"We thank you for your respect" – Variety

Cinematographers who fought the decision to restrict the broadcast of four Oscars congratulated the Academy of Cinema Arts and Sciences for canceling the exclusions.

"We thank you for your respect for the dedicated members of the film community, whose dedication and exceptional talents deserve the public recognition that this reversal now allows them to enjoy," said the president of the American Society of Cinematographers. , Kees van Osstrom, who led the opposition.

"The honor offered by the Oscars is essential to validate the assertion that anyone who contributes to the creation of a film is an artist," he added.

Van Oostrum and three other members of the CSA – Hoyte van Hoytema, Rachel Morrison and Emmanuel Lubezki – met Thursday night with Dawn Hudson, Academy CEO, and Academy President, John Bailey to plead their cause. The controversy erupted when AMPAS announced Monday that the awards parties for four categories – cinematography, film editing, makeup and hairstyle, and live action – would be featured during the commercial breaks and presented later in the live broadcast live. to the television. form.

Related

The decision by AMPAS to cut live broadcast presentations prompted a group of CSA members to send an inflammatory open letter Wednesday night demanding a reversal of the decision with Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino, Roger Deakins, Damien Chazelle, Ang Lee, Martin Scorsese and George Clooney, among others. AMPAS canceled the decision Friday afternoon.

Here is the new ASC letter:

February 15, 2019
An open letter to the Academy of Arts and Film Science,

It is with great pride and respect that we write this letter in which we congratulate the Academy for reconsidering its decision and relaunching the Oscars for the purposes of cinematography, live film, editing, Makeup and hairstyles, live. Annual Academy Awards Ceremony.

From the beginning, it was clear to us that the initial decision was difficult, making your current leadership even more courageous. We believe that the founding mission of the Academy – paying tribute to its members and the film community – is best served when it continues to promote feature films as a collaborative art form.

In exploring this issue, we all recalled an important distinction: Oscars can not become just another television celebrity. Our prestigious academy has a higher purpose and must distinguish itself from other organizations by also recognizing the most outstanding artists and artisans of all categories.

We thank you for your respect for the dedicated members of the film community, whose dedication and exceptional talents deserve the public recognition that this reversal now allows them to enjoy.

When the American Society of Cinematographers was created 100 years ago – in 1919 by our 15 founding members – one of the essential tasks of their mission was to make sure that directors of photography did not are more considered as mere "technicians". They wanted to be recognized for the artistic talent that they brought. to each production. Even today, a century later, this struggle for recognition is shared by all who work in all departments. The honor offered by the Oscars is essential to validate the assertion that whoever contributes to the making of a film is an artist.

This is what the initial group of directors of photography attest to, who wrote our original letter of response to the Academy's projects and the hundreds of filmmakers who signed it.

The CSA looks forward to working closely with the Academy as part of a joint effort to make the annual Oscars the entertaining and prestigious show we know possible!

Regards,

Kees van Oostrum
President of the ASC