President’s Desk — April 2025

In the wake of the recent ASC Awards, held on February 23 at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, I find myself reflecting on the sense of community that is prevalent throughout our cinematography family. In fact, our art form was built on the very concept of joining together to collaborate, as cinematographers from our nation’s East Coast linked up with their counterparts from the West Coast to solve a technical issue that all had been experiencing: Static electricity generated by their hand-cranked cameras was causing spots on their film negatives.

The two groups shared in ways that went far beyond their thoughts on static discharge: They found a common passion that benefited the growth and evolution of their art form — cinematography — as it was being invented. This exchange became organized and eventually led to the formation of the ASC, and the resulting sense of cooperation became a major building block of our Society.

Through all of the economic, political and transformative shifts that have happened before today, the ASC has found ways to do what is right for our art form — and, like our forebears from the early days, we’ve become stronger for it. Our Society has adapted in order to identify each next step and encourage its evolution.

The challenging events of recent months and years — a global pandemic, work stoppages and natural disasters — have demonstrated the need to generate a steadfast positive energy that can help sustain our colleagues and crews. We have a collective duty to support and foster underrepresented talents and welcome them into our field, to embrace the next iterations of what cinematography will become, and to continue educating everyone who aspires to a career in our profession.

In addressing recent developments and initiatives from my desk, I’ve felt compelled to encourage the ASC to evolve. During a November meeting of cinematography societies and groups in Toruń, Poland, I was impressed by the voices urging the ASC and our sister societies to teach, by example, the importance of inclusion within our industry.

The use of digital technology as an educational tool has resulted in an impressive learning curve among talented young cinematographers, and their outstanding work has caught the attention of ASC members, who play an integral role in the Society’s sponsorship process — and in the resulting expansions of its roster. Speaking for myself, I’m excited to meet our new and vibrant members! I love seeing the ASC changing with the times, but in the words of our distinguished member Joan Churchill — who received the Society’s Lifetime Documentary Award last month — “there is room for more.”

I believe we are entering a promising era when veteran cinematographers can teach reverential young students while receiving — and acting upon — equally valuable lessons from those same enlightened aspirants. Being open to their ideas and suggestions is perhaps the ASC’s best path forward, and we welcome fresh ideas from our growing membership.

I look forward to the community we will build as their ambitions merge with our own to become the new and strong voice of the Society.

Best regards,
Shelly Johnson
ASC President

Much more about the ASC Vision Committee — which supports underrepresented filmmakers — can be found here.