The International Cinematography Summit Conference 2011
An important corner stone to the foundation of NZCS is the interaction between our members and Cinematographers worldwide. So when the committee got a message from Michael Goi, ASC (The President of the American Society of Cinematographers) that he was personally keen to see New Zealand represented at the International Cinematography Summit Conference we took notice.
This conference was the first ever to call in representation from every cinematographer’s Society on the globe and the topics to be covered were of interest to cinematographers in all fields of production. It was going to be a mammoth undertaking by the ASC to bring together and give a voice to all the representatives over a 4 day period starting on the 2nd of May. Maybe it’s best that at the top of the agenda is the question:
“HOW CAN THE SOCIETIES INCREASE OUR COMMUNICATION ON A REGULAR BASIS?”.
NZCS Member Simon Riera
NZCS committee member Simon Riera was chosen to represent us at this conference and had been given the task of bringing back to the membership as much information and feedback as he can on all the topics covered.
Along with all the other countries attending New Zealand has been asked to supply a reel of Kiwi cinematographers work to be screened at the opening night reception. NZCS committee member Donny Duncan undertook the compilation of the reel with the extraordinary support of Images & Sound. This task proved to be a major undertaking in tracking down and assembling the material and I would like to thank Donny for the many hours he put into this for the ultimate benefit of the wider membership.
So we wish Simon all the best for his time at the ASC Clubhouse and look forward to hearing on his return how New Zealand Cinematographers can gain from closer links with other societies worldwide.
Kevin RileyNZCS Chairperson
ICSC 2011 Agenda
Monday, May 2nd
8:30 a.m. Introductions/ Breakfast at Clubhouse
9:30 a.m. Open Discussion – HOW CAN THE SOCIETIES INCREASE OUR COMMUNICATION ON A REGULAR BASIS? This conference is the start, but we should consider ways that we may communicate on a regular basis about the issues that affect our craft, perhaps by electronic means.
10:30 a.m. Open Discussion – THE NEXT GENERATION OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS. What is our role in educating those who will follow us? How can we interact with our studios, governments and ministries of culture to have a voice in what the next generation of cinematographers learn about our craft?
12:00 p.m. Lunch at Clubhouse
1:00 p.m. Vans leave for Sony
2:00 p.m. 3D AND THE CINEMATOGRAPHER – How does 3D affect our ability to tell a story visually through lighting and composition? This discussion will be preceeded by a demonstration of current 3D filming techniques at Sony Studios.
3:30 p.m. 4K AND BEYOND – We all know the qualities that film possesses in terms of resolution. What will the next generation of digital production cameras offer the cinematographer, and can the industry as a whole support higher resolution digital workflows?
5:00 p.m. Vans leave for ASC
6:00 p.m. OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION AND DINNER – The montage reels sent in by the societies will be screened tonight to contribute to the atmosphere of appreciation for our craft and enhance our interaction with our fellow cinematographers. ASC Members and sponsors of this conference are invited to this evening.
Tuesday, May 3rd
8:30 a.m. Breakfast at Clubhouse
9:30 a.m. Vans travel to Universal Studios
10:00 a.m. VIRTUAL PRODUCTION AND VIRTUAL CINEMATOGRAPHY – using the virtual production facilities at Universal Studios, a demonstration of current techniques with an overview of how the technology evolved will be presented as a precursor to our discussion this afternoon. Included will be a perspective on how the technology can be used on modestly budgeted productions.
12:00 p.m. Vans leave for Clubhouse
12:30 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m. PREVISUALIZATION AND THE CINEMATOGRAPHER – the Previsualization Society will present case studies of how the previs process works, and the need for the cinematographer to be present during the process.
3:30 p.m. Open Discussion – THE ROLE OF THE CINEMATOGRAPHER IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES. Having just witnessed the technologies that affect our craft, we will engage in a discussion about how we can position ourselves to actively participate on, and be consulted during, productions that feature large amounts of computer generated imagery. Pending availability, we will ask cinematographers who have participated on virtual production or animated films to contribute their perspective on this topic.
6:30 p.m. Dinner at Clubhouse and Open Discussion – WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF THE IMAGE? Is the concept that the cinematographer is the author of the image still valid or recognized by the industry given the highly collaborative nature of the industry today? How do we protect our contributions to a project in the face of massive digital post production contributions?
Wednesday, May 4th
8:30 a.m. Breakfast at Clubhouse
9:30 a.m. Vans leave for Academy Pickford Center
10:00 a.m. THE CURRENT STATE OF SOLID STATE LIGHTING – as the desire for low-heat, lower power consumption light sources escalates, the issues surrounding solid state lighting (LED’s) in terms of color inconsistency affects the quality of our work. Where is this trend going and what can we do to have better tools? This discussion will be preceded by a screening of a test of solid state and tungsten lighting sources, and the distribution of information accumulated by the Academy.
12:00 p.m. Lunch at Academy
1:00 p.m. DIGITAL WORKFLOW – proprietary workflows are a reality in the industry, but many are only effective when coupled with a specific camera system. This limits the ability of cinematographers and producers to choose the best tools for a particular job. Our discussion on this topic will be preceded by a presentation by The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences’ Science and Technology Council on the new IIF-ACES workflow, which is designed to maximize the qualities of all image capture devices straight through to color correction. Andy Maltz and Ray Feeney of AMPAS will contribute to this discussion.
3:00 p.m. FILM AND DIGITAL ARCHIVAL AND PRESERVATION – what is the future of film as an archival medium, and when will an effective digital archival system exist? John Bailey, ASC and Garrett Smith of the ASC Film And Digital Archival Committee, Milt Shefter from AMPAS and Grover Crisp from Sony will contribute to this discussion.
5:30 p.m. Vans leave for Clubhouse
6:30 p.m. Dinner at Clubhouse and Open Discussion – HOW CAN WE PROMOTE THE VALUE OF OUR ARTISTRY IN AN INCREASINGLY INDIFFERENT WORLD? As cinematographers continue to get locked out of color timing and individual artistry is sacrificed in favor of generic imagery, how can we convey the timeless importance of our vision?
Thursday, May 5th
8:30 a.m. Breakfast at Clubhouse
9:30 a.m. REGIONAL SOCIETY MEETINGS – In response to your requests, we have set this time aside for the societies in various regions to meet about issues that affect their particular areas.
12:00 pm. Lunch at Clubhouse
1:15 p.m. DOCUMENTARY INTERVIEWS AND TOURS OF VENDORS – sponsors of this conference and attendees have been asking for time to visit various vendors while they are in town. The ASC is arranging for transportation to a few of these sites. If there is a particular place you have an interest in, please let us know. For those of you who are not interested in doing a vendor tour, Haskell Wexler, ASC and Marijke Van Kets, SBC would like to interview attendees for their views. We are setting aside this time for you to participate.
6:30 p.m. CLOSING NIGHT RECEPTION – open to all Society members who are in town, and to vendors and sponsors.
It would not have been possible for NZCS to send a representative to attend this summit without the support of a few dedicated members and supporters. NZCS gratefully acknowledges the huge contribution from Images and Sound in facilitating the edit and transfer of all source material for the NZCS reel. Images and Sound crew including Jane Anderson and Grant Baker have been extremely supportive in pulling the necessary people and suite time together.
NZCS committee member Donny Duncan has given many hours of his time to researching the footage and gaining the necessary clearances as well as overseeing the edit together with the Alastair Tye Samson (Images & Sound editor). Lastly the Committee wishes to thank Simon Riera who as our representative will report back to the membership on all matters on the very full agenda.
As a follow up:
Here are some images from the summit.
ICSC 2011 STATEMENT
In a historic first for the motion picture & television industry, cinematographers from around the world gathered for the 2011 International Cinematography Summit Conference (ICSC), an event organized by the American Society of Cinematographers.
The purpose was to discuss important issues of common concern and to reaffirm the significant role of the cinematographer in the creation of moving images. Among the subjects addressed were new and evolving technologies, the education of future cinematographers, and the fostering of communications between the world’s cinematography societies.
A consensus was reached to secure the cinematographers’ status as key collaborators within the global film industry.
The societies assert that cinematographers are co-authors of the works they shoot, and thus entitled to maintain and control the integrity of the image — not only during production, but throughout the entire creative process, from pre production through post and final release in all forms.
The societies issued a collective statement of purpose, declaring;
“Cinematographers must continue the development of our craft as an art form, and at all levels, promote the highest standards of visual storytelling within the creative community.”
Our vision is to foster and encourage dialogue between all Societies, Governments, Ministers of Culture, Manufacturers, Producers and Directors to further nurture and protect the visual integrity of the final product.
We, as cinematographers are the custodians of the image. This is our heritage and our responsibility”.
