American Cinematographer - May 2020 - 8

CONTRIBUTORS
Jay Holben is a filmmaker
and an associate member of
the ASC (Shot Craft, p. 12).

Debra Kaufman is a freelance writer ("Framing the
Future," p. 48).

Stephen Pizzello is the
editor-in-chief and publisher
("Flashback to the '60s,"
p. 50).
Patricia Thomson is a
New York correspondent
for the magazine ("Stars
Align," p. 40).

Peter Tonguette is a
freelance writer ("One on
One," p. 28).

David E. Williams is the
web director and associate
publisher ("The
Importance of
Inspiration," p. 18).
Kaity Williams is a
cinematographer
(Filmmakers' Forum, p. 56).

Valentina Valentini is a
freelance entertainment and
travel writer ("Picture
Perfect," p. 44).

EDITOR'S NOTE

As this issue went to press, the ASC and the rest of the
entertainment industry had already shut down - along
with most of the world - amid the global coronavirus
pandemic. American Cinematographer's staff worked
remotely to bring this month's magazine to completion,
undoubtedly the first time that drastic measure has been
necessary in the publication's 100-year history.
With "social distancing" rules firmly in place, it's
been inspiring to see our staff persist in their duties to
produce another fine issue - despite movie-release
postponement, theater closures, the international
suspension of production, and the shuttering of studios
and nearly all other industry entities. We pledge to forge
ahead in this difficult environment, adjusting our editorial content as necessary, in the sincere hope that life will
return to normal in the very near future.
Hopefully, this issue will provide inspiration with its special theme of mentorship and
inclusion. As the entertainment industry evolves and broadens its horizons, AC will keep
pace with articles that reflect the kind of diversity and support that will help filmmakers
from all backgrounds and circumstances pursue their passions.
Our cover article presents an overview of ASC member Bradford Young's path to
success, along with his recollections of the mentors who helped him along the way. His
comments, presented in a piece by associate publisher and web director David E. Williams
("The Importance of Inspiration," page 18) were drawn from an extensive interview that will
eventually appear online as the first installment in a series of ASC Online Master Classes.
Details about the ASC's Mentorship Program can be found in a piece by Peter
Tonguette ("One on One," page 28), who interviewed ASC members Mark Irwin, Charlie
Lieberman, Rachel Morrison and John Simmons - along with the young cinematographers
they've been mentoring, and Mentorship Subcommittee co-chairs Todd A. Dos Reis, ASC
and Patti Lee, ASC - on the importance of sharing advice and guidance with the next generation.
Patricia Thomson provides further encouragement by catching up with a trio of thriving women cinematographers who were previously selected by the magazine as Rising Stars
of Cinematography: Carmen Cabana, Kira Kelly and Anka Malatynska ("Stars Align," page
40). All three share their thoughts on inclusion as they discuss their new projects.
A fourth star on the ascent, Katelin Arizmendi, offers an analysis of her creative
strategies on the compelling indie drama Swallow in a Q&A conducted by London-based
contributor Valentina Valentini ("Picture Perfect," page 44).
This issue also presents a recap of a recent all-day ASC Vision Committee event
hosted by Panavision ("Framing the Future," page 48) as well as a pictorial review of this
year's ASC Awards and related celebrations ("Close Encounters," page 34).
Finally, your humble narrator followed his own bliss by reviewing how the magazine
covered one of my favorite eras of filmmaking and cinematography: the 1960s ("Flashback
to the '60s," page 50). Iconic ASC members helped to define a decade marked by experimentation, stylistic innovation and new forms of storytelling, and the excerpts I found in
AC's archive will hopefully encourage you to revisit some of that era's most memorable and
groundbreaking work.
Stephen Pizzello
Editor-in-Chief and Publisher

Photo by Chris Pizzello.

THIS MONTH'S

American Cinematographer - May 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Cinematographer - May 2020