American Society of Cinematographers Awards
Annual awards from the ASC honoring outstanding cinematography in film and television, voted by the society's distinguished membership of directors of photography.
Overview
The American Society of Cinematographers Awards honor outstanding achievement in cinematography across film and television. The ASC is an invitation-only honorary society of directors of photography, and its membership reads as a roster of the most accomplished cinematographers in the history of the medium. ASC members vote on the awards, making the results a direct reflection of peer judgment within the cinematography community.
The ASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases is a strong predictor of the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. The overlap between ASC membership and the Academy's cinematographers branch means the two electorates share significant common ground.
Key Categories
- Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography -- Theatrical Release
- Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography -- Limited Series or Movie Made for Television
- Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography -- Episode of a Series for Non-Broadcast Media
- Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography -- Episode of a Series for Broadcast Media
- Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography -- Documentary
- Spotlight Award -- recognizing cinematography in independent or foreign-language features
- Board of Governors Award and Lifetime Achievement Award
History
The ASC was founded in 1919, making it one of the oldest professional organizations in the motion picture industry. The society began presenting awards in 1987, relatively late compared to other guilds, but the ASC's prestige within the industry gave the awards immediate credibility.
The ASC is not a union or guild in the labor sense. Membership is by invitation only, extended to directors of photography who have demonstrated outstanding ability and sustained contribution to the art of cinematography. The letters "ASC" after a cinematographer's name on a film credit represent one of the most respected designations in the craft.
The Spotlight Award, added to recognize work outside the mainstream studio system, reflects the ASC's acknowledgment that exceptional cinematography occurs across all budget levels and national cinemas.
Significance for Filmmakers
For directors of photography, an ASC Award nomination represents the highest peer recognition available in their specific craft. The society's selective membership means a nomination comes from an electorate that understands the technical and artistic challenges of the work at the deepest level.
For directors and producers, the ASC Awards serve as a benchmark for evaluating cinematographic talent. A DP with ASC recognition carries a credential that influences hiring decisions on studio and independent productions alike.
The ASC also publishes American Cinematographer magazine, hosts educational events, and maintains a clubhouse in Hollywood that serves as a gathering place for the cinematography community. The awards ceremony is part of this broader ecosystem of craft advancement.
See Also
For technical context on the cinematographic concepts that ASC members evaluate, see the Depth of Field Calculator and the Crop Factor Calculator. For understanding how visual choices affect production budgets, use the Storage and Footage Calculator.
