The P3 Update Magazine Blog

By Dyana Carmella

I’m surprised to see that after 19 years as the director of the Sundance Film Festival, Geoffrey Gilmore is throwing in the towel to work for Robert DeNiro and the Tribeca Film Festival. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, Gilmore is leaving Robert Redford’s organization to become the chief creative officer for Tribeca Enterprises. Tribeca co-founder Jane Rosenthal called Gilmore “one of the most accomplished creative forces in our industry,” adding that Gilmore’s experience will help Tribeca with its global strategy — including development of a Tribeca-sponsored film festival in Doha, Qatar.

Gilmore’s last day with Sundance will be on February 28, 2009.

I’m amazed at Gilmore’s successes at Sundance and wish him well with his new endeavors at Tribeca.

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By Jim Thompson

Isidore “Izzy” Mankofsky, ASC is not a tall man by any stretch of the imagination. But for a few moments last Sunday evening, he was the biggest man in Hollywood. He was invited to stand up on the stage of the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel ballroom to accept the ASC Presidents Award at the 23rd Annual American Society of Cinematographers Outstanding Achievement Awards Gala.

Mankofsky eagerly took the stage, graciously accepted the award from Director Larry Yust and thanked the many people who helped him along the way. He spoke over a room packed with people who came to honor him, including many of the world’s top cinematographers and Hollywood celebrities such as Director Christopher Nolan, Director/Producer/Actor Clint Eastwood and Director Paul Mazursky.

I was particularly gratified to see Izzy receive this award because he was instrumental in helping me launch my career in Hollywood. In fact, when I first trekked to Hollywood some 30 years ago, Izzy opened up those first doors and helped me kick-start my career.

Congratulations to Izzy and the many outstanding cinematographers who received awards at this prestigious event.

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 by James Thompson

Recently, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held their 81st Scientific and Technical Awards at the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly Hills. I was fortunate to share a table with several of the talented and creative people who worked alongside Steve Hylén.
Hylén received the Technical Achievement Award for his concept and continued leadership in the further development of the Hylén Lens System, which is used in motion-picture effects photography. When Steve went up to receive the award, I could feel the excitement of his colleagues and the pride they felt to work for this special man on this innovative device, which provides versatile aerial images. They talked about the unique qualities of the lens and how terrific it was to work with Steve Hylén for so many years.

Congratulations to Steve and to all the other winners of this year’s Scientific and Technical Awards.

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By Dyana Carmella

The 23rd Annual American Society of Cinematographers Outstanding Achievement Awards will he held on February 15, 2009 at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel.

I was thrilled to hear that Robert “Bobby” F. Liu, ASC (Lou Grant and Family Ties) and Isidore Mankofsky, ASC (The Muppet Movie, Somewhere in Time, The Jazz Singer and The Burning Bed) are both being recognized for their incredible achievements as cinematographers. Liu will receive the ASC Career Achievement in Television Award and Mankofsky will receive the ASC Presidents Award. Jack Green, ASC (Bird, Unforgiven, Bridges of Madison County, Twister, Girl, Interrupted and The 40-Year-Old Virgin) is this year’s recipient of the Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

I find it interesting that in 1982, Green turned down an offer from Clint Eastwood to move from camera operator to cinematographer because he felt he wasn’t ready.  According to the ASC website, Green stresses, “I’ll retire when they pry the light meter out of my cold dead hands!”

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