The Australian Cinematographers Society (Acs) is currently running an industry survey to get a greater snapshot of the camera workforce, covering off on topics such as career progression and diversity and inclusion.
The census has been designed and structured by Dr Amanda Coles and Professor Deb Verhoeven from Deakin University, together with an Acs working party.
All camera professionals are encouraged to participate, including assistants, freelancers, operators, camera crew and cinematographers – whether Acs members or not.
Delving into the quantity, type and quality of work currently available for those working in camera departments, questions cover off on career path, earnings and income, hiring processes, professional networks, training and professional development, and experiences of workplace bullying, harassment and discrimination. Individual responses are confidential and anonymous.
The findings will be delivered in a report to the Acs executive, with the aim of informing policy and practice for both the organisation itself and the production sector more broadly.
The census has been designed and structured by Dr Amanda Coles and Professor Deb Verhoeven from Deakin University, together with an Acs working party.
All camera professionals are encouraged to participate, including assistants, freelancers, operators, camera crew and cinematographers – whether Acs members or not.
Delving into the quantity, type and quality of work currently available for those working in camera departments, questions cover off on career path, earnings and income, hiring processes, professional networks, training and professional development, and experiences of workplace bullying, harassment and discrimination. Individual responses are confidential and anonymous.
The findings will be delivered in a report to the Acs executive, with the aim of informing policy and practice for both the organisation itself and the production sector more broadly.
- 1/15/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Justine Kerrigan.
After launching the #WhoIsInYourCrew campaign, the Australian Cinematographers Society has taken another step towards achieving greater diversity in its ranks.
Instigated by the Society’s president Ron Johanson, the Acs Women’s Advisory Panel, which was formed eight years ago, has been expanded and renamed as the Acs Diversity, Inclusion and Reconciliation Panel.
As a result, the membership base has been broadened to include cinematographers of colour, Indigenous Australians, Lgbtqi-identifying people and many women from the original Wap, chaired by Justine Kerrigan.
“Working under a mandate to discuss more openly ways to improve these matters within our own Society, in camera departments and on film sets, we anticipate the meetings will become an open forum for all to share thoughts and experiences and to put forward ideas that will help the Society move forward in positive and inclusive ways,” Kerrigan said.
Among the new members of the panel are Cara Hurley,...
After launching the #WhoIsInYourCrew campaign, the Australian Cinematographers Society has taken another step towards achieving greater diversity in its ranks.
Instigated by the Society’s president Ron Johanson, the Acs Women’s Advisory Panel, which was formed eight years ago, has been expanded and renamed as the Acs Diversity, Inclusion and Reconciliation Panel.
As a result, the membership base has been broadened to include cinematographers of colour, Indigenous Australians, Lgbtqi-identifying people and many women from the original Wap, chaired by Justine Kerrigan.
“Working under a mandate to discuss more openly ways to improve these matters within our own Society, in camera departments and on film sets, we anticipate the meetings will become an open forum for all to share thoughts and experiences and to put forward ideas that will help the Society move forward in positive and inclusive ways,” Kerrigan said.
Among the new members of the panel are Cara Hurley,...
- 8/30/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Ben Mendelsohn in ‘Babyteeth’, cast by Kirsty McGregor.
Actor Ben Mendelsohn, casting director Kirsty McGregor, Australian Cinematographers Society (Acs) national president Ron Johanson and the ABC’s Sally Riley are among the Aussies recently invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science (AMPAS).
Other invitees include Dop Nicola Daley, UTA partner Bec Smith and documentary filmmaker Violeta Ayala.
In total, the Oscars body invited 819 people to join its ranks this year, 45 per cent of which were women, 36 per cent from underrepresented ethnic/racial communities, and 49 per cent from outside the Us.
The Academy has been on quest to widen its membership base since 2016. In 2015, only 1446 or 25 per cent of its membership base were women, with the figure now at 3179, or 33 per cent. In 2015, only 10 per cent of, or 554, members were people of colour; that now stands at 1787, or 19 per cent.
The organisation has also tripled the number...
Actor Ben Mendelsohn, casting director Kirsty McGregor, Australian Cinematographers Society (Acs) national president Ron Johanson and the ABC’s Sally Riley are among the Aussies recently invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science (AMPAS).
Other invitees include Dop Nicola Daley, UTA partner Bec Smith and documentary filmmaker Violeta Ayala.
In total, the Oscars body invited 819 people to join its ranks this year, 45 per cent of which were women, 36 per cent from underrepresented ethnic/racial communities, and 49 per cent from outside the Us.
The Academy has been on quest to widen its membership base since 2016. In 2015, only 1446 or 25 per cent of its membership base were women, with the figure now at 3179, or 33 per cent. In 2015, only 10 per cent of, or 554, members were people of colour; that now stands at 1787, or 19 per cent.
The organisation has also tripled the number...
- 7/2/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘Hotel Mumbai’.
Nick Matthews was named Australian cinematographer of the year for his work on director Anthony Maras’ Hotel Mumbai at the annual Australian Cinematographers Society (Acs) National Awards on Saturday night.
In addition, he collected the Gold Tripod for features budgeted above $2 million with Denson Baker receiving an award of distinction in that category for Claire McCarthy’s Ophelia.
In the awards presented online, Dion Beebe, Roger Lanser and John Wheeler were inducted into the Hall of Fame and the Ron Windon Award went to Robb Shaw-Velzen.
For features budgeted below $2 million Joshua Flavell received the Gold Tripod for David Barker’s Pimped and Chris Bland got the award of distinction for Heath Davis’ Locusts.
Among the other honorees, Zoe White won the drama series or telefeatures prize for The Handmaid’s Tale and Katie Milwright took the dramatised documentaries gong for Matthew Sleeth’s Guilty, which chronicles the final...
Nick Matthews was named Australian cinematographer of the year for his work on director Anthony Maras’ Hotel Mumbai at the annual Australian Cinematographers Society (Acs) National Awards on Saturday night.
In addition, he collected the Gold Tripod for features budgeted above $2 million with Denson Baker receiving an award of distinction in that category for Claire McCarthy’s Ophelia.
In the awards presented online, Dion Beebe, Roger Lanser and John Wheeler were inducted into the Hall of Fame and the Ron Windon Award went to Robb Shaw-Velzen.
For features budgeted below $2 million Joshua Flavell received the Gold Tripod for David Barker’s Pimped and Chris Bland got the award of distinction for Heath Davis’ Locusts.
Among the other honorees, Zoe White won the drama series or telefeatures prize for The Handmaid’s Tale and Katie Milwright took the dramatised documentaries gong for Matthew Sleeth’s Guilty, which chronicles the final...
- 5/17/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Recognising that many DOPs are in dire straits financially, the Australian Cinematographers Society is giving one year’s free membership to its 1,600 members.
Acs national president Ron Johanson tells If many members were struggling before the Federal Government decided to deny the $1,500 a fortnight JobKeeper wage subsidy to casual workers.
“Our members were devastated by that decision; they have fallen through the cracks,” he said. “All the state presidents agreed to make membership free for the greater good.”
The initiative kicks in for the financial year starting on July 1. The annual fees range from $160-$250.
That follows the Australian Directors’ Guild decision to give its members a 50 per cent discount.
The 2020 National Acs Awards for Cinematography, which were due to be presented at the National Gallery in Canberra on May 16, will now be held online.
Aiming to keep its members connected, the society conducted its first virtual Acs drop-in event...
Acs national president Ron Johanson tells If many members were struggling before the Federal Government decided to deny the $1,500 a fortnight JobKeeper wage subsidy to casual workers.
“Our members were devastated by that decision; they have fallen through the cracks,” he said. “All the state presidents agreed to make membership free for the greater good.”
The initiative kicks in for the financial year starting on July 1. The annual fees range from $160-$250.
That follows the Australian Directors’ Guild decision to give its members a 50 per cent discount.
The 2020 National Acs Awards for Cinematography, which were due to be presented at the National Gallery in Canberra on May 16, will now be held online.
Aiming to keep its members connected, the society conducted its first virtual Acs drop-in event...
- 4/17/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
The coronavirus pandemic is taking a heavy and growing toll on the screen industry, resulting in the postponement of numerous TV shows including the Seven Network’s Holey Moley and widespread job losses.
Many offices have closed so staff are working remotely and series that are still shooting have closed sets and reduced the number of extras.
Filming of Fremantle/10’s Neighbours stopped today and will resume on Monday to give the creative team time to withstand any impact from Covid-19 by such means as using smaller crews and having less crossover between location and studio crews.
“The impact and devastation to the screen industry will be extreme, there is no doubt about it,” Fremantle CEO Chris Oliver-Taylor told If today.
“Health comes first, then current productions and third the forward slate. Development continues and we are talking to networks internationally and locally about the forward slate.”
Bronte Pictures’ Blake Northfield,...
Many offices have closed so staff are working remotely and series that are still shooting have closed sets and reduced the number of extras.
Filming of Fremantle/10’s Neighbours stopped today and will resume on Monday to give the creative team time to withstand any impact from Covid-19 by such means as using smaller crews and having less crossover between location and studio crews.
“The impact and devastation to the screen industry will be extreme, there is no doubt about it,” Fremantle CEO Chris Oliver-Taylor told If today.
“Health comes first, then current productions and third the forward slate. Development continues and we are talking to networks internationally and locally about the forward slate.”
Bronte Pictures’ Blake Northfield,...
- 3/18/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Stephen Page and Bonnie Elliott on location (photo credit: Jacob Nash).
Australia.s best DPs are gearing up for the 46th National awards for Cinematography, to be held at Nsw Parliament House this Saturday, May 6.
Again hosted by Ray Martin, the awards will recognize work across 18 categories — student projects, documentary, music videos, TV news and the return of the kids category, CineKids.
.We.re trying to encourage primary-school children up to the age of 15 to get involved, and these kids are coming along in leaps and bounds,. says Acs president Ron Johanson. .I think we have 30-40 members all around Australia — these fantastically talented young kids..
Last year.s expo will not be repeated, says Johanson. .We spoke to the sponsors and they felt they.d give it a miss this year because it.s close to Smpte, so we.ll probably have one next year..
Instead the Acs is...
Australia.s best DPs are gearing up for the 46th National awards for Cinematography, to be held at Nsw Parliament House this Saturday, May 6.
Again hosted by Ray Martin, the awards will recognize work across 18 categories — student projects, documentary, music videos, TV news and the return of the kids category, CineKids.
.We.re trying to encourage primary-school children up to the age of 15 to get involved, and these kids are coming along in leaps and bounds,. says Acs president Ron Johanson. .I think we have 30-40 members all around Australia — these fantastically talented young kids..
Last year.s expo will not be repeated, says Johanson. .We spoke to the sponsors and they felt they.d give it a miss this year because it.s close to Smpte, so we.ll probably have one next year..
Instead the Acs is...
- 5/3/2017
- by Harry Windsor
- IF.com.au
Stephen Page and Bonnie Elliott on location (photo credit: Jacob Nash).
Australia.s best DPs are gearing up for the 46th National awards for Cinematography, to be held at Nsw Parliament House this Saturday, May 6.
Again hosted by Ray Martin, the awards will recognize work across 18 categories — student projects, documentary, music videos, TV news and the return of the kids category, CineKids.
.We.re trying to encourage primary-school children up to the age of 15 to get involved, and these kids are coming along in leaps and bounds,. says Acs president Ron Johanson. .I think we have 30-40 members all around Australia — these fantastically talented young kids..
Last year.s expo will not be repeated, says Johanson. .We spoke to the sponsors and they felt they.d give it a miss this year because it.s close to Smpte, so we.ll probably have one next year..
Instead the Acs is...
Australia.s best DPs are gearing up for the 46th National awards for Cinematography, to be held at Nsw Parliament House this Saturday, May 6.
Again hosted by Ray Martin, the awards will recognize work across 18 categories — student projects, documentary, music videos, TV news and the return of the kids category, CineKids.
.We.re trying to encourage primary-school children up to the age of 15 to get involved, and these kids are coming along in leaps and bounds,. says Acs president Ron Johanson. .I think we have 30-40 members all around Australia — these fantastically talented young kids..
Last year.s expo will not be repeated, says Johanson. .We spoke to the sponsors and they felt they.d give it a miss this year because it.s close to Smpte, so we.ll probably have one next year..
Instead the Acs is...
- 5/3/2017
- by Harry Windsor
- IF.com.au
Russell Boyd (r) with Peter Weir (l) shooting Master and Commander.
On May 6, the Acs National Awards for Cinematography will be held at Nsw Parliament House, the 46th edition of the annual awards..
This year, the work of the nominees was judged by a panel of five Acs members — president Ron Johanson plus Russell Boyd, Anna Howard, Ernie Clark and Andrew Taylor — over a three-day period..
Feature nominees this year include Denson Baker (The Dark Horse), Andrew Commis (The Daughter), Katie Milwright (Looking for Grace) and Bonnie Elliott (Spear).
Judging feature work can be a tricky proposition, says Boyd. .We.re there to judge the cinematography, not the story or the direction, although that can influence your decisions..
Boyd may be a veteran, with credits ranging from The Last Wave to Liar Liar, but he has well and truly embraced the digital revolution. .I really only shoot commercials these days and they.re all digital,...
On May 6, the Acs National Awards for Cinematography will be held at Nsw Parliament House, the 46th edition of the annual awards..
This year, the work of the nominees was judged by a panel of five Acs members — president Ron Johanson plus Russell Boyd, Anna Howard, Ernie Clark and Andrew Taylor — over a three-day period..
Feature nominees this year include Denson Baker (The Dark Horse), Andrew Commis (The Daughter), Katie Milwright (Looking for Grace) and Bonnie Elliott (Spear).
Judging feature work can be a tricky proposition, says Boyd. .We.re there to judge the cinematography, not the story or the direction, although that can influence your decisions..
Boyd may be a veteran, with credits ranging from The Last Wave to Liar Liar, but he has well and truly embraced the digital revolution. .I really only shoot commercials these days and they.re all digital,...
- 4/6/2017
- by Harry Windsor
- IF.com.au
The Australian Cinematographers Society (Acs) has joined the Australian Director.s Guild (Adg) in its criticism over the hire of a Canadian director to shoot the upcoming Picnic at Hanging Rock mini-series.
Canadian Larysa Kondracki is set to shoot the first three episodes of the six-episode series, currently in pre-production, alongside Aussie Michael Rymer.
In a statement, Acs National President Ron Johanson said: .Quite frankly we are astounded that, given the wealth of directorial talent in Australia, someone from overseas has been given the honour to helm the majority of this new version of Joan Lindsay.s novel. So with that in mind I would like to publicly state that the Acs is fully supportive of the Adg.s condemnation..
.It.s also worth noting that this is not a co-production and is being fully financed in Australia. As a professional body that supports Australian talent the Acs is incredibly...
Canadian Larysa Kondracki is set to shoot the first three episodes of the six-episode series, currently in pre-production, alongside Aussie Michael Rymer.
In a statement, Acs National President Ron Johanson said: .Quite frankly we are astounded that, given the wealth of directorial talent in Australia, someone from overseas has been given the honour to helm the majority of this new version of Joan Lindsay.s novel. So with that in mind I would like to publicly state that the Acs is fully supportive of the Adg.s condemnation..
.It.s also worth noting that this is not a co-production and is being fully financed in Australia. As a professional body that supports Australian talent the Acs is incredibly...
- 12/12/2016
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Tania Lambert shoots a Toyota Tvc.
If speaks to cinematographers Anna Howard, Tania Lambert, Katie Milwright, Mandy Walker, Bonnie Elliott, Emma Paine, Velinda Wardell, Sky Davies and Ashley Barron about rising up the ranks, the gender gap and the DPs that inspire them.
No woman has ever won the Oscar for best cinematography. In fact, no woman has ever been nominated. In Australia, Abs statistics to 2011 put the percentage of female directors of photography at around 6 percent. Were you aware of the gender divide at the beginning of your career?
Lambert: I was keenly aware of the gender imbalance in the camera department when I first started as a camera assistant. It didn.t bother me a huge deal, but I felt I had to work extra hard to be respected in that role. There were only a few female camera assistants I knew of and one female Dop, Anna Howard,...
If speaks to cinematographers Anna Howard, Tania Lambert, Katie Milwright, Mandy Walker, Bonnie Elliott, Emma Paine, Velinda Wardell, Sky Davies and Ashley Barron about rising up the ranks, the gender gap and the DPs that inspire them.
No woman has ever won the Oscar for best cinematography. In fact, no woman has ever been nominated. In Australia, Abs statistics to 2011 put the percentage of female directors of photography at around 6 percent. Were you aware of the gender divide at the beginning of your career?
Lambert: I was keenly aware of the gender imbalance in the camera department when I first started as a camera assistant. It didn.t bother me a huge deal, but I felt I had to work extra hard to be respected in that role. There were only a few female camera assistants I knew of and one female Dop, Anna Howard,...
- 9/15/2016
- by Harry Windsor
- IF.com.au
The Australian screen Industry Group has blasted the Federal Government for cutting Screen Australia's budget by more than $50 million in just 18 months. .
Asig, which consists of all the guilds, unions and associations that represent more than 10,000 Australian filmmakers, has issued a statement outlining its concerns over the cuts and their impact on the industry..
"The Australian Screen Industry Group... are angered by the recent cut to Screen Australia by the Turnbull Government," according to a statement..
"We are particularly alarmed at the use of funds to supplement the tax offset for overseas productions..
"This is a worrying precedent and continues to provide the local and international screen community with uncertainty about the government's approach to the screen industry..
"The Asig calls on the Turnbull Government to outline an effective and innovative policy for the screen industry rather than making policy on the run."
The impact of the December Myefo budget...
Asig, which consists of all the guilds, unions and associations that represent more than 10,000 Australian filmmakers, has issued a statement outlining its concerns over the cuts and their impact on the industry..
"The Australian Screen Industry Group... are angered by the recent cut to Screen Australia by the Turnbull Government," according to a statement..
"We are particularly alarmed at the use of funds to supplement the tax offset for overseas productions..
"This is a worrying precedent and continues to provide the local and international screen community with uncertainty about the government's approach to the screen industry..
"The Asig calls on the Turnbull Government to outline an effective and innovative policy for the screen industry rather than making policy on the run."
The impact of the December Myefo budget...
- 1/5/2016
- by Brian Karlovsky
- IF.com.au
Andrew Lesnie was remembered as one of Australia.s finest cinematographers and a warm and generous bloke at a celebration of his life and career on Sunday.
Dozens of collaborators and friends including Sir Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, Cate Blanchett, George Miller, Chris Noonan, Bill Bennett, Craig Monahan, Jack Thompson and Andrew Mason gathered to pay tribute to Lesnie, who died in April after a heart attack, aged 59.
Ray Martin hosted the event, Remembering Andrew, staged by the Australian Cinematographers Society at Event Cinemas Bondi Junction.
Video tributes from Russell Crowe, Bruce Beresford, Martin Freeman, Sir Ian McKellen, Barrie Osborne, Don McAlpine, Richard Roxburgh, Dean Semler and Peter Menzies Jnr, among others, were screened.
Among the clips of his work shown were The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (for which he won an Oscar) and other Jackson-directed films, The Water Diviner, Babe, Healing and Two If By Sea.
Dozens of collaborators and friends including Sir Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, Cate Blanchett, George Miller, Chris Noonan, Bill Bennett, Craig Monahan, Jack Thompson and Andrew Mason gathered to pay tribute to Lesnie, who died in April after a heart attack, aged 59.
Ray Martin hosted the event, Remembering Andrew, staged by the Australian Cinematographers Society at Event Cinemas Bondi Junction.
Video tributes from Russell Crowe, Bruce Beresford, Martin Freeman, Sir Ian McKellen, Barrie Osborne, Don McAlpine, Richard Roxburgh, Dean Semler and Peter Menzies Jnr, among others, were screened.
Among the clips of his work shown were The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (for which he won an Oscar) and other Jackson-directed films, The Water Diviner, Babe, Healing and Two If By Sea.
- 7/12/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Josh Farmelo has been presented with the 2015 Nfsa-acs John Leake Award for Emerging Cinematographer.
The announcement was made at the Australian Cinematographers Society (Acs) national awards held on Saturday in Hobart.
A partnership between the Acs and the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, the award carries a cash prize of $3,000.
Farmelo said, "The recognition really means a lot - it is very encouraging and validating for a young cinematographer to be acknowledged with such an award, and it reaffirms I.m on the right track. It is really an honour to be chosen by the Acs and Nfsa to receive the award and I look forward to the opportunities it will present..
Last year he won the Gold Award in the Acs Student Cinematography category for his work on the short film Twenty Forty Three. His other works include Cigarettes Burn Faster in the Sun and Small Hands.
The announcement was made at the Australian Cinematographers Society (Acs) national awards held on Saturday in Hobart.
A partnership between the Acs and the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, the award carries a cash prize of $3,000.
Farmelo said, "The recognition really means a lot - it is very encouraging and validating for a young cinematographer to be acknowledged with such an award, and it reaffirms I.m on the right track. It is really an honour to be chosen by the Acs and Nfsa to receive the award and I look forward to the opportunities it will present..
Last year he won the Gold Award in the Acs Student Cinematography category for his work on the short film Twenty Forty Three. His other works include Cigarettes Burn Faster in the Sun and Small Hands.
- 5/5/2015
- by Staff writer
- IF.com.au
The Railway Man.s Garry Phillips won the Gold Tripod for best feature at the Australian Cinematographers Society (Acs) national awards, an event dedicated to the memory of Andrew Lesnie. Phillips also got the Acs.s highest honour, the Milli Award, for which all Golden Tripod recipients were eligible.
Ben Nott received an award of distinction in the feature category for Predestination. Adam Arkapaw.s True Detectives episode 4 was feted for best telefeature, miniseries, TV drama or comedy, and Andrew Commis got the award. of distinction for Devil's Playground. Best dramatised documentary was Jim Frater.s The War That Changed Us episode 1. Joel Lawrence won the best international news award for Tsunami Anniversary. The audience at the awards, which were presented on Saturday night at Moma, stood for a minute's silence for Oscar-winner Lesnie, 59, who died last Monday. . National president Ron Johanson said, .We need to acknowledge the love and...
Ben Nott received an award of distinction in the feature category for Predestination. Adam Arkapaw.s True Detectives episode 4 was feted for best telefeature, miniseries, TV drama or comedy, and Andrew Commis got the award. of distinction for Devil's Playground. Best dramatised documentary was Jim Frater.s The War That Changed Us episode 1. Joel Lawrence won the best international news award for Tsunami Anniversary. The audience at the awards, which were presented on Saturday night at Moma, stood for a minute's silence for Oscar-winner Lesnie, 59, who died last Monday. . National president Ron Johanson said, .We need to acknowledge the love and...
- 5/3/2015
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
Academy Award-winning cinematographer Andrew Lesnie has died at the age of 59. Leslie was the cinematographer for Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, for which he won his first and only Oscar in 2002. He afterwards continued to shoot for Jackson, lensing "King Kong," The Lovely Bones" and "The Hobbit" trilogy. "Andrew Lesnie and Peter Jackson would giggle behind the camera together like the most mischievous pair of movie masters that I've seen," said film critic Harry Knowles, who visited the set of "The Lord of the Rings." Jackson's New Zealand production house, Weta Digital, posted their condolences on Facebook: "Our memories of Andrew will always be of a wonderful and caring person who looked out for the technicians around him, was keen to have a good laugh and keep everyone jollied along, even when things were at the most stressful for everyone." Ron Johanson, president of the Cinematographers Society in.
- 4/28/2015
- by Casey Cipriani
- Indiewire
Oscar-winner, who worked with Peter Jackson on the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, most recently collaborated with Russell Crowe on The Water Diviner.
The unexpected death of Australian cinematographer Andrew Lesnie has sparked an outpouring of touching sentiment about his skills behind the camera, his huge contribution to his own and New Zealand cinema and also, from those who knew him, his decency and goodwill.
“After 17 years and eight movies together, the loss of Andrew is very hard to bear,” said Peter Jackson in a Facebook post this evening. He described him as “one of the great cinematographers of our time” and “an irreplaceable part of my family” who “always had my back”.
Jackson sought him out for the fantasy/adventure The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring because of the quality of his work on the Australian fairytale Babe. The New Zealand-based collaboration earned Lesnie the 2002 Academy Award for his cinematography...
The unexpected death of Australian cinematographer Andrew Lesnie has sparked an outpouring of touching sentiment about his skills behind the camera, his huge contribution to his own and New Zealand cinema and also, from those who knew him, his decency and goodwill.
“After 17 years and eight movies together, the loss of Andrew is very hard to bear,” said Peter Jackson in a Facebook post this evening. He described him as “one of the great cinematographers of our time” and “an irreplaceable part of my family” who “always had my back”.
Jackson sought him out for the fantasy/adventure The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring because of the quality of his work on the Australian fairytale Babe. The New Zealand-based collaboration earned Lesnie the 2002 Academy Award for his cinematography...
- 4/28/2015
- by Sandy.George@me.com (Sandy George)
- ScreenDaily
The Australian Cinematographers Society will dedicate its annual awards to be handed out in Hobart on Saturday to one of its most esteemed members, Andrew Lesnie, who died on Monday.
Acs president Ron Johanson spoke for many when he told If today, .Andrew was one of our greatest cinematographers. It.s a huge loss. He leaves such a void..
Lesnie, who was 59, had been suffering from heart problems.. He won an Oscar for Best Cinematography in 2002 for Peter Jackson.s Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring and a BAFTA award in 2004 for Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.
He shot The Hobbit trilogy and Jackson's King Kong and The Lovely Bones, a collaboration which spanned eight movies and 17 years.
On his Facebook page Jackson wrote, "Andrew created unforgettable, beautiful images on screen, and he did this time and again, because he only ever served what he...
Acs president Ron Johanson spoke for many when he told If today, .Andrew was one of our greatest cinematographers. It.s a huge loss. He leaves such a void..
Lesnie, who was 59, had been suffering from heart problems.. He won an Oscar for Best Cinematography in 2002 for Peter Jackson.s Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring and a BAFTA award in 2004 for Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.
He shot The Hobbit trilogy and Jackson's King Kong and The Lovely Bones, a collaboration which spanned eight movies and 17 years.
On his Facebook page Jackson wrote, "Andrew created unforgettable, beautiful images on screen, and he did this time and again, because he only ever served what he...
- 4/28/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Aacta.s Raymond Longford Award almost certainly will be renamed the Longford Lyell Award in recognition of Lottie Lyell, the Australian film pioneer.s partner in life and filmmaking. Producer Tony Buckley has been lobbying for the change for two years, a campaign that has been widely supported. Now Aacta is putting the proposal to its members, seeking feedback by October 10. .We think it.s a really good suggestion,. AFI | Aacta CEO Damian Trewhella told If today. .Informally we have had a lot of support and no one has objected. Unless there are strong alternative views there is a strong chance we will adopt the new name.. First presented in 1968, the award is the highest accolade the Australian Academy can bestow upon an individual who has made a truly outstanding contribution to the enrichment of Australia's screen environment and culture. Previous recipients include Peter Weir, Geoffrey Rush, Fred Schepisi, Ken G. Hall,...
- 9/25/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The instigator of a petition calling on the National Film and Sound Archive to be more transparent in the restructure of the Archive and the resulting job losses is disappointed with the response from Nfsa chair Gabrielle Trainor.
Former Melbourne Film Festival director Geoff Gardner says there is little in the letter he got from Trainor to suggest the issues raised in the petition are being addressed.
Signed by 140 directors, producers, writers, actors, academics and journalists, the petition called on the Nfsa to release a business review carried out by CEO Michael Loebenstein and to hold a series of open forums before final decisions are made on terminations and personnel restructures.
The signatories include Acs president Ron Johanson, Adg president Ray Argall, producers Tony Buckley, Richard Brennan and Sue Milliken, actor Jack Thompson, former Nfsa development manager Dominic Case, writer Frank Moorhouse, documentary makers Bob Connolly, Sharon Connolly, David Bradbury,...
Former Melbourne Film Festival director Geoff Gardner says there is little in the letter he got from Trainor to suggest the issues raised in the petition are being addressed.
Signed by 140 directors, producers, writers, actors, academics and journalists, the petition called on the Nfsa to release a business review carried out by CEO Michael Loebenstein and to hold a series of open forums before final decisions are made on terminations and personnel restructures.
The signatories include Acs president Ron Johanson, Adg president Ray Argall, producers Tony Buckley, Richard Brennan and Sue Milliken, actor Jack Thompson, former Nfsa development manager Dominic Case, writer Frank Moorhouse, documentary makers Bob Connolly, Sharon Connolly, David Bradbury,...
- 5/21/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The instigator of a petition calling on the National Film and Sound Archive to be more transparent in the restructure of the Archive and the resulting job losses is disappointed with the response from Nfsa chair Gabrielle Trainor.
Former Melbourne Film Festival director Geoff Gardner says there is little in the letter he got from Trainor to suggest the issues raised in the petition are being addressed.
Signed by 140 directors, producers, writers, actors, academics and journalists, the petition called on the Nfsa to release a business review carried out by CEO Michael Loebenstein and to hold a series of open forums before final decisions are made on terminations, sackings and personnel restructures.
The signatories include Acs president Ron Johanson, Adg president Ray Argall, producers Tony Buckley, Richard Brennan and Sue Milliken, actor Jack Thomson, former Nfsa development manager Dominic Case, writer Frank Moorhouse, documentary makers Bob Connolly, Sharon Connolly, David Bradbury,...
Former Melbourne Film Festival director Geoff Gardner says there is little in the letter he got from Trainor to suggest the issues raised in the petition are being addressed.
Signed by 140 directors, producers, writers, actors, academics and journalists, the petition called on the Nfsa to release a business review carried out by CEO Michael Loebenstein and to hold a series of open forums before final decisions are made on terminations, sackings and personnel restructures.
The signatories include Acs president Ron Johanson, Adg president Ray Argall, producers Tony Buckley, Richard Brennan and Sue Milliken, actor Jack Thomson, former Nfsa development manager Dominic Case, writer Frank Moorhouse, documentary makers Bob Connolly, Sharon Connolly, David Bradbury,...
- 5/21/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
If the 3rd annual Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards could be categorised as a David vs Goliath battle between The Rocket and The Great Gatsby, Goliath is the hands-down winner.
Baz Luhrmann.s opulent romantic drama won six awards tonight, for best film, director, adapted screenplay, lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio, supporting actor Joel Edgerton and supporting actress Elizabeth Debicki.
That.s in addition to the six awards in craft categories plus the Aacta award for outstanding achievement in visual effects bestowed on Luhrmann.s film on Tuesday.
Kim Mordaunt's The Rocket, which had 12 nominations versus 14 for Gatsby, had to be content with just one trophy, for Mordaunt.s original screenplay.
The outcome is likely to reignite the debate about the near-impossibility of comparing a lavishly-mounted 3D film financed by Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures, which cost $160 million, with an independently-funded Lao-set film from a first-time director budgeted at about $2 million.
Baz Luhrmann.s opulent romantic drama won six awards tonight, for best film, director, adapted screenplay, lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio, supporting actor Joel Edgerton and supporting actress Elizabeth Debicki.
That.s in addition to the six awards in craft categories plus the Aacta award for outstanding achievement in visual effects bestowed on Luhrmann.s film on Tuesday.
Kim Mordaunt's The Rocket, which had 12 nominations versus 14 for Gatsby, had to be content with just one trophy, for Mordaunt.s original screenplay.
The outcome is likely to reignite the debate about the near-impossibility of comparing a lavishly-mounted 3D film financed by Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures, which cost $160 million, with an independently-funded Lao-set film from a first-time director budgeted at about $2 million.
- 1/30/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Australian Cinematographers Society national president Ron Johanson felt he was being called to the headmaster.s office when he was asked to take an urgent Skype call from the AFI/Aacta.
CEO Damian Trewhella told him about the Byron Kennedy Award, named after the co-founder of the Mad Max production company Kennedy Miller (now Kennedy Miller Mitchell), who died aged 33 in a helicopter crash in 1983.
The affable Johanson asked, .What.s that got to do with me?. He was flabbergasted when he was informed the Acs is the recipient of the next Byron Kennedy Award, which celebrates outstanding creative enterprise in the film and television industries and is given to an individual or organisation whose work embodies innovation and the pursuit of excellence.
It.s the first time the award, first presented in 1984, has been bestowed on a guild or professional association. Past honorees include Roger Savage, Dion Beebe, Jane Campion,...
CEO Damian Trewhella told him about the Byron Kennedy Award, named after the co-founder of the Mad Max production company Kennedy Miller (now Kennedy Miller Mitchell), who died aged 33 in a helicopter crash in 1983.
The affable Johanson asked, .What.s that got to do with me?. He was flabbergasted when he was informed the Acs is the recipient of the next Byron Kennedy Award, which celebrates outstanding creative enterprise in the film and television industries and is given to an individual or organisation whose work embodies innovation and the pursuit of excellence.
It.s the first time the award, first presented in 1984, has been bestowed on a guild or professional association. Past honorees include Roger Savage, Dion Beebe, Jane Campion,...
- 12/17/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The line where art meets commerce has always been a grey one . even when it is reliant on the public purse. The issue flared in 2011 when government proposals took aim at the regulations which limit foreign actors working on local productions. And it flared again last year when, for the first time, a number of local films employed foreign cinematographers.
The appointments created a ripple of unease among local cinematographers who are regularly lauded as being amongst the world.s best. Of the seven Australians who have won Academy Awards for their work behind the camera, five are still active in the industry: Dean Semler, John Seale, Andrew Lesnie, Russell Boyd and Dion Beebe. A new breed are also making the leap into high-end features such as Ross Emery (The Wolverine), Simon Duggan (The Great Gatsby) and Jules O.Loughlin (Sanctum), just to name a few.
So it came as...
The appointments created a ripple of unease among local cinematographers who are regularly lauded as being amongst the world.s best. Of the seven Australians who have won Academy Awards for their work behind the camera, five are still active in the industry: Dean Semler, John Seale, Andrew Lesnie, Russell Boyd and Dion Beebe. A new breed are also making the leap into high-end features such as Ross Emery (The Wolverine), Simon Duggan (The Great Gatsby) and Jules O.Loughlin (Sanctum), just to name a few.
So it came as...
- 5/28/2013
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Conservationist and cinematographer Ron Taylor Am Acs, who filmed the live shark sequences for Steven Spielberg's classic Jaws, died on September 9 after a long battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
His career spanned more than 50 years across more than 40 films. His first filming break was Playing with Sharks for Movietone News, which received the Britannia Award in 1962. The Taylors then filmed the underwater shark sequences for Jaws in 1968, as well as working on films such as Age of Consent (1969), Taylor's Inner Space (1972), and Orca (1976).
Acs historian Ron Windon Acs and national president Ron Johanson Acs said Ron and Valerie were still active up to the time of his illness, spending many months each year on expeditions to remote corners of the earth.
"He was a wonderful man, who possessed an innate ability to communicate with all those who crossed his path," they wrote in an email to members. "He was a humanitarian,...
His career spanned more than 50 years across more than 40 films. His first filming break was Playing with Sharks for Movietone News, which received the Britannia Award in 1962. The Taylors then filmed the underwater shark sequences for Jaws in 1968, as well as working on films such as Age of Consent (1969), Taylor's Inner Space (1972), and Orca (1976).
Acs historian Ron Windon Acs and national president Ron Johanson Acs said Ron and Valerie were still active up to the time of his illness, spending many months each year on expeditions to remote corners of the earth.
"He was a wonderful man, who possessed an innate ability to communicate with all those who crossed his path," they wrote in an email to members. "He was a humanitarian,...
- 9/10/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
More than 200 people last night saw director Bruce Beresford launch a much-anticipated history of cinematography in Australia, written and compiled by filmmaker Martha Ansara.
The Shadowcatchers; A History of Cinematography in Australia is nearly 300 pages in length and includes nearly 400 photographs of working cinematographers taken on films sets from 1901 to the present day. It includes carefully researched text, biographies of significant Australian cinematographers, and personal anecdotes.
Ansara, Ron Johanson, national president of the Australian Cinematographers Society (Acs) and Calvin Gardiner, chair of the Acs book committee, all spoke at the event, held at the Australian Film, Television & Radio School. Committee members helped on every aspect of the book.s development, writing, picture selection and production.
Many stills photographers, cinematographers, directors, producers, archivists and others also contributed to the massive effort which was published by the Acs and designed by Armedia.
Video messages from Dean Semler and Don McAlpine were shown,...
The Shadowcatchers; A History of Cinematography in Australia is nearly 300 pages in length and includes nearly 400 photographs of working cinematographers taken on films sets from 1901 to the present day. It includes carefully researched text, biographies of significant Australian cinematographers, and personal anecdotes.
Ansara, Ron Johanson, national president of the Australian Cinematographers Society (Acs) and Calvin Gardiner, chair of the Acs book committee, all spoke at the event, held at the Australian Film, Television & Radio School. Committee members helped on every aspect of the book.s development, writing, picture selection and production.
Many stills photographers, cinematographers, directors, producers, archivists and others also contributed to the massive effort which was published by the Acs and designed by Armedia.
Video messages from Dean Semler and Don McAlpine were shown,...
- 6/1/2012
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
The Australian Cinematographers Society has awarded Emmanuel Lubezki Asc AMC with the 2012 Acs International Award for Cinematography for his work on Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life. The pair have collaborated again on Malick’s new film Lawless, currently in production.
The announcement:
The Australian Cinematographers Society National President, Ron Johanson Acs announced in Sydney today that renowned cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki Asc AMC is the recipient of the 2012 Acs International Award for Cinematography for his work on the Terrence Malick film, “The Tree of Life”. This is the second time Lubezki has been the recipient of this Award, having won previously with “Children of Men”.
Mr. Lubezki’s body of work includes, Burn after Reading, The New World, Sleepy Hollow, Ali, Meet Joe Black and is currently shooting Lawless, again with Terrance Malick. His longstanding and successful collaboration with Director, Terrence Malick, is well documented.
Previous recipients have been Dion Beebe Acs Asc,...
The announcement:
The Australian Cinematographers Society National President, Ron Johanson Acs announced in Sydney today that renowned cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki Asc AMC is the recipient of the 2012 Acs International Award for Cinematography for his work on the Terrence Malick film, “The Tree of Life”. This is the second time Lubezki has been the recipient of this Award, having won previously with “Children of Men”.
Mr. Lubezki’s body of work includes, Burn after Reading, The New World, Sleepy Hollow, Ali, Meet Joe Black and is currently shooting Lawless, again with Terrance Malick. His longstanding and successful collaboration with Director, Terrence Malick, is well documented.
Previous recipients have been Dion Beebe Acs Asc,...
- 4/26/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
The Australian Cinematographers Society last month accredited four cinematographers to receive its prestigious Acs designation. The successful cinematographers were: Aron Leong (Qld), Dan Freene (Nsw), Robert Hill (Sa) and John Bean (Qld), who was awarded posthumously. They join 332 other cinematographers accredited by the Acs since 1963 and are now able to use the Acs designation after their names. Ten applications were made by cinematographers who wished to be accredited this year, the society said, but 80 per cent of the judging panel had to vote in favour of an applicant to qualify for the Acs designation. The judging panel, chaired by Ron Johanson Acs, was comprised of: David Burr Acs, Richard Malins Acs, Peter James Acs Asc, Tim McGahan Acs, Alan Cole Acs, Ted Rayment...
- 10/4/2011
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
An Australian Film Institute (AFI)-hosted launch party this evening named Geoffrey Rush founding president of the newly titled Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta), at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay.
Introducing Rush, AFI patron Dr George Miller said, “There is a handful of people who have won the triple crown acting, the Oscar, Emmy and Tony, and he’s the only one to win these awards and an AFI.”
As president, or ‘prez’ as he called himself, Rush announced the name of the new academy, the Australia Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta), which he suggested sounded like a Sydney drag queen.
Addressing the launch, Rush said, “I am honoured to represent our industry as president of the newly-formed Australian Academy. Over half a century ago the AFI was founded and since that time our film and television industries have developed beyond our wildest imaginings.
Introducing Rush, AFI patron Dr George Miller said, “There is a handful of people who have won the triple crown acting, the Oscar, Emmy and Tony, and he’s the only one to win these awards and an AFI.”
As president, or ‘prez’ as he called himself, Rush announced the name of the new academy, the Australia Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta), which he suggested sounded like a Sydney drag queen.
Addressing the launch, Rush said, “I am honoured to represent our industry as president of the newly-formed Australian Academy. Over half a century ago the AFI was founded and since that time our film and television industries have developed beyond our wildest imaginings.
- 8/18/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Cinematographer and owner of Lemac Film and Digital John Bowring Acs passed away in Hong Kong, enroute from Nab in Las Vegas.
“John was a working cinematographer and owner of Lemac with his wife Sue. He was a truly generous supporter of the Australian Cinematographer Society and the whole Australian film and television industry. If a job needed doing, Jb would see it was done. If a problem needed solving, Jb solved it. If someone needed helping, Jb would help,” said the national president of the Acs, Ron Johanson.
Johanson announced that the 2011 Acs National Awards will be dedicated to the memory of Bowring, “as a mark of respect for his contribution to the field of cinematography”.
“John will be missed by all those he touched with his wisdom, his intellect, his single mindedness and his generosity of spirit. He has left a gap that will take some time to fill,...
“John was a working cinematographer and owner of Lemac with his wife Sue. He was a truly generous supporter of the Australian Cinematographer Society and the whole Australian film and television industry. If a job needed doing, Jb would see it was done. If a problem needed solving, Jb solved it. If someone needed helping, Jb would help,” said the national president of the Acs, Ron Johanson.
Johanson announced that the 2011 Acs National Awards will be dedicated to the memory of Bowring, “as a mark of respect for his contribution to the field of cinematography”.
“John will be missed by all those he touched with his wisdom, his intellect, his single mindedness and his generosity of spirit. He has left a gap that will take some time to fill,...
- 4/18/2011
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
The Australian screen industry is full of talented and successful women, but this doesn’t mean gender imbalance is a thing of the past. Georgina Pearson writes.
Gender equality is an age-old debate; one that’s been analysed and pulled apart countless times before. Yet as women in the Australian screen industry continue to deliver on a global stage we must dispute its relevance – is there a significant gender imbalance within the industry, or has this argument become a moot point, questioned merely as a matter of principle?
When the list of films eligible for the Australian Film Institute Awards was announced last year, AFI CEO Damian Trewhella pointed out that eight out of the 19 titles were directed by women, arguing that “in an international industry where women are still significantly under-represented, Australia is heading in the right direction.”
And the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (Astra) followed closely...
Gender equality is an age-old debate; one that’s been analysed and pulled apart countless times before. Yet as women in the Australian screen industry continue to deliver on a global stage we must dispute its relevance – is there a significant gender imbalance within the industry, or has this argument become a moot point, questioned merely as a matter of principle?
When the list of films eligible for the Australian Film Institute Awards was announced last year, AFI CEO Damian Trewhella pointed out that eight out of the 19 titles were directed by women, arguing that “in an international industry where women are still significantly under-represented, Australia is heading in the right direction.”
And the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (Astra) followed closely...
- 3/23/2011
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
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