FROM THE PRESIDENT George A. Willis csc, sasc
The Shawshank Redemption, A Beautiful Mind, No Country for Old Men, Sicario, Fargo, The Reader, 1984, Skyfall, Blade Runner 2049, 1917. The question is what do all of these movies have in common? Well, if you’re a cinematographer, that answer will be a no-brainer, and rightly so because these wonderful movies were all done by one man, the incredibly talented Roger Deakins BSC, ASC. To single out any one of these cinematic masterpieces would be impossible because each has its own unique look. That is in part what makes this cinematographer so inspiring, for inspiration is what we as cinematographers like to hang our hats on. I was fortunate to be a juror on the IMAGO Awards at the beginning of 2020, and one of the entries on my list was 1917. I have seen this film many times, but nothing will take the place of my first visual encounter as the story unfolds via the incredible tracking shot near the beginning of the film. But this is not about the film per se, it’s more about acknowledging this major talent in the world of filmmaking. So much so that a knighthood was recently conferred on this cinematographer whom we now refer to as Sir Roger Deakins bsc, asc, cbe. Another most noteworthy name, especially important to Canada and to the Canadian Society of Cinematographers is Roy Tash csc. Tash was born in Brooklyn in 1898 and began his career shooting news footage in Chicago in 1915 before moving to Toronto. He photographed anyone who 4 • Canadian Cinematographer - March 2021
was of any importance, from Lester B. Pearson to Sir Winston Churchill and everyone in between. Even as I write this column, I look down upon Billy Bishop Airport from my condo – Tash also photographed WWI flying ace Air Marshall Billy Bishop, whose framed photograph (with Tash) hangs in the CSC Clubhouse. Recently, we embarked on a project to photograph and display Tash’s work, which we now refer to as the “Roy Tash Wall”. You can see his and other historical photos from our legacy collection by visiting the CSC website. Around 2006, an initiative of the CSC Museum was created with the intention of housing historical filmmaking equipment and accessories used in the film industry. We asked for donations to begin housing any relevant items of film equipment that was or is a part of our industry, and we are extremely pleased that our requests have resulted in many wonderful pieces. Last year, Tash’s grandson Larry Barrett contacted the CSC and kindly offered to donate a treasured piece of equipment – a portable 16 mm projector that had been the pride and joy of his grandfather. Now safely inside the CSC Clubhouse since January, the Roy Tash projector will at the first opportunity be placed on display along with several other iconic cameras and gear generously donated by our friends, colleagues and our valued Sponsors. It is hoped that at a time in the future the CSC will have its own building, which we have already named CSC-HQ in anticipation of being able to display and admire our film heritage.
