ASC Tabs Two Students For Heritage Award

LOS ANGELES---Nelson Cragg and Bill Fernandez will receive theConrad L. Hall Heritage Award from the American Society ofCinematographers (ASC). The award is presented annually to one or morepromising film school students or recent graduates. Cragg and Fernandezwill be feted during the 18th Annual ASC Outstanding Achievement Awardson Feb. 8 at the Century Plaza Hotel.

Cragg and Fernandez both earned master's degrees in film studiesfrom the University of Southern California (USC) and Florida StateUniversity (FSU), respectively. The ASC jury also singled out fourstudent filmmakers for letters of accommodation. They are AlfonsoAguilar, a graduate of the Los Angeles Film School; Brian Plow, who isenrolled in the graduate program at Ohio University School of Film; JiYong Kim and Jitsu Toyoda, who are both graduates of the American FilmInstitute (AFI).

"Our goal is to inspire talented young filmmakers to pursue careersas cinematographers by providing recognition as well as tangiblesupport," says Laszlo Kovacs, ASC, chairman of the ASC EducationCommittee. "We hope this recognition encourages them to believe inthemselves at a crucial time in their lives when they are entering acompetitive career field."

Kovacs says many talented students and recent graduates werenominated by their instructors. Several prominent members participatedin judging the entries, which included viewing short films. Kovacs saysthe judges were impressed by the originality and ability to tellstories visually.

Cragg is originally from Ohio. He studied English literature atJames Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and got interestedin cinematography after enrolling in graduate school at the USC Schoolof Cinema-Television. He graduated in May 2003.

"For me, nothing else comes close to the power of creating imagesthat tell a story," says Cragg. "I realized that I could combine mylove of literature with visual art in cinematography. I am honored thatthey have chosen me as one of the recipients of the Heritage Award, andglad that the ASC takes the time to help young cinematographers begintheir careers. I look forward to a life of simply looking at moments intime and finding ways to capture them."

Fernandez is a native of Rochester, New York. In fourth grade, hisclass took a field trip to the George Eastman House where he exploredstill and motion photographic history. Images from the Zoetropecaptured his imagination. After earning a bachelor's degree in businessfrom the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in Durham, he enrolled atFSU and graduated from the Conservatory of Motion Picture Arts inAugust 2003.

"During my senior year at UNH, I was given the opportunity to shoota commercial as part of an advertising course," recalls Fernandez."This assignment was my first endeavor into motion picture camera workand lighting-and I loved it. Winning the ASC Heritage Award is thegreatest honor I've ever received. I am very proud that the esteemedASC judges saw a glimpse of quality and potential in my work. Thisaward has motivated me to continue to refine my craft."

The ASC Heritage Award is dedicated annually to preserving thememory of a cinematographer who played an important role in the historyof the industry. Conrad L. Hall, ASC was a graduate of USC's filmschool. He earned Oscars for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,American Beauty and Road to Perdition, and other nominationsfor Morituri, The Professionals, In Cold Blood, Day of the Locust,Tequila Sunrise, Searching for Bobby Fischer and A CivilAction.

"Conrad Hall made a seminal impact on the art of filmmaking," saysKovacs. "He was a courageous filmmaker with an extraordinary passionfor the art form, and a great role model for every young person withunrealized dreams. It takes more than talent and skill to succeed inthis industry. It also requires extraordinary determination and asingle-minded sense of purpose."

Hall was born and raised in Papeete, Tahiti. His father was JamesNorman Hall, who co-authored "Mutiny on the Bounty" and other classicnovels. His parents sent him to USC with instructions to find a career.Serendipity led Hall into the film department and cinematography. Heserved a brief apprenticeship as an assistant cameraman and operator,earning his first narrative credits for the television series StoneyBurke and The Outer Limits. His first feature credit was for WildSeed in 1965. Hall received the ASC Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993.He died on January 4, 2003 in Los Angeles at the age of 76 years.

The ASC was founded in January 1919 by a handful of cinematographerswho were dedicated to advancing the art of narrative filmmaking. Thereare currently some 270 members from many countries around the world,and another 136 associates in allied fields.

The 18th Annual ASC Awards ceremonies will be preceded by an openhouse at the ASC clubhouse at 1782 N. Orange Dr. and an Internet chatwith the nominees and award winners on February 7.

For additional information, contact the ASC at 323-969-4333, orvisit the organization's website at www.theasc.com.