British Society of Cinematographers

British Society of Cinematographers
Founded1949
HeadquartersPinewood Studios, England
Location
  • United Kingdom
Membership
256
Key people
Christopher Ross BSC, President
Websitebscine.com

The British Society of Cinematographers (abbreviated B.S.C. or BSC) is an organisation formed in 1949 by Bert Easey (23 August 1901 – 28 February 1973), the then head of the Denham and Pinewood studio camera departments,[1] to represent British cinematographers in the British film industry.

The stated objectives at the formation of the BSC were:

  • To promote and encourage the pursuit of the highest standards in the craft of Motion Picture Photography.
  • To further the applications by others of the highest standards in the craft of Motion Picture Photography and to encourage original and outstanding work.
  • To co-operate with all whose aims and interests are wholly or in part related to those of the society.
  • To provide facilities for social intercourse between the members and arrange lectures, debates and meetings calculated to further the objects of the Society.

There were originally 55 members. Currently, there are 256 full, honorary and associate members. For a British cinematographer, membership of the BSC is an affirmation of the high standard of their craft. The members of the British Society of Cinematographers are entitled to use BSC as postnominals in motion picture and television credits.

Notable members

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BSC members have won 22 Academy Awards over the last 95 years. Below is a list of some of their most notable members.[2]

Governance

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The current president of the British Society of Cinematographers is Christopher Ross BSC.[3] The BSC Board of Governors is made up 18 Full Members and a co-opted member from the Associate Membership. The 2022–23 Board of Governors are:

  • Christopher Ross BSC – President
  • Ula Pontikos BSC – Vice-President
  • Laurie Rose BSC – Vice-President
  • Oliver Stapleton BSC – Vice-President
  • Stuart Bentley BSC
  • Balazs Bolygo BSC
  • Oliver Curtis BSC
  • John de Borman BSC AFC
  • James Friend ASC BSC
  • Adriano Goldman ASC BSC ABC
  • Angus Hudson BSC
  • Nina Kellgren BSC
  • Phil Méheux BSC
  • Stephen Murphy BSC ISC
  • Tim Palmer BSC
  • Kate Reid BSC
  • Nigel Walters BSC
  • Chris Plevin ACO – Co-opted Associate Member Representative

The BSC employs four members of staff. Audra Marshall serves as Secretary of the BSC, Frances Russell serves as Treasurer, Duncan Bruce serves as Membership Engagement and Social Media and Helen MacLean runs the BSC office.

Award categories

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Film

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Television

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Other

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  • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Charles D Staffell Award for Visual Effects
  • BSC Bert Easey Technical Award
  • Special Achievement Award
  • BSC ARRI John Alcott Memorial Award
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In the 1981 film The Great Muppet Caper, Kermit and Fozzie comment on the opening credits as they appear. When the name of the film's cinematographer Oswald Morris with his post-nominal letters appears, Fozzie asks, "What does B.S.C. stand for?", to which Kermit perplexedly replies, "I don't know."[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "About the BSC". British Society of Cinematographers. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Past Accredited". British Society of Cinematographers. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Board". British Society of Cinematographers. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
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