New York University for RESERVATIONS West Webb from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts for NO TIP In the Graduate category: Justin Alpern of Chapman University for STRAW DOLLS Paul Cannon of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) for AWAKE John Wakayanna Carey of Columbia University School of the Arts for TWO SISTERS Steven Holloway of American University for THE DEFEAT x3 Nico Navia from the American Film Institute (AFI) for AGAINST NIGHT Justin Perkinson of UCLA for RANDOM STOP In the Documentary category, the judges nominated only one finalist, making Rob Scribner of Full Sail the winner for WARBIRD PILOT: BEHIND THE VISOR. The ASC Student Heritage Awards are renamed annually in memory of an extraordinary ASC member. This year it is dedicated to Gordon Willis, the legendary cinematographer of THE GODFATHER trilogy. Over the course of a superlative career, Gordon (who passed away in May of 2014) was awarded an honorary Oscar® in 2009 and also received Academy Award® nominations for his work on ZELIG and THE GODFATHER: PART III. Some of his other ground breaking credits include KLUTE, THE PAPER CHASE, THE PARALLAX VIEW, THE DROWNING POOL, ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, ANNIE HALL, MANHATTAN, STARDUST MEMORIES, PENNIES FROM HEAVEN, BROADWAY DANNY ROSE, PRESUMED INNOCENT and MALICE. He received the ASC Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. "There can be no doubt that Gordon Willis was one of the two or three greatest cinematographers who ever lived," said ASC President Richard Crudo. "His bold inventiveness changed the way movies looked, and cut the path for everything we've come to accept as outstanding cinematography. These students are only beginning their dance with the art form; there is no better example for them to study as they strive to reach the next level." For additional information about the ASC, visit www.theasc.com, or join American Cinematographer on Facebook.

WHAT: 2015 Cine Gear Expo ACES Panel WHEN: Saturday, June 6th, 10:15 to 11:30AM WHERE: Sherry Lansing Theater, Paramount Studios DESCRIPTION: After years of research and development, ACES 1.0 has arrived. ACES enables DPs and directors to preserve the on-set creative intent and carry it into dailies, editorial, VFX, the DI and on into archiving. It does this, in large part, by addressing many of the long-standing color management issues facing today’s productions. Hear from hands-on filmmakers and technologists how ACES came into being, why it is important and how it impacts the creative and practical production process. Gain insight into how ACES can help simplify workflows, solve color reproduction issues on a wide range of displays, facilitate the integration of footage from multiple camera models and lenses, and provide a single color management standard. PANELISTS: Curtis Clark, ASC - director of photography; chairman, ASC Technology Committee; recipient, AMPAS Scientific and Technical Achievement Award (ASC-CDL); recipient, ASC Presidents Award Theo van de Sande, ASC - director of photography Award; nominee, 2014 ASC Award (“Deliverance Creek”) Bobby Maruvada - digital imaging technician and colorist John Daro - digital intermediate colorist, FotoKem (“Deliverence Creek”) Ray Feeney - ACES Project Committee co-chair, AMPAS MODERATOR: Mark Weingartner – VFX director of photography; chair, ICG National Training Committee; member, ASC Technology Committee Presented by ICG and ASC Technology Committee, in cooperation with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 7, 2015 - Five directors of photography will vie for the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Award in the theatrical motion picture category at the organization's 29th Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony. The nominees are: Roger Deakins, ASC, BSC for Unbroken Óscar Faura for The Imitation Game Emmanuel Lubezki, ASC, AMC for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) Dick Pope, BSC for Mr. Turner Robert D. Yeoman, ASC for The Grand Budapest Hotel The winner will be revealed on February 15 during the annual ASC Awards gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles. "These nominees represent a fabulous slate selected from a particularly rich field of work this year," says ASC President Richard Crudo. "It's amazing how these cinematographers have once again redefined the boundaries of what we do." This is Deakins' 13th ASC nomination. He previously won for Skyfall (2013), The Shawshank Redemption (1995) and The Man Who Wasn't There (2002). His other nominations include Fargo (1997), Kundun (1998), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2001), No Country for Old Men (2008), The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2008), Revolutionary Road (2009), The Reader (2009), True Grit (2011) and Prisoners (2014). He was also the recipient of the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. Lubezki won the ASC Award last year for Gravity. He also took home top honors for The Tree of Life (2012) and Children of Men (2007), and was nominated in 2000 for Sleepy Hollow. Pope previously earned a nomination for The Illusionist (2007). These are the first ASC nominations for Faura and Yeoman. For more information regarding the ASC Awards, visit the ASC website at www.theasc.com, or call 323-969-4333.

Magazine's October Edition Includes 46-Page Tribute to the Legendary Artist LOS ANGELES - The prolific career and life of the legendary Gordon Willis, ASC will be the focus of American Cinematographer magazine's October issue, which will include never-before-published excerpts from a conceptual memo on The Godfather, a pictorial spread featuring rare behind-the-scenes photos with Willis' own comments, and personal memories from his collaborators and peers. This is only the second time in the magazine's history that an issue has been dedicated to a sole ASC member. Previously, the May 2003 issue was devoted to Conrad L. Hall. "Gordon Willis had a tremendous impact on the art form, and we wanted to honor and acknowledge his contributions in a meaningful way," said American Cinematographer Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Stephen Pizzello, author of the forthcoming book Gordon Willis on Cinematography. "If there were a Mount Rushmore for cinematographers, Gordon's features would surely be chiseled into the rock face." Willis, who passed away in May, was awarded an honorary Oscar® in 2009 for his lifetime of achievements in cinematography. He was also nominated for Academy Awards® for his work on Zelig and The Godfather: Part III. In addition to the Godfather trilogy, his credits include such memorable films as Klute, The Paper Chase, The Parallax View, The Drowning Pool, All the President's Men, Annie Hall, Manhattan, Stardust Memories, Pennies from Heaven, Broadway Danny Rose, Presumed Innocent, and Malice. The ASC honored Willis with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. The commemorative issue includes interviews with prominent directors, actors, crewmembers and admirers who worked with Willis during his career, including Francis Ford Coppola, Woody Allen, Steven Soderbergh, Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, James Caan, Jane Fonda, and ASC members Owen Roizman, Michael Chapman, Caleb Deschanel and John Bailey, among others. In addition to the anecdotes and insights from Willis' peers, the magazine will feature unforgettable images from Willis' films, a Q&A chapter titled "Supervising a Set" from Pizzello's book, and personal essays by ASC President Richard Crudo and writer Jon Boorstin, associate producer of All the President's Men and director's assistant on The Parallax View. "Since Gordon Willis was one of the greatest cinematographers who ever lived, this issue promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime collector's piece," notes ASC President Richard Crudo. "Anyone with an interest in his work will certainly want to keep it for future reference as well as for its fascinating insights to what he was like as a man." The October issue of American Cinematographer is available to purchase online now in the American Cinematographer Store or on newsstands in late September. For more information on American Cinematographer, visit the magazine's website, or follow the publication on Facebook and Twitter (@AmericanCine).

Annual Awards Gala Set for February 15, 2015 LOS ANGELES, September 5, 2014 - The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is accepting submissions in the television categories for the 29th Annual ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards. The two categories are (1) Television Movie, Miniseries or Pilot, and (2) an Episode of a Regular Series. The deadline for entries is noon (PST) on November 3. Winners will be named during the awards gala, set for February 15, 2015, at the Hyatt Regency Century City. To qualify, shows must have premiere broadcast dates in the United States between November 1, 2013, and October 31, 2014. Entry forms can be downloaded from the ASC website. "The landscape of television is changing tremendously, and achieving compelling images has never been more challenging," says ASC Awards Chairman Lowell Peterson. "Our goal is to highlight some of the best work being done under tremendous time and budget pressures while demonstrating a high level of art and craft in our field." The ASC was chartered in January 1919. There are more than 360 active members of ASC, and 200-plus associate members from sectors of the industry that support the art and craft of filmmaking. Membership and associate membership is by invitation based on contributions that individuals have made to advance the art of visual storytelling. For additional information about the ASC, visit www.theasc.com. Join ASC on Facebook and (@AmericanCine).

Longtime Editor Stephen Pizzello Assumes Dual Roles The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has appointed Stephen Pizzello to serve as editor-in-chief and publisher of its flagship magazine American Cinematographer. Other editorial appointments include the promotions of Jon Witmer to managing editor, and Rachael Bosley to managing director of the ASC's website (theasc.com) and social media channels. Andrew Fish has been brought on to serve as associate editor, and Kelly Brinker is the magazine's new photo editor. The ASC Board promoted Pizzello from his previous position as executive editor, a title he held for 19 years. During Pizzello's tenure as executive editor, American Cinematographer earned six Folio: Editorial Excellence Awards ("Eddies"), 10 Maggie Awards, and dozens of Maggie nominations. As a writer, he has earned two Eddie Awards, a Maggie Award and six other Maggie nominations. Witmer previously fulfilled the role of associate editor, and Bosley was a senior editor. Fish is an independent blogger for The Huffington Post and a former staff editor at Venice magazine. Brinker is a photography instructor and former photojournalist. Now in its 95th year, American Cinematographer is one of the entertainment industry's oldest monthly print journals. Its mission is to "serve filmmakers by exploring the artistic thought processes of the film industry's most innovative and talented directors of photography, and explaining the technical means by which they realize their creative visions, whether on film, video, or with computers." In fulfilling those goals, the magazine "seeks to keep readers abreast of advancements in all facets of motion-picture imaging technology - the tools cinematographers use to ply their trade - and to inform them of visually extraordinary productions, including feature films, television shows, commercials and music videos."

LOS ANGELES - The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has chosen three winners for the 2014 ASC Linwood Dunn Student Heritage Awards. The honors were announced last night during a ceremony at the organization's clubhouse here. Designed to showcase the artistic abilities of the next generation of filmmakers, the recipients were noted for their cinematographic abilities. The winning students and their projects are: Graduate Award: WINNER: Guy Pooles from the American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory for "Dirty Laundry" Undergraduate Award: WINNER: Harper Alexander from University of North Carolina School of the Arts for "Starlight" Documentary Award: WINNERS: Matthew Blake of Chapman University for "Forest Keepers" "Congratulations to all our student award nominees and winners," said ASC President Richard Crudo in his remarks at the awards ceremony. "This is a great moment in your lives and one you will always remember fondly. I urge you to make the most of it and to continue working hard toward your goal of becoming a cinematographer." Each year, the ASC Heritage Award is rededicated in memory of an individual who advanced the art and craft of cinematography. This year's Heritage Award is dedicated to the memory Linwood Dunn, ASC. Twice elected ASC president, Dunn was also a governor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in two different branches, and was instrumental in the formation of the Academy's Visual Effects branch. His many accolades include an Oscar® for visual effects in 1949 for the original "Mighty Joe Young," the Academy's prestigious Gordon E. Sawyer Award, and the ASC Presidents Award. Always keenly interested in technology, Dunn was an inventor at heart and a true filmmaking pioneer; his innovations include the first zoom lens and the first optical printer. At age 93, he was involved in the development of digital projection. The Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood was named for his contributions to the motion picture industry. To qualify, instructors at film schools recommended two students for each category from their school, who then submitted their film for judging. A Blue Ribbon panel of ASC members judged the entries. For additional information about the ASC, visit www.theasc.com, or join ASC on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AmericanCinematographer and Twitter (@AmericanCine).

International Cinematographers Guild to Field Workflow Panel at Cine Gear Los Angeles, June 3, 2014…The International Cinematographers Guild (ICG, IATSE Local 600) is producing a panel discussion on “New Workflow Choices and the Director of Photography” at the 2014 Cine Gear Expo in the Sherry Lansing Theatre on the Paramount Pictures lot this Saturday, June 7, from 10:15 to 11:30. The panelists are Paul Cameron, ASC, Director of Photography (Total Recall, Dead Man Down), Mark Doering-Powell, Director of Photography (ABC’s Super Fun Night; CW’s Everybody Hates Chris), Steven Poster, ASC, Director of Photography, National President, ICG (Donnie Darko; Someone to Watch Over Me), Andrew Turman, Director of Photography (Target, Lexus), Michele deLorimier, Digital Imaging Technician ( DIT) & Phantom Tech (Cover Girl’s Pink; Cream Reunion at the Royal Albert Hall), Bobby Maruvada, Digital Imaging Technician (DI colorist Project X, After Earth) and E. Gunnar Mortensen, Focus Puller (Amityville Horror: Locked In, Cooties). Digital Imaging Technician Joshua Gollish (Skyfall, Prisoners) will moderate. The panel will discuss how Directors of Photography and their crews encounter an ever-expanding range of approaches to color management and dailies. These new paths profoundly impact the DP’s artistic style and every aspect of their job, including on-set operations and creative environment and communication with the director, talent, editorial and postproduction. This group of leading DPs and other camera crew members will examine how their workflow choices on recent, high profile motion picture and TV projects impacted the filmmaking process, the craft and the product. http://www.cinegearexpo.com/83/ Press Contact: Rick Markovitz Weissman/Markovitz Communications rick@publicity4all.com 818-760-8995

HOLLYWOOD – The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has chosen 12 student filmmakers from 10 U.S. film schools as nominees in the 2014 ASC Linwood Dunn Student Heritage Awards. The awards are designed to showcase the artistic abilities of the next generation of filmmakers, with a focus on their cinematography skills. Winners will be announced June 14. The nominees are (listed alphabetically): In the Undergraduate category: Freddy Domini Alcantara of City College of New York for HARVARD ON HUDSON Harper Alexander of University of North Carolina School of the Arts for STARLIGHT Jackson Eagan of Ithaca College, Roy H. Park School of Communications for DOOR TO DOOR Jeanpaul Isaacs of Rutgers University for ACROSS DYSTOPIA Mike Reyes of Art Center College of Design for HERO SANDWICH Arden Tse of Loyola Marymount University for THE IMPERFECT METHOD In the Graduate category: Matthew Edwards of University of Southern California for VICIOUS Wesley Hunt of American University for AMONG THE LOST Guy Pooles of the American Film Institute for DIRTY LAUNDRY Doug Potts of Chapman University for ANDRE FOSTER And in the Documentary category: Matthew Blake of Chapman University for FOREST KEEPERS Benjamin Mullinkosson of Chapman University with THE PINK HELMET POSSE The ASC Student Heritage Awards were established to inspire the next generation of cinematographers and to help them pursue their dreams. It is re-named annually in celebration and memory of an extraordinary ASC member. This year's Heritage Award is dedicated to the memory Linwood Dunn, ASC. Twice elected ASC president, Dunn was also a governor of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in two different branches, and was instrumental in the formation of the Academy's Visual Effects branch. His many accolades include an Oscar® for visual effects in 1949 for the original Mighty Joe Young, the Academy's prestigious Gordon E. Sawyer Award, and the ASC Presidents Award. Always keenly interested in technology, Dunn was an inventor at heart and a true filmmaking pioneer; his innovations include the first zoom lens and the first optical printer. At age 93, he was involved in the development of digital projection. The Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood was named for his contributions to the motion picture industry. To reach this stage, eligible students must be in undergraduate or graduate school or have graduated within the past year. A dedicated jury of ASC cinematographers carefully views all entries and their voting determines the nominees. For additional information about the ASC, visit www.theasc.com, or join them on Facebook.

Who else is going this saturday? Can I expect to see any of you ASC members there?

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has announced nominations in the theatrical motion picture category of the28th Annual ASC Awards for Outstanding Achievement. The nominees are: Sean Bobbitt, BSC for 12 Years a Slave Barry Ackroyd, BSC for Captain Phillips Philippe Le Sourd for The Grandmaster Emmanuel Lubezki, ASC, AMC for Gravity Bruno Delbonnel, ASC, AFC for Inside Llewyn Davis Phedon Papamichael, ASC for Nebraska Roger Deakins, ASC, BSC for Prisoners The winner will be revealed at the awards ceremony on February 1, at the Hollywood & Highland Ray Dolby Ballroom. “Our members believe these cinematographers have set the contemporary standard for artful, theatrical motion picture cinematography,” says ASC President Richard Crudo. “They have mastered a complex craft which contributes vitally to the storytelling process, and augments the intentions of everyone involved with the production.” Traditionally, the organization selects five nominees, but a three-way tie this year boosts that number to seven. This year’s nomination brings Deakins’ total to 12. He won last year for Skyfall, and previously for The Shawshank Redemption (1995) and The Man Who Wasn’t There (2002). His other nominations were for Fargo (1997), Kundun (1998), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2001), No Country for Old Men (2008), The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2008), Revolutionary Road (2009), The Reader (2009) and True Grit (2011). He was also the recipient of the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. Lubezki has won ASC Awards for The Tree of Life (2012) and for Children of Men (2007), and was also nominated in 2000 for Sleepy Hollow. Delbonnel earned top honors for A Very Long Engagement (2005), as well as a nomination for Amélie (2002). Ackroyd was previously nominated for The Hurt Locker (2010). Papamichael earned previous nominations in the television movie and miniseries category for White Dwarf (1996) and Wild Palms (1994), respectively. This is the first ASC nomination for Bobbitt and Le Sourd. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-asc-cinematography-awards-nominations-20140107,0,2179986.story#axzz2pu9rF15o

I wanted to share this fantastic article on the question "What’s the best professional advice you’ve ever received?" which was often asked in American Cinematographer: http://www.theblackandblue.com/2013/12/16/88-cinematographers-advice/ Really, really great advice here much of which are the perfect answers to some threads we have here sometimes. However I think my favourite answer was: I'm not familiar with the blanket shot tho! Can anyone tell me more! Sounds great! Again, be sure to check out the link above for some fantastic advice! :) Freya

Oscar®-Winner Guillermo Navarro Named 2013 Kodak Cinematographer-in-Residence at UCLA/TFT LOS ANGELES (November 4, 2013) — Kodak and UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT) have announced Oscar®-winner Guillermo Navarro, ASC, AMC will be the 2013 Kodak Cinematographer-in-Residence for the fall quarter at UCLA TFT. The mentorship program will kick off with a free screening of Guillermo Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth on November 4, at the James Bridges Theater in Melnitz Hall. Navarro won the Best Cinematography Oscar® for Pan’s Labyrinth in 2007, and the film received numerous other accolades and critical praise. The screening is free and open to students, staff, faculty as well as the general public. A Q&A discussion with Navarro will be moderated by Professor Bill McDonald following the screening. In his 40-year career, Navarro has worked with such established filmmakers as Bill Condon (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 and Part 2), Guillermo Del Toro (The Devil’s Backbone, Hellboy, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Pacific Rim), Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Till Dawn, Spy Kids), and Quentin Tarantino (Jackie Brown). Navarro is currently filming director Matthew Cullen’s London Fields. “We’re so pleased to be part of this incredibly successful program,” says Worldwide Marketing Director Johanna Gravelle, Entertainment Imaging, Kodak. “We are committed to this industry and supporting emerging talent.” The Cinematographer-in-Residence program was inaugurated by Professor McDonald in 2000 with the support of Kodak to enhance the learning experience of students with insight from renowned cinematographers. UCLA TFT is the only film school that offers a cinematography residency program such as this, where students can receive direct guidance from cinematographers through screenings, workshops and one-on-one sessions over the course of 10 weeks. Past mentors who have participated in the program include Dante Spinotti, ASC, AIC; Allen Daviau, ASC; Conrad L. Hall, ASC; Owen Roizman, ASC; Dean Cundey, ASC; Roger Deakins, ASC, BSC; Laszlo Kovacs, ASC; Joan Churchill, ASC; Stephen Burum, ASC; Victor J. Kemper, ASC; Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC, John Bailey, ASC and Richard Crudo, ASC. For additional information about the November 4 screening, visit http://www.tft.ucla.edu/event/pans-labyrinth-screening/ or call 310-206-8365. Admission is free, and on a first come, first served basis. Parking is available in Lot 3. There is an $12 parking fee. A limited number of pay-by-the-hour parking spaces are also available in Lot 3. # About Kodak's Educational Initiatives: Kodak's ongoing support of student filmmakers and educators encourages excellence in the field of motion picture education. The company's efforts include a range of programs that enrich knowledge and learning experiences in the art and craft of filmmaking. Initiatives range from scholarships, educational materials, and product grants to awards, seminars and workshops. Student film showcases and the annual KODAK Student Scholarship and Student Cinematography Awards also contribute to raising the profile and recognition of emerging talent. For more information, visit www.kodak.com/go/education or join Kodak on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KodakMotionPictureFilm and on Twitter at @Kodak_ShootFilm.

ASC Announces Winners of Savides Student Heritage Awards LOS ANGELES, June 16, 2013 – The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) announced the winning films in the 2013 ASC Harris Savides Student Heritage Awards last night in a ceremony here at the organization’s clubhouse. The awards are designed to showcase the artistic abilities of the next generation of filmmakers, with a focus on their cinematographic abilities. The winners and honorable mentions are: Graduate WINNER: Ryan Broomberg of Chapman University with “The Bright Side” HONORABLE MENTION: Petr Cikhart of AFI for “First in Flight” HONORABLE MENTION: Martin Kobylarz of AFI for “Wolves from Another Kingdom” Undergraduate WINNER: Mishka Kornai of Chapman University for “Straight Down Low” HONORABLE MENTION: Nick Reinhard of Florida State University for “Cootie Contagion” HONORABLE MENTION: Daniel Rink of Brooks Institute for “Ai” Documentary WINNERS: Drew Heskett and Ryan Westra of Chapman University for "We are the Land" HONORABLE MENTION: Dan Duran and Sam Price-Waldman of Chapman University for “Wolf Mountain” Each year, the ASC Heritage Award is rededicated in memory of an individual who advanced the art and craft of cinematography. This year's award is dedicated to the memory of Harris Savides, ASC. Savides earned Independent Spirit Award nominations for his photography of Gerry, Elephant, Last Days, Milk and Greenberg. In 2008, he was nominated for a BAFTA for American Gangster. Savides was known for his stunning cinematography on such acclaimed films as The Game, The Yards, Finding Forrester, Margot at the Wedding, Zodiac and Somewhere. He was highly lauded for his imagery of award-winning music videos for artists such as Madonna, R.E.M. and Michael Jackson, among others. “Harris wasn’t just an amazingly talented cinematographer, but also a wonderful person,” says Richard Crudo, ASC President. “His point of view and artistry have left a lasting impression on the filmmaking community, and for these students and the generations after them, his influence will have a profound effect.” To qualify, professors at film schools recommended one student for each category from their school, who then submitted their film for judging. A Blue Ribbon panel of ASC members judged the 135-plus entries. The ASC Heritage Award was inaugurated for the purpose of encouraging filmmakers to pursue careers in cinematography. Past winners have gone on to prolific professions. For additional information about the ASC, visit www.theasc.com, or join ASC on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/the.ASC and American Cinematographer magazine fan page at http://www.facebook.com/AmericanCinematographer. #

Richard Crudo Named President (LOS ANGELES, CA) The Board of Governors of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has held its annual election to appoint its new slate of officers. Richard Crudo will serve as president, along with Vice Presidents Owen Roizman, Kees Van Oostrum and Lowell Peterson; Treasurer Victor J. Kemper; Secretary Fred Goodich; and Sergeant-at-Arms Isidore Mankofsky. The members of the Board, elected in May by the organization's active membership, include: Curtis Clark, Dean Cundey, George Spiro Dibie, Richard Edlund, Fred Elmes, Francis Kenny, Matthew Leonetti, Stephen Lighthill, Michael O'Shea, Rodney Taylor and Haskell Wexler. Alternate Board members consist of Kenneth Zunder, Steven Fierberg, Karl Walter Lindenlaub, and Sol Negrin. "I am honored to have another opportunity to serve this great organization," says Crudo, who previously served three terms as ASC president from 2003 through 2005. "Our 94-year history makes us the longest standing group in the motion picture industry. As always, we will be aggressively promoting our art and craft, as well as the related interests of cinematographers everywhere." The ASC carries out its mission of inspiring the next generation of filmmakers through many industry events and initiatives, such as its Student Heritage Awards, Breakfast Club seminars, panel discussions by their Education and Outreach committee, the burgeoning Friends of the ASC membership level, and the org's ongoing collaborations with other industry associations vital to the image-making process. "I want to thank Stephen Lighthill for his hard work and dedication during the past term," Crudo adds. "We operate in an astonishingly fast-moving world, and I look forward to working with him and the other Board members as we expand our efforts on all fronts, from pre-visualization through post-production and image delivery." Crudo is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, serving as an Academy Governor and Chairman of the Cinematographers Branch. In addition, he has chaired and co-chaired the ASC Awards for several years throughout the past decade. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Crudo began his film career as an assistant cameraman. As a director of photography, he has shot a wide range of feature, television and commercial productions. Among his feature credits are Federal Hill, American Buffalo, American Pie, Music From Another Room, Outside Providence, Down To Earth, Out Cold, Grind, Brooklyn Rules, and My Sexiest Year. He has also directed several independent films, and currently shares cinematography duties with Francis Kenny, ASC on the popular FX Channel series Justified. ASC was founded in 1919. There are 330-plus active members today who have national roots in some 20 countries. There are also 150 associate members from ancillary segments of the industry. For additional information about the ASC, visit www.theasc.com, or join ASC on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/the.ASC and American Cinematographer magazine fan page at http://www.facebook.com/AmericanCinematographer. # # # (Photos available on request) Media Contacts: ignite strategic communications Sally Christgau / Lisa Muldowney sally@ignite.bz / lisa@ignite.bz 818.980.3473