By Carolyn Giardina
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. --Daryn Okada, ASC–whose recent credits include Just Like Heaven and Stick It–has been elected president of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC). He succeeds Richard Crudo, ASC (American Pie), who has served three terms as ASC president.
“I am both humbled and honored that my colleagues have chosen me for this role,” Okada said. “I will rely on the advice and the support of our members and associates as we continue on the historic mission defined by the founders of ASC nearly 90 years ago. We are dedicated to advancing both the art and the craft of filmmaking .
“I believe that those of us who are privileged to work in this extraordinary industry have an obligation to the filmmakers who inspired us in the past, to future generations and to the public who are relying on us to explore the next frontiers,” Okada added.
During his career, Okada has compiled more than 40 credits, including Lake Placid, My Father the Hero, Wild Hearts Can’t be Broken, Anna Karenina, Dr. Doolittle 2, Joe Somebody, Cradle 2 The Grave, Mean Girls, and Paparazzi. His work on the miniseries In A Child’s Name (1991) earned him an ASC Outstanding Achievement Award nomination. The DP is currently shooting the feature Sex and Death 101, directed by Daniel Waters.
Okada most recently served on the ASC board as a VP, and he also is the ASC Technology Committee’s steering chair. “The art of filmmaking and the evolution of new visual technologies have been inseparably linked from the earliest days of the industry,” Okada related. “Our goal is to help assure that the evolution of technology serves the cinematic arts.”
The ASC’s officers include VPs Michael Goi, ASC, William A. Fraker, ASC, BSC and Caleb Deschanel, ASC, treasurer Victor J. Kemper, ASC, secretary Michael Negrin, ASC and sergeant at arms John Hora, ASC.
The organization’s new board of governors also includes Curtis Clark, ASC, George Spiro Dibie, ASC, Richard Edlund, ASC, Francis Kenny, ASC, Isidore Mankofsky, ASC, Woody Omens, ASC, Nancy Schreiber, ASC, John Toll, ASC, Kees Van Oostrum, ASC, Roy Wagner, ASC and Haskell Wexler, ASC. Alternate members of the board are Victor Kemper, ASC, Laszlo Kovacs, ASC, Stephen Lighthill, ASC, and Robert Primes, ASC.
Park Pictures Signs Director Rachel Morrison
Park Pictures now represents director Rachel Morrison for commercial filmmaking. Morrison first came into prominence as a cinematographer, working on indie features, television, and blockbuster hits, which put her on the path toward her directing career. Her feature film directorial debut, “The Fire Inside,” is set for wide theatrical release by MGM on Christmas Day 2024.
Morrison has a background in photojournalism and a master’s degree from the American Film Institute. She made history as the first woman nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography for her work on “Mudbound,” directed by Dee Rees. Morrison was also the first woman to lens a Marvel film, “Black Panther.” She also served as cinematographer for hit movies like “Dope,” “Fruitvale Station,” and the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary “What Happened Miss Simone?”
As a director, Morrison has helmed many campaigns for brands like IKEA, Netflix, Gap, Michelob Ultra, Ford, a spot for Nissan starring Brie Larson, and a Coach ad starring Michael B. Jordan. She also directed many episodes of television for shows like “The Mandalorian,” “The Morning Show,” “American Crime Story: Impeachment,” “Hightown,” and “American Crime.”
“I believe in humanity above all else,” remarked Morrison. “Park Pictures similarly puts emotional and relatable storytelling first. Everyone I’ve met there is driven to push the envelope forward and create memorable and visual films. I’m excited to sign with Park and look forward to furthering my commercial career with them.”
Jackie Kelman Bisbee, founding partner of Park Pictures, added, “Her work is at once grounded and elegant. She deeply understands everyone’s process both behind the... Read More