ARRI is proud to announce the second annual Volker Bahnemann Cinematography Awards have been presented to Hunter Baker (undergraduate division) and Pepe Avila Del Pino (graduate division), two talented cinematography students of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television. The honorees were selected by faculty based on rigorous criteria, keeping in mind Bahnemann’s legacy, which has become synonymous with excellence in cinematography.
Says Bahnemann, “After having retired from active participation in the industry I love, there is nothing more gratifying than to be exposed to and involved with these enormously motivated and talented young filmmakers. Their imaginative work is stunningly good and displays a high level of knowledge of the entire, complex process. I am very happy being able to contribute in some small manner to their development.”
Avila Del Pino and Baker will receive production grants to further their cinematographic work.
“As film students we sometimes feel that our work won’t transcend the walls of school. We are submerged in trying our best, but don’t have any perspective on the actual relevance of what we do. So the fact that an institution like ARRI is giving this award means that somehow our work as cinematographers is being acknowledged, and this is definitely a motivation to keep trying,” said Avila Del Pino.
“My first camera was an ARRIFLEX SR III. I always knew that ARRI cameras were the most reliable and well-built tools to use in the industry for field and studio application. ARRI has a storied past of hard work, dedication, and commitment to the craft; I try to hold these same values in my life,” noted Baker, who worked as a camera assistant from the ages of 17-21.
Del Pino is now tackling his thesis film, a short film set in a southern town of Mexico. Baker is currently working on a six-hour documentary following the Liverpool Football Club for FOX that premieres this fall. The Volker Bahnemann Award in Cinematography is pleased to recognize these two emerging filmmakers as they embark on their careers.
About Volker Bahnemann
With a career spanning over 45 years at ARRI, Bahnemann was the former President and CEO who helped shape the company into the largest and most reputable motion picture equipment manufacturer in the world. He is a recipient of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) Fuji Gold Medal Award, along with the prestigious John Bonner Medal of Commendation from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences (AMPAS). He co-wrote and produced, with director/DP Jon Fauer the documentary CINEMATOGRAPHER STYLE, featuring over 100 interviews with cinematographers from all over the world. He was responsible for the initiation, development and refinement of many significant filmmaking technologies such as the ARRIFLEX 35III, ARRI 765, ARRIFLEX 435 and ARRIFLEX 235 cameras, and ARRI/Zeiss High Speed and Variable Prime lenses. These products have had a huge impact on the way films are shot and have been recognized with Scientific and Technical Awards from AMPAS.
About ARRI
With headquarters located in Munich, Germany, Arnold and Richter Cine Technik (A&R) was founded in 1917 and is the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of motion picture camera, digital intermediate (DI) and lighting equipment. The ARRI Group comprises a global network of subsidiaries, agents and representatives that covers all aspects of the film industry: design, engineering, production, equipment rental, turnkey lighting solutions, postproduction, film and sound laboratory services, and visual effects. Manufactured products include the groundbreaking ALEXA digital camera system, film cameras, professional camera accessories, cutting-edge LED lighting and DI solutions such as the ARRISCAN and archive tools. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has recognized ARRI’s engineers and their technical contributions technologies with 18 Scientific and Engineering Awards.
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