COLLATERAL, THE PASSION, A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT, RAY and THE AVIATOR Nominated by American Society of Cinematographers

COLLATERAL, THE PASSION, A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT, RAY and THE AVIATOR Nominated by American Society of Cinematographers LOS ANGELES, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- COLLATERAL photographed by Dion Beebe, ASC, ACS and Paul Cameron, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST photographed by Caleb Deschanel, ASC, A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT photographed by Bruno Delbonnel, AFC, RAY photographed by Pawel Edelman, PSC, and THE AVIATOR photographed by Robert Richardson, ASC are the finalists in the feature film category of the 19th Annual American Society of Cinematographers Outstanding Achievement Awards competition. The winner will be named at the organization's awards gala here on February 13 at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland. "The six finalists were nominated by their peers who believe their artful cinematography made vital contributions to compelling motion pictures," says Owen Roizman, ASC, who chairs the organization's awards committee. "It wasn't an easy decision because many other cinematographers demonstrated an extraordinary range of talent and skill that contributed to the successes of films in 2004." Roizman notes there is no textbook formula for artful cinematography. The six finalists were nominated for different types of films, set in different places and periods. Themes ranged from drama and romance to biographical. The nominees are from France, Poland and Australia as well as the United States. "Cinematography is both a subjective and collaborative form of artistic expression," Roizman says. "All of the nominees created images that amplified moods and performances in ways that were transparent to audiences and consistent with the intentions of the scripts and the directors who were their collaborators." Deschanel is the only previous recipient of an ASC Outstanding Achievement Award. He took top honors in 2000 for THE PATRIOT, and earned another nomination for FLY AWAY HOME in 1997. Richardson was previously nominated for BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, JFK, A FEW GOOD MEN, HEAVEN & EARTH, THE HORSE WHISPERER and SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS. Delbonnel was previously nominated for AMELIE and Edelman for THE PIANIST. COLLATERAL marks the first ASC nomination for both Beebe and Cameron. The ASC Outstanding Achievement awards were inaugurated in 1986 for the purpose of recognizing and inspiring the pursuit and achievement of artistic excellence. ASC was founded in 1919. There are 275 active members of ASC today who trace their roots to some 20 countries. There are also 140 associate members in ancillary sectors of the motion picture industry that support the art and craft of filmmaking. For more information about the 19th annual ASC Outstanding Achievement Awards visit www.theasc.com or call 323-969-4333. Source: American Society of Cinematographers CONTACT: Media, Sally Christgau or Lisa Muldowney, +1-760-438-5250, or fax, +1-760-438-5230, CCSPR@aol.com, for American Society of Cinematographers Web site: http://www.theasc.com/ NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos available upon request. ------- Profile: International Entertainment