Congratulations to the 2012 Oscar nominees for Best Achievement in Cinematography.

David G. Smith

David G. Smith

Steak Knife Member
2012 Nominees for Best Achievement in Cinematography.

"Anna Karenina" Seamus McGarvey
"Django Unchained" Robert Richardson
"Life of Pi" Claudio Miranda
"Lincoln" Janusz Kaminski
"Skyfall" Roger Deakins
 
I have only seen "Lincoln" and "Skyfall", so far. Deakins my be like Gordon Willis and have to be given an honorary Oscar after he is retired for a while.
 
I think this might be Deakins year, of course I say that every time he is nominated
Its gonna be a close call between Skyfall and life of pi, both deserving films
 
Yeah, trying to handicap an Oscar race is a fools errand for sure, but maybe. "Skyfall" is Roger Deakins biggest film, and he has gotten a lot of press for his contribution to it. Then there is the $Billion plus box office. We will have to wait and see. I am going to wait and see. He is due.
 
Life of Pi looked better than Skyfall in my opinion. I know it's fashionable here to fawn all over Deakins, but he's not the be all and end all of cinematography.
 
Gary Huff said:
Life of Pi looked better than Skyfall in my opinion. I know it's fashionable here to fawn all over Deakins, but he's not the be all and end all of cinematography.
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Like I said, I haven't seen "Life of Pi" yet. I am going to try and catch it this weekend. I have seen the trailer and it sure does look pretty, but if it hadn't been nominated for the Cinematography Oscar it doesn't look like a flick I would normally go and see. I hope I am surprised by it.
 
Life of CGI.

Would love to see something else win. I'm a huge fan of Deakins and Robert Richardson. I hope it's one of them, although Bob just won last year, so I'll say go Seamus! Irish power!

He's more talented than most of his films allow him to be. Watch this film of his and atonement.
 
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
so I'll say go Seamus! Irish power!
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Jeeez!!! Get the Guinness ready!

Yeah, Robert Richardson is a 3 timer already (and rightfully so). From what I have seen "Life of Pi" does have "That Look" that the general Academy voters seem to go for. I think that Gordon Willis best described it when he was asked about Haskell Wexler winning the Oscar for "Bound for Glory". He said, "...It looks like a beer commercial"!
 
I think Lincoln will win it, or possibly Life of Pi. I love Deakins but I don't think Skyfall will be his victory dance. He will win it eventually though, or at the very least get an honorary in 15 years.
 
If Deakins doesn't win this year it would be a real shame.

Life of Pi should've been nominated for Visual Effects instead :P

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Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
Life of CGI.
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This. I'm not going to say Life of Pi wasn't beautifully shot -- because it was -- but the visual poignancy of that film comes from places other than light and frame, in my opinion. I haven't seen Anna Karenina. For me personally, it's finally Roger's time. Skyfall is beautifully shot (as are the other films obviously) but in a close race or a tie between the top three or two, I'd say give it to Roger Deakins just because he deserves it. I mean come on, back when there was only four nominations in the cinematography category the dude was nominated twice in the same year and still lost!
 
refocusedmedia said:
If Deakins doesn't win this year it would be a real shame.

Life of Pi should've been nominated for Visual Effects instead :P

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VIX1m.jpg
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Agreed. I saw Life of Pi. I'd like Richardson, McGarvey, or Deakins to get it. Richardson just won, so perhaps make that McGarvey or Deakins... however, I know that's not how awards should go, but hey, Oscars are hardly anything but political or trending, so I guess anything goes!
 
I didn't care for life of pi. Way to much CGI for me. Not to mention much of it looked like **** as far as I'm concerned. Just silly. There were a few shots I loved, but mehh, Just not Oscar worthy.
 
Yep, I won't say I told you so.
Next year, they should change the award category to Best Visual Achievement. Cinematography is just one craft used to create the final look.
 
I find it odd to bash the Cinematography of Life of Pi, unless people think it's simple to realistically light for the look of the middle of the ocean in a water tank. On top of that, lots of material from location shooting as well.
 
Liam Hall said:
Yep, I won't say I told you so.
Next year, they should change the award category to Best Visual Achievement. Cinematography is just one craft used to create the final look.
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But then who do they give it to? I say have the cinematographer be the a creative supervisor in post. Someone needs the follow a film from start to finish, and the director is one of them, yet can't be expected to have his attention narrowly on post visuals when there is editing, music, sound, etc to also oversee.
 
3 of the last 4 winners for best cinematography have been very CGI-heavy films, several of which featured mostly imagined and digitally-created locations. Life of Pi, Hugo (were there ANY real locations in that movie?), and Avatar. Hugo in particular looked fantastic and featured some insane camera work, I just can't help but share the feeling that giving a cinematography award to a film that is predominantly created inside of a computer doesn't feel right. Who lights the digital elements in the frame? Who creates the final framing? Who creates the digital camera moves? Is it still "cinematography" in the same sense if the DP is primarily shooting mattes and plates, and leaving most of the lighting/framing/movement decisions up to animators? I'm torn here because these films were all huge visual accomplishments, and all are deserving of accolades and praise for their look. I know that the DPs for these films are giants in the industry who are immensely skilled and very deserving of accolades and praise. That being said, their job on these films is not the same job that they would perform on a less vfx heavy film. But then again, where is the line drawn? Maybe I'm just bitching for no reason.
 
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