Annual General Meeting

Front row seated Left to Right Arthur Cooper csc, Philip Earnshaw csc, Micha Dahan, Dylan Macleod csc, Rion Gonzales, Ron Stannett csc, George Hosek csc Back row standing Left to Right Ernie Kestler, Andrew Forbes, Carolyn Wong, Rod Crombie, Joseph Sunday phd, John Berrie csc, Alwyn Kumst csc, Susan Saranchuk, Zoe Dirse csc, Joan Hutton csc, Stan Barua csc, Carlos Esteves csc, Antonin Lhotsky csc, Guido Kondruss, Sarah Moffat, Bert Dunk csc, asc, John Tarver csc, Mitch Ness csc, Michael Jari Davidson

Annual General Reports 2012

nt ’s Report

Following our call for nominations this past year for elected positions on our Board of Directors with Office, none were received and the current executive has agreed to serve for another year. Meeting the demands of being a part of the CSC executive requires a good deal of time and effort. I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to all the members of the Board of Directors for their continuing dedication and hard work. Our auditors for this year are Bob Bocking csc and John Hodgson.

There were a couple of notable changes on the CSC Board of Directors in 2012. Longtime CSC member Nikos Evdemon csc decided to take life a bit easier and resigned as our publicity cochair. Nikos was a highly valued member of our executive having brought the CSC into the digital age by designing, building and for years maintaining the Society’s web site. Nikos is a Fuji award recipient for his efforts and dedication to the CSC. The Executive was sorry to see him go, and I for one will miss his advice, guidance and hard work.

Our other publicity co-chair, Sarah Moffat, also stepped down from the executive to focus more directly on her career goals. While she may no longer be a sitting board member, Sarah remains very active in our Society and is currently working with our co-vice presidents Ron Stannett csc and Carolyn Wong on an upcoming CSC lecture series.

Filling the vacancy as our new publicity chair is Carlos Esteves csc. Carlos has been very active on our board for the past year as a Director Ex-officio and has been a member of the CSC for 25 years. An accomplished award-winning cinematographer, Carlos has been a welcome addition to the CSC executive.

Also joining the CSC executive as a Director Ex-officio is Vic Sarin csc. A cinematographer, a director and a producer, Vic has been a dynamic force in our film and television industry for decades. Based in Vancouver, Vic participates in our executive meeting via Skype. Besides his invaluable experience and perspectives, Vic brings an important West Coast view and representation to our meetings.

In keeping with our national mandate, we are still hoping to garner candidates for our executive board from Quebec and the east coast. We encourage any member from those areas or any other area in Canada to apply.

As for our magazine, we have brought onboard technical journalist Ian Harvey to write for our magazine’s Tech Column. While Ian will be the column’s main writer, we have left the door open for contributions from our membership. This is in accordance with Canadian Cinematographers distinctive trade mark and philosophy: to publish articles by CSC members whenever possible. In doing so, our readers gain exclusive insights and first-hand knowledge about our profession and industry that is not found anywhere else.

For the 55th CSC Awards Gala at the Westin Harbour Castle, we drew from our own membership ranks to fill in the hosting and presenting duties, which was well received and a terrific success. It was also the first time that our awards gala was streamed live on the Internet, a practice that we hope to continue. All the jury screenings were held in our clubhouse at William F. White, with exception of the features which were judged at S.I.R.T. facilities.

CSC members continue to be recognized in Canada and around the world as top echelon cinematographers. For example, at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, 18 films shot by 17 of our members were screened. This includes the festival’s gala presentation of the feature film Inescapable, for which Luc Montpellier csc was the DOP. I would also like to mention Ronald Plante csc, the cinematographer on Monsieur Lazhar, which not only won several awards at the Genies, it also made the final nomination list for the 2012 Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

The CSC had a good year in 2012. Our finances are in the black, membership numbers are steady and our sponsor base has grown with REDLABdigital and The Source Shop joining our organization.

Doing well in our film and television industry last year seemed to vary dependent on location. Ontario with its aggressive tax incentives for producers had a banner production year reaching workflow levels not seen in a decade, with Quebec and its self contained film industry not far behind. However, it is a much different picture in British Columbia where production incentives by the provincial government have lagged behind other regions. The producers have stayed away from BC and the work has slowed to a trickle. Even worse is Saskatchewan, where the government withdrew all its tax incentives, effectively killing off their small but vibrant film and television industry. I have long been a believer that tax incentives and subsidies for our business are a necessity in Canada. They help us to compete regionally and above all internationally by enticing producers and their productions into Canada. Ontario is proof of that. The BC government is now saying that it has “a few irons in the fire” to stimulate their ailing film and television industry. Let’s hope they’re right and that 2013 brings more of a regional equilibrium to our industry.

I was the CSC’s representative last February at the IMAGO Annual General Assembly and 20 th anniversary in Paris, France. Originally established as a European federation of cinematographer societies, IMAGO has grown in scope, encompassing 47 societies representing 3,000 cinematographers worldwide. What is so intriguing about an international gathering of cinematographers such as IMAGO is that no matter where one lives, cinematographers share many of the same problems practicing their craft. IMAGO tackles and champions issues as diverse as image authorship rights for cinematographers to globally standardizing frame rates. The CSC has been a non-voting associate member of IMAGO since 2008. Many of their goals and initiatives closely align with our Society’s philosophies.

The CSC pub nights in Toronto and Montreal continue to be tremendous successes and I’m happy to announce that Vancouver has come on tap as well. I had the good fortune of being able to attend the Vancouver christening of CSC’s pub night which was attended by 25 industry colleagues and I can unabashedly say that they’re as good with the brews as we are in Toronto. These pub gatherings strike right to the heart of the CSC’s beginning. Our Society was originally founded to provide a social setting for cinematographers – who by nature of our profession are a solitary lot – to talk, exchange ideas or simply have laughs. CSC Pub nights are open to our entire industry, so one and all do come out.

The CSC continues to adapt to the changing demands of our industry and continues to be the organization of record for cinematography in Canada. We have remained relevant and we will continue to do so as our mandate to foster and promote the art of cinematography dictates. Joan Hutton csc President

Vice Preside nt ’s Report

There were 19 events attended by CSC members that were either at sponsor locations or supported by our sponsors. These events include: Sim Video Technology Open House; Canadian Cinema Editors, Q & A and Social Night; SIRT – Motion Control Workshop; Sharp’s Broadcast - Dedolight Workshop by Dedo Weigert, DOP; Clairmont Camera - Arri ALEXA STUDIO and lens demo; ZTV - HD Source Open House; Profusion – Trade Show and seminars by VISTEK; DOC Toronto Cinematography Day; Ryerson University School of Image Arts; Dog Days of Summer BBQ with Sony; Shane Hurlbut ASC presentation at TIFF; Revenge of the Great Cameral Shootout 2012 – SMPTE – SIRT; Codex Workflow Classes – PS Productions; Canon/Codex Digital Cinema Event; 3DFlic HFR Seminar; Technology Showcase – Sim Digital Vancouver; Hawk V-LITE Demo (with squeeze lenses) – Clairmont Camera; Sony F-Series Launch Event; William F. White Holiday Open House. There were also a total of seven pub nights in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

Ron Stannett csc, Vice President Carolyn Wong, Vice President

EDUCATION REPO RT

The first Digital Camera Assistants’ Course ran from February 25 through March 4,2012. The course was given at Bling, Clairmont Camera, Dazmo Digital, Panavision Canada, PS Production Services, RedLab Digital, Sim Digital, Technicolor and Vistek.

The instructors were: Daniel Abboud, Mike Dawson, Nicholas Fournier, Pete Janes, Ernie Kestler, Sarah Moffat, Doug Nelson, Mark Pierce, Ernest Spiteri, Paul Taylor and Michelle Veza,

The course participants were: Michael Baier, Alex Chavez, Devon Chytil, Tony Lau, Janek Lowe, Sam Perrin, Ivan Popov and Nathan Ta. A wrap party was held celebrating the successful completion of the course. On hand to congratulate the participants were: Carlos Esteves csc, Gregor Hagey csc, Joan Hutton csc, Alwyn Kumst csc and Peter Rowe csc. The course was a huge success.

The CSC held a Lighting Workshop at William F. White on September 29 and 30, 2012.

The instructors were Carlos Esteves csc, Joan Hutton csc and Ernie Kestler. The participants were: Spencer Birman, Craig Buckley, Christine Buijs, Jamie Daubney, Pouyan Fard, Jake Kovnat, Blair Laframboise, Josh Power, J. J. Robertson, Rob Roy, Louis Saturnino and Adam Vet. The participants were ecstatic with the end results.

The CSC Education Committee met four times in 2012 The committee is comprised of Dylan Macleod csc, Ernie Kestler, Joan Hutton csc, Carlos Esteves csc, John Holosko csc, and Susan Saranchuk. The committee designs and evaluates educational courses, workshops and activities for the CSC. It reports back to the CSC Executive. Planned for 2013 is an advanced Car Lighting Workshop, a Faces Lighting Workshop and the Digital Camera Assistants’ Course. There is a possibility of a Pedestal Camera Operators’ workshop.

All CSC members are welcome to attend our meetings and/or submit ideas for educational activities.

Dylan Macleod csc and Ernie Kestler CSC Education Co-chairs

Awards Report

The 2012 CSC Awards Night was held Saturday, March 31 in the Frontenac Ballroom at the Westin Harbour Castle Conference Centre in Toronto. The gala event was attended by 290 members, sponsors and friends. It was an intimate evening in that CSC Co-Vice President, Carolyn Wong hosted the event and CSC members presented the awards. At the same time it was made larger because it was streamed live on our web site with the help of Resolve Collaboration Services.

The decisions regarding the awards are made by the Awards Committee who are: Ronald Stannett csc, Chair; Robert Bocking csc; Albert Dunk csc, asc; George Hosek csc; John Hodgson; and Susan Saranchuk. There were 146 entries in 2012. The juries were held in Toronto at the CSC Clubhouse, Technicolor and the Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT). The juries were chaired by Robert Bocking csc and John Hodgson. Susan Saranchuk and Joan Hutton produced and edited the Awards Gala show tape with David Oliver at Soho Post and Graphics. In September 2012, I was appointed Public Relations Chair.

I would like to acknowledge the generous support during 2012 from our many friends in the industry, namely our sponsors. Their support only confirms the importance of the CSC and the efforts of all of its members.

During 2012, Michael Jari Davidson, Director Ex-Officio and Associate Member, embarked on the redesigning and creation of a complete new CSC web portal. Nikos Evdemon csc was responsible in the development and maintenance of our existing web site, and his tireless efforts have gone beyond everyone’s expectations. I want to extend our profound appreciation to a true friend of the society.

Also during 2012, Canadian Cinematographer was made available in PDF form on the CSC website. This valuable addition was made possible by the efforts of Joseph Sunday, PhD.

During the last quarter of 2012, initial conversations took place regarding the creation of a Club House event entitled the Innovation Series, which will be held once every three months showcasing new developments and innovations within the industry. The Innovation Series will bring together manufacturers and retailers with CSC members and professionals in an informal setting. We have initiated formal negotiations with interested manufacturers and retailers.

Propelling and elevating the CSC brand works in conjunction with all of the events and efforts of many within the Society. Canadian Cinematographer, the CSC web portal, the Awards Ceremony, the Education Committee’s lighting workshops, the Full Membership Committees and the numerous events attended by our members contributes to the brand, and this in turn creates a marketing value for the Society and its members.

The CSC’s history, its name, its logo, its members and activities are what encompasses the “CSC Brand.” Increasing the CSC brand awareness and the potential financial gains to the Society are two important areas that this chair will focus on in 2013. Carlos Esteves csc Public Relations Chair

CSC Web Pr oject Site Redesig Report n

In February of 2012, discussions began at the CSC Executive level regarding the possibility of revamping the existing CSC web site. In March 2012, I presented a proposal to design and develop a new CSC web site to reflect the organization’s desire to stay current, and that proposal was approved and endorsed by the CSC Executive. The new CSC web site is currently in the development stage and has gone through a series of presentations at Executive meetings to solicit desired features and revisions by members of the CSC Executive.

The most current phase of the project has been to migrate the existing CSC member database from the existing CSC website, which I have done successfully, and is this now under review by the CSC Executive. Once we have CSC Executive consensus on the finalized interface design and back-end coding of the new CSC site, content will begin to be added, including some exciting new features such as audio podcast interviews with directors of photography and video presentations. The plan is to launch the redesigned CSC website in 2013, and I am very proud to have been a part of this new chapter of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers. Michael Jari Davidson Director Ex-Officio

Treasurer ’s Report

During 2012, CSC members have all faced the challenges of a rapidly changing media landscape, adapting while maintaining the highest artistic and technical standards.

At the end of 2011, the CSC reported an accumulated surplus of $9,999.54, with a post-report adjustment of $220.00, yielding a final accumulated surplus of $10,219.54. This was the first positive position of the Society since 2005, and none of us want to experience the negative years in between again.

The current fiscal year ending 31 December 2012 did manage to generate another surplus, this time $12,569.83, which is modest for an organization with revenues over $280,000 and financial commitments over $200,000. Even though we do monitor the financial impact of each activity, this annual report recognizes that all endeavours are interlinked and important contributors, even those that might seem to receive a financial subsidy.

This year’s positive result was made possible by our great sponsors who recognize the significant value they obtain by addressing CSC members in their funded strategies. We are grateful for special invitations for CSC members from them to participate in relevant technology/process events, wherever a company does business across the country. Additionally, we are pleased to highlight sponsors in our publications, our educational events, our periodic meetings and our annual awards gala. Suggestions from staff have identified areas where we can offer extra value for advertisers in Canadian Cinematographer, and for contributors to the awards gala. Our financial wellbeing depends on this partnership with our sponsors, and we will ensure they receive great value.

Value for our members is also in constant discussion by the CSC executive and staff. Professional development is truly important as new processes are added to our options and doubly important when our members need to make, explain and support informed choices; this is a major focus of our education events, our periodic meetings, and our publication. Outreach initiatives have expanded on a national basis, and executive participation with other international cinematographic societies has enhanced the profile and reputation of CSC members globally. The high standards required by the membership committee for full membership status and by the juries for our annual awards benefit all members, preserving CSC prestige throughout our industry. For all this and more, the annual fees for members continue to be extremely low when compared with other similar organizations.

According to the existing CSC bylaws, your treasurer is also responsible for overseeing our bylaws. In today’s climate of organizational transparency, it is important that our rules for “governance” reflect current practices and policies. Consequently, there is a comprehensive revision to our bylaws presented for affirmation at this AGM, after extensive discussion/review by the executive and advisor Bob Bocking csc. Details of this revision have been sent via email to members, so that comments and proxy votes can be submitted prior to this meeting.

As treasurer, I am grateful for the large amount of time and expertise donated by the other executive and committee members; this society could not exist without this extensive volunteerism, under the able leadership of our President Joan Hutton csc. Since the CSC became a complex association with many programs and activities, we also rely on the incredible organization and commitment of our Executive Officer Susan Saranchuk and the team that she coordinates, and I extend her and them my heartfelt thanks and praise. My job as Treasurer has also been greatly simplified by the great accounting records maintained by Karen Longland.

Finally, there are some structural fee changes, as suggested by the executive board. I am convinced that the CSC will still remain the best value for any similar professional society.

Joseph Sunday, Treasurer

Membershi p Report

The membership committee met twice in 2012 to review submissions of those who wished to upgrade to full membership. We followed the standards laid out in our bylaws and regulations. Twenty-seven cinematographers applied and 33 per cent of them were granted full member status. Our nine new full members are: Jonathon Cliff csc; Mark Foerster csc; Karim Hussain csc; Samy Inayeh csc; Bob Mattigetz csc; Pasha Patriki csc; Nicholas de Pencier csc; Bobby Shore csc; and Brendan Uegama csc.

In 2012 our total membership numbers in all categories increased, taking us to our highest membership count since 2003. We now have 495 members spread out across the country in every province except Prince Edward Island, and in 16 countries other than Canada. We also have 32 loyal sponsors.

Thank you to those who volunteered their time to the membership committee last year: Stan Barua csc, Arthur Cooper csc, Bert Dunk csc, asc, George Hosek csc, Antonin Lhotsky csc, Jim Mercer csc, Alwyn Kumst csc, Stephen Reizes csc, Peter Rowe csc, Ron Stannett csc, John Tarver csc, Kit Whitmore csc. Any and all full members are welcome to sit on the membership committee to help choose our new full members. Philip Earnshaw csc and Gregor Hagey csc 2012 Membership co-Chairs