American Society of Cinematographers Nominations

I’m so  disappointed and quite miffed to see  that Greig Fraser’s exquisite work on BRIGHT STAR is missing from the list.  Truly, his lush cinematography was the best of 2009.

Earlier today, the finalists in the feature film category of the 24th Annual American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Outstanding Achievement Awards competition were announced:

• THE HURT LOCKER: Barry Ackroyd, BSC
• NINE: Dion Beebe, ASC, ACS
• THE WHITE RIBBON: Christian Berger, AAC
• AVATAR: Mauro Fiore, ASC
• INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS: Robert Richardson, ASC  

“It is a daunting challenge for our members to narrow a very competitive field down to five films that represent the most artful cinematography we have seen during the past year,” says ASC President Michael Goi. “We believe these very different films have set the contemporary standard for compelling visual storytelling.”

Beebe previously won the ASC Award for Memoirs of a Geisha in 2006, and earned another nomination for Collateral. This is the ninth nomination for Richardson (Born on the Fourth of July, JFK, A Few Good Men, Heaven & Earth, The Horse Whisperer, Snow Falling on Cedars, The Aviator, The Good Shepherd).

All films eligible for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Oscar competition were candidates for the ASC Outstanding Achievement Award. Last year’s ASC winner in the feature category — Anthony Dod Mantle, BSC, DFF for Slumdog Millionaire — went on to take home the Academy Award.

Goi notes that art and craft of cinematography is a global language. Fiore was born in Italy, Berger is Austrian, Ackroyd is British, Beebe was born in Australia, and Richardson is a native of the United States.

“Our members conceived this annual competition to let our peers know that their colleagues believe they have set the contemporary standard for artful cinematography,” says ASC Awards Committee Chairman Richard Crudo. “It requires mastering a complex craft which enables them to help create a sense of time and place while evoking emotions that augment the intentions of everyone involved in the collaborative process.”

He adds, “We hope that this celebration also inspires a broad appreciation of the art of cinematography, and inspires the next generation to reach for the stars.”

The winner will be announced during the ASC Awards celebration here at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel on February 27. On a sidenote, cinematographer Caleb Deschanel (THE RIGHT STUFF, THE PATRIOT, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST), will receive the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Lifetime Achievement Award.