ASC Shines Spotlight on Student Moviemakers

by Bob Fisher | Published December 13, 2007

With a nod to the future of moviemaking, the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has chosen Andrew M. Davis of Chapman University and Sean Stiegemeier of the American Film Institute (AFI) as recipients of the Laszlo Kovacs Heritage Award for Outstanding Cinematography.

Davis earned his bachelor’s degree from Chapman’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts in May. He submitted the short film, The Line, which he shot for fellow Chapman colleague/director Kent Bassett. The film focuses on two sets of fathers and sons whose characters attempt to rebuild their relationships under new circumstances. It has screened at the Palm Springs, Arpa and Whistler International Film Festivals.

Stiegemeier graduated this month with a master’s in Cinematography. He submitted his AFI thesis film, The Butcher’s Daughter. It follows a young farm girl living with her aging father on the secluded plains of the Midwest during The Great Depression. Their lives are forever changed when rumrunners show up on their doorstep making demands and secrets are revealed.

ASC jury members also chose five students for honorable mentions. They are Stephanie Dufford of Columbia College Chicago, Emil Esenhardt of the University of Southern California (USC), Jeremy Grant of the North Carolina School of the Arts, Ali Moghadas of AFI, and Charlene Wang also of USC.

“This award is designed to encourage talented student filmmakers pursuing careers in cinematography,” says Isidore Mankofsky, ASC, chairman of the organization’s Education Committee. “These students have demonstrated an ability to use artful cinematography in a collaborative environment.”

Each year, the award is re-dedicated to the memory of a different cinematographer. Kovacs’ extensive body of work includes such classic films as Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, What’s Up, Doc?, The King of Marvin Gardens, Paper Moon, Frances and Mask. He died July 22, 2007.

The awards will be presented during the 22nd Annual ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards on January 26. Visit www.theasc.com for more info.

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