American Cinematographer - December 2007 - (Page 138)

Clubhouse News Dr. Fraker, We Presume? by Suzanne Lezotte William Fraker, ASC, BSC was recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California. “I was completely surprised,” says Fraker. “It was one of the greatest honors of my lifetime, even as important as an Oscar nomination!” Fraker received the award during the university’s Epidemic Film Festival, an annual showcase for student films. Thirteen colleges comprise the Academy of Art University, and the film and television program has more than 1,200 students. Diane Baker, co-director Theatre in San Francisco. “Getting an honorary doctorate degree just blew me away,” says Fraker. “I’ve been up there several times to talk to classes, and they’ve asked me to come back to teach.” He notes that San Francisco has been lucky for him — he filmed Bullitt there. Fraker, who has been on the faculty at the University of Southern California for nine years, says his advice to students is as follows: “One, you have to have a passion. Two, have the dedication. It’s got to be the most important thing in your life. And three, you can never give up. We all have failures, but that shouldn’t stop us.” Zsigmond Guides Hungarian Master Class Sixteen filmmakers chosen for this year’s master class at Hungary’s University of Drama and Film were mentored by Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC and Elemér Ragályi. The two-week program, co-sponsored by Kodak and the Hungarian Society of Cinematographers, was conducted in September. The 16 students were chosen from almost 100 applicants by a jury of professors at the university. The class was sponsored by Panavision, the Centre International de Liaison des Ecoles de Cinéma et de Télévision, and the Media Programme of the European Union. Kuras Celebrates Women in Film Ellen Kuras, ASC recently participated in the panel discussion “Who Moved the Glass Ceiling? Things Will Never Be the Same,” the opening event for the New York Women in Film & Television 30th anniversary celebration. The panel was held at the Kimmel Center at New York University’s Rosenthal Pavilion. I Burum to Receive ASC Lifetime Award Stephen H. Burum, ASC will receive the Society’s 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor presented annually to an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the art form. The award will be presented at the 22nd Annual ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards celebration on Jan. 26 at the Hollywood and Highland Grand Ballroom in Los Angeles. In 1993, Burum won an ASC Award and earned an Academy Award nomination for Hoffa. He also earned ASC nominations for The Untouchables and The War of the Roses. His feature credits include The Escape Artist, The Outsiders, Rumble Fish, St. Elmo’s Fire, Body Double, The Bride, 8 Million Ways to Die, Casualties of War, Snake Eyes and Carlito’s Way. “Steve Burum was in the front ranks of a new generation of talented cinematographers who entered the industry during the 1970s,” says ASC President Daryn Okada. “His innovative cinematography has made a deep impression on a constantly evolving art form.” ASC Awards Committee Chairman Russ Alsobrook adds, “Steve has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues for his ability to tell stories with images that touch the soul.” of the Motion Pictures & Television/Acting Department at the university, suggested Fraker for the citation after inviting him to the school to address cinematography students. When Baker told him of the honor, Fraker responded in writing: “I would be absolutely delighted to accept your … honorary degree, which, I must say, is a little overwhelming! You know how I feel about students and their work, so it follows that I would be more than happy to participate in your film and acting program in any way I can.” The Epidemic Film Festival drew more than 1,600 students to the Castro 138 December 2007

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American Cinematographer - December 2007

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