ASC AWARDS GREIG FRASER IN SURPRISE RESULT

It was all going La La Land's way this awards season en route to Oscar glory, until the American Society of Cinematographers rang in. Long-underappreciated DP Greig Fraser wins the ASC's top award for Lion in a remarkable coup - many thought he wouldn't even be nominated - as Garth Davis' debut feature film continues to pick up goodwill with awards voters and audiences alike. Don't expect him to surprise at Oscar - that's probably still La La Land's - but this is a pleasant victory for Fraser and his film nonetheless. And an excellent choice in the Spotlight category too. Check out the ASC's nominations at this link.

Theatrical Award
Greig Fraser (Lion)

Spotlight Award
Gorka Gomez Andreu (House of Others)

Vilmos Zsigmond Graduate Heritage Award
Andrew Jeric (Prisoner)

Vilmos Zsigmond Undergraduate Heritage Award
Emmett Sutherland (Closer)

Haskell Wexler Student Documentary Award
Colin F. Shepherd (Into the Microscope)

Board of Governors Award
Denzel Washington

Presidents Award
Nancy Schreiber

International Award
Philippe Rousselot

Lifetime Achievement Award
Edward Lachman

ASC NOMINEES - THE SILENCE IS BROKEN!

To celebrate Silence's richly-deserved nomination from the American Society of Cinematographers, I post a picture of Lion. Very happy to note the former film making the cut here, and the same for James Laxton's lovely work on Moonlight. But I figure that both he and Greig Fraser will make way for Hail, Caesar! and Live by Night at this point when Oscar nominations are announced. Good to see the Spotlight Award now expanded to four nominees. The 4th of February is the official date for the 31st annual ASC Outstanding Achievement awards.

2016 ASC Award Theatrical Nominees

Greig Fraser (Lion)

James Laxton (Moonlight)

Rodrigo Prieto (Silence)

Linus Sandgren (La La Land)

Bradford Young (Arrival)

2016 ASC Spotlight Award Nominees

Lol Crawley (The Childhood of a Leader)

Gorka Gomez Andreu (House of Others)

Ernesto Pardo (Tempestad)

Juliette van Dormael (My Angel)

EMMANUEL LUBEZKI WINS THIRD CONSECUTIVE ASC AWARD

The American Society of Cinematographers has voted to give Emmanuel Lubezki his fifth award and his third in three years, for The Revenant. That's a decision that should surprise few, as he continues his sweep of the Cinematography awards this season, and as The Revenant picks up ever more Best Picture buzz. Check out the ASC's nominations here, and their award winners below:

Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography

Emmanuel Lubezki (The Revenant)

Spotlight Award

Adam Arkapaw (Macbeth)

Erdely Matyas (Son of Saul)

Lifetime Achievement Award

John Toll

Bud Stone Award of Distinction

Grover Crisp

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS 2015 AWARD NOMINATIONS!

Last year's American Society of Cinematographers nominations missed the Academy's five by just one - they chose Best Picture contender The Imitation Game over the greater cinematographic achievement, Ida. I suspect that this year's nominees, listed below, will follow the same pattern: Bridge of Spies, the Best Picture contender, will make way for The Hateful Eight, the more notable cinematographic achievement. Otherwise, expect a pretty close match. These nominations will be resolved with the ASC's awards on the 14th of February.

Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography

Roger Deakins (Sicario)

Janusz Kaminski (Bridge of Spies)

Edward Lachman (Carol)

Emmanuel Lubezki (The Revenant)

John Seale (Mad Max: Fury Road)

Spotlight Award
Adam Arkapaw (Macbeth)
Erdely Matyas (Son of Saul)
Cary Fukunaga (Beasts of No Nation)