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Applications opened today for the 2021 class of HPA’s Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) program. For five years, YEP has connected ambitious and talented creative, technical, project management and administrative professionals between the ages of 21 and 32 with mentors and educational offerings that accelerate their professional development. Applications are due Monday, October 12, and applicants will be notified of their status in mid-November. The 2021 YEP class will begin in January 2021. Since its inception in 2015, the YEP program has nurtured the critically important pipeline of young professionals ascending into industry leadership positions. Every year, the number of applications has increased, and YEP alumni continue to move into influential roles in the industry and maintain their relationship with the program and HPA. “We continue to be inspired by the young professionals who apply for and become YEPS,” said Kari Grubin, who co-created the YEP program with fellow WIP Chair and HPA board member Loren Nielsen. “The application process shows us that there are a number of exciting candidates who have long term goals for their careers, and we strongly believe that YEP is the place for them to get guidance and connection.” Nielsen noted, “It’s an understatement to say that this is an unusual time. To help these accomplished young people build their networks, peer groups and knowledge is completely thrilling. We look forward to seeing the class of 2021 take shape.” The YEP program comprises two distinct phases. Phase 1 will run for 5 months (January through May), beginning with the YEP orientation day. Attendance at the YEP orientation is mandatory along with participation in at least one other major event (e.g., the HPA Tech Retreat). YEPs are also expected to attend at least four virtual events or casual meet-ups during the full year program. Phase 2 of the YEP program will begin in May. In addition to receiving free or reduced fee access to YEP and other HPA community events, YEPs will be evaluated by the Mentorship Committee for pairing with an industry leader based on each individual’s participation and overall commitment to the program. At the end of the second phase, YEPs will be evaluated by the Mentorship Committee for eligibility to receive the certificate of completion. During the course of the Young Entertainment Professionals program, each YEP will receive access to the following: • SMPTE Virtual Technical Conference pass – November 9-12, 2020 • YEP Orientation Program • Annual Membership in HPA • Annual Membership in SMPTE • Entrance to the HPA Awards • YEP Roundtable Mentor Event • HPA Tech Retreat Conference Pass • Periodic in-person or virtual YEP events (could include coffee meet-ups, vendor field trips, virtual office hours, online mentor Q&A sessions) • Access to HPA’s virtual event series and members-only content library • Discounted or free admission throughout the year to HPA NET, Women in Post, and YEP events • Digital Certificate of Completion (based on Mentorship Committee Review) Upon successful completion of the YEP program, graduates will receive formal recognition as an HPA Class of 2021 Young Entertainment Professional at a culmination event. Grubin closed with “HPA is a place where those who participate make connections that last a lifetime. Becoming a YEP puts you in a great position to do just that, and if you are able to invest in your YEP experience, it will be an invaluable asset as you build your career. We encourage you to apply.” To be considered for the YEP program, applicants need to complete an online application and present one letter of recommendation. To learn more about the YEP program and HPA, visit www.hpaonline.com.

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) announced this year’s Student Heritage Award winners at an event at the ASC Clubhouse in Hollywood on October 12. Three student filmmakers were chosen from 12 nominees for demonstrating exceptional cinematography skills in their submitted work. The 2019 winners are: Richard H. Kline Student Heritage Award – Graduate Category: • Lucas Dziedzic from the American Film Institute for “Animals” Richard H. Kline Student Heritage Award – Undergraduate Category: • Oscar Ignacio Jimenez from Brigham Young University for “Gather” Haskell Wexler Student Documentary Award: • Jazleana Jones from Florida State University for “King, Charles” “After watching the nominees’ work, it’s exciting to see how the next generation of filmmakers visually interprets scripts for the screen,” says ASC President Kees van Oostrum. “Our winners took a genuine approach to telling stories that evoked a range of emotions, impressing the jury of ASC members. Their mastery of the art and craft of cinematography is inspiring and bodes well for the future of entertainment.” Designed to encourage and support a new generation, the annual ASC Student Heritage Awards also celebrate the memory of an ASC member. This year’s Undergraduate and Graduate Award was named in honor of Oscar®-nominee Richard H. Kline, ASC (“Camelot,” “King Kong”). The Documentary category is dedicated to multi Oscar®-winner Haskell Wexler, ASC (“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” “Bound for Glory”). Numerous past ASC Student Heritage Awardees have gone on to successful careers in filmmaking and several are now ASC members themselves, including Nelson Cragg, Masanobu Takayanagi, and Lisa Wiegand. For additional information about the ASC, visit www.theasc.com, and follow them on Instagram (@the_asc), or join American Cinematographer on Facebook, Twitter (@AmericanCine), and Instagram (@american_cinematographer).

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has chosen 12 nominees in three categories of the 2019 Student Heritage Awards. Recognizing exceptional work by cinematography students, the organization designed the ASC Student Heritage Awards to encourage and support a new generation of visual artists. Winners will be announced on October 12. The ASC Student Heritage Awards also celebrate the memory of an exceptional cinematographer and are named each year in honor of esteemed ASC members. This year’s Undergraduate and Graduate Award is named in honor of Oscar®-nominee Richard H. Kline, ASC (Camelot, King Kong). The Documentary category is enduringly dedicated to Oscar®-winner Haskell Wexler, ASC (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Bound for Glory). The 2019 nominees represent seven universities nationwide. The contenders are: Richard H. Kline Student Heritage Award – Graduate Category: • Lucas Dziedzic from the American Film Institute for Animals • Frances Kroon from the American Film Institute for Balloon • Xiaowen Li from the University of Southern California for Crush • Adam Schneider from Chapman University for Skin Hunger • Mengtao Sun from Chapman University for The Perfumer Richard H. Kline Student Heritage Award – Undergraduate Category: • Agustina Biasutto from Pratt Institute for Philotimo • Nathan Cohen from Florida State University for Existent • Kai Dickson from Savannah College of Art and Design for The Fray • Oscar Ignacio Jimenez from Brigham Young University for Gather Haskell Wexler, ASC Student Documentary Award: • Jazleana Jones from Florida State University for King, Charles • Kathryn Boyd-Batstone from the University of Southern California for God Bless the Cook • Bruce Chiu from the University of Southern California for Life on A String Many ASC Student Heritage Award winners have gone on to have successful careers in filmmaking, and several have been invited to be ASC members themselves, including Nelson Cragg, Masanobu Takayanagi, and Lisa Wiegand. For additional information about the ASC, visit www.theasc.com, and follow them on Instagram (@the_asc), or join American Cinematographer on Facebook, Twitter (@AmericanCine), and Instagram (@american_cinematographer).