ASC Hosts Loyola Marymount Students for Education Panel
Panelists discuss why outreach events such as this are critical to the ASC’s mission and advancing the profession of cinematography.
The Society recently welcomed students from Loyola Marymount University to the historic ASC Clubhouse in Hollywood for a panel discussion about working in the entertainment industry. These events, which are part of the Society’s ongoing education and outreach programming, allow students the unique opportunity to hear ASC members talk candidly about their careers, influences and challenges.
The ASC hosted similar panel discussions in 2018 for students at San Diego State University and California State University, Northridge as well as Queensland University of Technology and a number of high schools and colleges across the US — including Asbury University, Compass College of Cinematic Arts, Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Visual Arts, Tulane University and Reseda Charter High School.
Panelists at the event included Michael Goi (American Horror Story, My Name Is Earl), Cynthia Pusheck (Good Girls Revolt, Revenge) and Karl-Walter Lindenlaub (Independence Day, Stargate).
The panels are assembled by Education & Outreach committee chair George Spiro Dibie, ASC, who also serves as the discussion moderator. ASC members participate on a volunteer basis, and about why he offers his time, Goi — who also serves as a director and was ASC president from 2009 through 2012 — says, “Mentoring and educating other filmmakers is the most important thing I will ever do — more than directing or shooting. Like they say: ‘You never remember who won a Hollywood award two years later, but you always remember your first-grade teacher.’ Being able to expose a young filmmaker to the way the industry actually works is a perspective that they will not be able to get anywhere else. Mentorships are the foundation for the future.”
He adds: “I like seeing that spark of inspiration on a young filmmaker's face when I happen to say something that resonates with them.”
For ASC Vice President Pusheck, who also serves as co-chair of the ASC Vision Committee — which is dedicated to promoting and facilitating change and the advancement of underrepresented cinematographers, their crews and other filmmakers — representation at these panels is crucial. “I’m highly motivated to participate on these panels because I want students to see at least one female cinematographer up there!” she says. The cinematographer adds that it can be disheartening for diverse aspiring filmmakers to see a lack of representation at industry events or panels, so it is critical to showcase gender and race diversity.
“Motivating and inspiring the next generation is what these panels are all about,” she explains.
The discussions are entirely generated by student questions, and topics at the recent panel included conversations with a director before and after a job offer, executing the next steps after graduation, how to prepare for a long project and the differences between shooting one episode of a television show versus photographing the entire season.
When asked what the cinematographers do between projects, Goi quickly responded, “Having a life.” Students laughed, but all panelists agreed that this is an incredibly important aspect of the job. Pusheck added that she takes the time to solidify schedules and read more books, and Lindenlaub remarked that spending time with family is imperative and that time off can be an opportunity to try and improve oneself.
“The ASC educational panels are a lot of fun, and I love to participate on them,” Pusheck offers. “I usually end up being very impressed by how forthcoming the ASC DPs are — sharing both personal and professional stories that really give the students an insight about what it’s like to be a working cinematographer.”
In terms of why these panels are so critical to the mission of the Society, Goi attests: “The ASC is committed to actively helping the next generation of cinematographers through seminars, educational publications and videos and individual contact with ASC members. There is really no substitute for having direct information from your cinematography heroes. That was true of myself when I first met Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC as a young cinematographer, and it's true today with every seminar we do.”
For more information about ASC Education & Outreach events, email Patty Armacost or call (323) 969-4333.
