The winners of FilmLight’s new colorist awards will be announced at EnergaCamerImage 2021 November 13-20 in Torun, Poland. The judging and awards are being organized with the co-operation of the American Society of Cinematographers, the International Federations of Cinematographers and the Colorist Society International. Roberto Schaefer, ASC AIC-Imago, said, “For years I have believed that as cinematographers we need to acknowledge that there is more to creating the best cinematography. The finished product is the work of many talented and artistic individuals who should be recognized in a wide, cross-departmental way. I hope that this will be a beginning.”
FilmLight has started to unveil the panel of industry luminaries who will evaluate the nominees. Oscar and BAFTA-nominated cinematographer Danny Cohen brings a unique creative perspective. “How a cinematographer and a colorist work together on a film is key,” said Cohen. “There needs to be a sympathetic understanding of the project as so much hangs on the grading. For a colorist to be able to interpret what a director of photography wants and then execute the look is vital.”
Peter Doyle has formed long-term collaborations with DPs such as Bruno Delbonnel, Seamus McGarvey and Philippe Rousselot, and directors such as Tim Burton, Joe Wright, Guy Ritchie and Peter Jackson. From using custom software to color grade The Matrix in the ’90s, to commissioning the first of the DI grading packages for The Lord of the Rings in the early 2000s, Doyle now works with PostWorks NYC, contributing to the design of a new unified color ecosystem from rushes through to final deliverables.
Beatriz Pineda is senior director, non-linear distribution, and new technologies for HBO Latin America. She has helped companies such as HBO and Sony to optimize their media distribution pipelines, introducing innovative products in a highly demanding industry.
The Oscar and BAFTA-winning cinematographer for Slumdog Millionaire, Anthony Dod Mantle, is known for his collaboration with iconic directors such as Danny Boyle, Lars von Trier, Ron Howard, Oliver Stone, Thomas Vinterberg and Kevin MacDonald.
Nicola Daley is a world-renowned Australian cinematographer who has shot documentaries everywhere from Iraq to North Korea, and who now focuses on drama and commercials.
Joining the judging as well is multi award-winning senior colorist Jet Omoshebi from Goldcrest Post Production Facilities in London. Collaborating with highly regarded DPs, directors and agencies, Jet has contributed to acclaimed TV dramas and feature films in recent years, including Fortitude, Rellik, The Night Manager, The Witcher and The Terror.
The panel also includes Simon Astbury, managing director at Juice in Shanghai. Starting as a rushes colorist for classic films such as Notting Hill and Shakespeare in Love, he has worked with industry legends such as Jack Cardiff and Baz Luhrmann. Astbury said, “Colorists have long toiled in the gloom, bringing their unique brand of magic to film and TV screens in relative anonymity. I’m hugely looking forward to being a member of the jury for these awards, bringing colorists and their amazing work blinking into the daylight.”
Zak Tucker, co-founder and CEO and president of Harbor, also supports the awards program. “The individual skills, passion and talent of colorists contribute greatly to the stories we see on our screens today. At Harbor, our colorists are dedicated to finding that something extra to elevate the image to the sublime. For that reason, I’ll always support the recognition and celebration of their talent.”
Wolfgang Lempp, CEO of FilmLight said, “We conceived the idea of the Color Awards because we wanted to emphasize the creative and collaborative role of the colorist in the whole industry, and this is boosted by the support we are receiving from the three leading professional bodies.
“I’m sure that having both colorists and cinematographers, artists and technologists on the judging panel will spark some lively debates,” Lempp added. “I look forward to seeing the results of their deliberations, and honoring the best work.”
While FilmLight is sponsoring and organizing the Color Awards 2021, users of any grading technology are welcome to enter, as are colorists from the largest post facilities to home set-ups. The only criterion for success is that the technology should be used to create visually stimulating and satisfying imagery.
Colorists or their sponsors still have time to enter the awards at https://filmlight.awardcore.com. Nominations will close on September 15, with a shortlist announced in October and the winners revealed in November.
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