08 NEWS INTERVIEW
WELCOME BACK MR PRESIDENT Kees Van Oostrum has been re-elected as President of the American Society of Cinematographers. We asked him to reassert the mission statement QUESTIONS JULIAN MITCHELL
Def: What are the goals of the ASC? Is it mostly a preserver of a legacy or is there more to it? KVO: We certainly have a role of preserving a legacy. We will be 100 years old next year and are therefore effectively the oldest organisation of this kind in the world. In preserving the legacy, more than ever our educational and research activities are important. Soon you will be able to search 100 years of our magazine online. This will be the largest database of cinematography-related stories and information. We are expanding our heritage collection of cameras that are historically connected to specific cinematographers. We will also be expanding on digital content, documentaries, etc, all with the
Definition: Was does the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) stand for? Kees Van Oostrum: The ASC was founded in Hollywood in 1919 with the sole purpose of advancing the art and science of cinematography, and bringing cinematographers together to exchange ideas, discuss techniques and promote the motion picture as an art form – a mission that continues today. Our society’s motto is ‘Loyalty. Progress. Artistry’. We pursue those tenets through educational activities, such as the ASC Master Class and International Master Class programs, which have now had more than 1,200 participants since their launch. Our Educational and Outreach Committee brings in hundreds of students every
year to meet with ASC members, network and ask questions. And our popular ‘Coffee & Conversations’ offer anyone interested in filmmaking a chance to hear a cinematographer discuss his or her creative approach and decision-making process on a project. We are also very active internationally. Besides the biannual ASC International Cinematographers Summit, that brought together 40 associations from 40 countries this past June, we really delved into the artistic as well as the technological advancements in cinematography. Production is more global than ever and thought sharing with cinematographers all over the world supports our motto of advancing the art of cinematography.
ABOVE DOP and ASC member Dean Cundey holds an ASC Master Class. ABOVE RIGHT The ASC Clubhouse circa 1915.
DEFINITION AUGUST 2018
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