American Cinematographer - March 2012 - 8

Editor’s Note
The high quality of television programming has been a hot topic in recent years. Critically acclaimed series like The Sopranos, The Wire and Battlestar Galactica helped raise the bar for the current crop of shows, the best of which boast a variety of virtues, including top-shelf cinematography and writing. Suffice to say that more and more TV series are being considered for coverage during AC’s editorial meetings. We mulled over a range of titles for this month’s special focus on teleproduction, eventually assigning writers to cover three that have drawn rave reviews and devoted audiences: Downton Abbey, a British period drama whose recently broadcast second season was shot by Gavin Struthers, David Marsh and Nigel Willoughby, BSC; The Walking Dead, an apocalyptic zombie thriller shot by David Boyd, ASC and Rohn Schmidt; and Homeland, a psychological thriller that benefits from fine lighting and camerawork by Nelson Cragg III and Christopher Manley, ASC. Our detailed reports (“Varied Visions,” page 30) were penned by Mark Hope-Jones, Iain Stasukevich and Pat Thomson, respectively. Television experience proved a boon for cinematographer Matthew Jensen, whose credits include the HBO series True Blood and Game of Thrones. Thanks in part to his work on those shows, he was offered Chronicle, his first feature. Designed as a “found footage” drama, the movie put Jensen’s small-screen savvy to good use. “They were looking for [a cinematographer] who had experience with visual effects, stunts and high-end television, and who was used to working with a modest budget,” Jensen tells Jay Holben (“Power Trip,” page 42). At last month’s ASC Awards ceremony, the Society saluted two other cinematographers who have honed their skills on television: William Wages, ASC received the Career Achievement in Television Award, and Francis Kenny, ASC was feted with the Presidents Award. Wages’ place of honor at the awards ceremony probably felt familiar — he has won two ASC Awards and earned six additional nominations for his work on telefilms. He has also contributed to a number of acclaimed series. “Episodic is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I came away with a whole new respect for people who do it,” he tells David Heuring (“Blazing Trails,” page 50). “Some of the most creative work is being done in that arena against all odds.” Kenny is currently the director of photography on the hit series Justified, but he has also shot documentaries and an eclectic array of features, including Heathers, New Jack City, Jason’s Lyric, Harriet the Spy and Scary Movie. The ASC Presidents Award honors both his contributions to filmmaking and his service to the Society. “Francis brings a spirit of collaboration and camaraderie to everything he does,” ASC President Michael Goi tells Jean Oppenheimer (“A Wholly ‘Justified’ Honor,” page 58). “This [award] reflects our deep appreciation for how his work represents our craft, and how his selfless contribution of time to ASC and industry issues moves [our organization] forward with clarity and purpose.”

Stephen Pizzello Executive Editor
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Photo by Owen Roizman, ASC.

American Cinematographer - March 2012

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