LONDON — FilmLight recently launched a new event honoring colorists and the art of color worldwide. Winners of the ‘FilmLight Colour Awards’ (https://filmlight.awardcore.com) will be named at the EnergaCamerimage 2021 conference in Poland this November (13-20).
The judging and awards are being organized with the co-operation of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), International Federations of Cinematographers and CSI (Colorist Society International).
“For years I have believed that as cinematographers, we need to acknowledge that there is more to creating the best cinematography,” says Roberto Schaefer, ASC AIC-Imago. “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,” says 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 DoP wants and then execute the look is vital.”
Peter Doyle has formed long-term collaborations with DoPs 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, nonlinear 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 DoPs, directors and agencies, Omoshebi has contributed to acclaimed TV dramas and feature films in recent years, including Fortitude, Rellik, The Night Manager, The Witcher and The Terror.
“We conceived the idea of the Colour Awards because we wanted to emphasise the creative and collaborative role of the colourist in the whole industry, and this is boosted by the support we are receiving from the three leading professional bodies,” says Wolfgang Lempp, CEO of FilmLight. “I’m sure that having both colorists and cinematographers, artists and technologists on the judging panel will spark some lively debates. I look forward to seeing the results of their deliberations, and honoring the best work.”
While FilmLight is sponsoring and organizing the Colour Awards 2021, users of any grading technology are welcome to enter, as are colorists from the largest post facilities to home set-ups.