Don Devine takes TV honor on the basis of “Mad Men”
The Society of Camera Operators (SOC) tonight announced winners of the Camera Operator of the Year Awards in film and television. Peter Taylor, ACO, SOC, won Camera Operator of the Year in Feature Film for “Gravity.” His counterpart on the TV side was Don Devine, SOC, for “Mad Men.”
Honors were bestowed during a black-tie event in Herscher Hall at the Skirball Cultural Center. The event took place before an audience of 500, including SOC and International Cinematographer Guild (ICG) members, industry executives and press. SOC VP and Awards executive producer David Frederick, SOC, presided over the event with emcee Bruce Carse. All proceeds from the show are donated to the Vision Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The honor was accepted by Dr. Thomas Lee, director of the Retinal Center.
A special In Memoriam tribute to Sarah Jones, the 27-year-old assistant camerawoman killed by a train while filming Midnight Rider on February 20, was included in the evening’s proceedings. Frederick, former SOC president Dan Kneece, and SOC VP Mark August presented an honorary associate membership certificate to Jones’ parents, Richard and Elizabeth, to a standing ovation.
Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, previously announced, included Chris Haarhoff, SOC, Camera Operator, presented by Colin Anderson; Bill Coe, Camera Technician, presented by Steve Campanelli; Barry Wetcher, SMPSP, Still Photographer, presented by Will Gluck; Jack Carpenter, Mobile Camera Platform Operator, presented by Duncan Henderson. The Distinguished Service Award was given to the founder of Filmtools, Inc., Stan McClain, SOC, presented by Michael Frediani. Leonard Chapman, founder of Chapman-Leonard Studio Equipment, received the President’s Award, presented by SOC President Chris Tufty. Accepting the Technical Achievement Awards were president Tom Hallman, on behalf of Pictorvision, presented by McClain, and Dave Grober, founder and president, on behalf of Motion Picture Marine, presented by David Emmerichs. The honor for Historical Shot went to J. Michael Muro for his zip line shot in “The Mighty Quinn,” presented by Jerry Holway.
Guests included ICG president Steven Poster, ICG national executive director Bruce Doering, SOC president Chris Tufty, president of Local 871 Michele Tedlis Sorbo, and president of Local 80 Russell Nordstedt. Richard Crudo, president of the American Society of Cinematographers, presented the Camera Operator of the Year Awards.
Eleanor Adds Director Candice Vernon To Its Roster For Spots and Branded Content
Director Candice Vernon has joined production house Eleanor for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. She has already wrapped several jobs at Eleanor, which waited to announce her until they had a body of work together.
Via Eleanor, Vernon made history as the first Black director on a Febreze commercial. The “Small Spaces” campaign marks a major departure from Febreze’s typical blue-and-white world. The home of the “Revolving Door” commercial is a beautiful array of bold sunset hues, African prints, and African art.
Vernon said, “I asked myself, what feels right to me? What feels new? I wanted to bring an essence of not just Black Americans but the full diaspora. I wanted to make a statement that we’re not a monolith.”
Following the success of the “Small Spaces” campaign, Febreze brought Vernon back for a comedy-infused trifecta exploring the hilarious situations that call for an air freshening hero.
Febreze Brand VP Angelica Matthews said, “About two years ago, we realized the consumers that were the most loyal to Febreze were the African American consumers. And the more we learned, the more we realized the richness that we were really missing. So we said we have to go beyond just Black casting, we need to get Black directors that truly understand the culture that truly understand how to bring authentic performances out on screen. We really looked around the industry and noticed there’s actually a shortage of African American directors who have experience doing commercials. When we all saw Candice’s reel, we could all tell the passion for the craft, passion for really trying to help us from where we are to where we’re trying to go.”
Vernon brings a unique lens to... Read More