The Masterclass 2001 confirmed that cinematography is a global language and a
collaboration with directors as story-tellers.

HUNGARIAN ACADEMY WRAPS 6^TH INTERNATIONAL MASTERCLASS

by Bob Fischer

BUDAPEST -- Thirty-six young and aspiring cinematographers from 17 countries participated in the 6th International Masterclass here at the Hungarian Academy of Drama, Film and Television from August 27 through September 9. Sixteen were participants in the Masterclass and 20 were observors. The Masterclass was conducted in collaboration with the Hungarian Society of Cinematographers (HSC). Classes were led by Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC and Laszlo Kovacs, ASC, who were educated at Hungarian Academy of Drama, Film and Television.

"Some of the world's most talented young cinematographers participated in this workshop," says János Xantus, Director of the Masterclass. "The Masterclass confirmed for them that cinematography is a global language and a collaboration with directors as story-tellers." The 16 workshop participants were selected from 52 applicants recommended by CILECT, an international alliance of film schools. Daily workshops were conducted on a sound stage at BK Film Studios with state of the art lighting equipment provided by Sparks Lighting Ltd. The students organized themselves into teams which collaborated in filming short exercises. Xantus reports that each morning the students met to discuss to the exercises scheduled for production that day. Their films were processed by Hungarian Film Laboratories which also provided dailies for screening each afternoon. Every evening the students watched classic movies photographed by Zsigmond and Kovacs, including The Deer Hunter, Obsession, Easy Rider and The King of Marvin Gardens.There were additional screenings of films photographed by prominent Hungarian cinematographers, including Elemér Ragályi, HSC, Iván Márk, HSC, Tibor Máthé, HSC, Gábor Szabó,HSc, Mátyás Erdély, HSC and Lajos Koltai, HSC. The cinematographers were present at the screenings, and led vigorous discussions each evening.
Additional classes were conducted by Benjamin Bergery, from Panavision, who focussed on the Millennium XL camera and Primo lenses; cinematographer Marty Ollstein, inventor of Crystal Image software, who discussed filtration as a form of visual expression; and Hans Henneke, product service and planning manager, KODAK AG, who spoke about the wide choice of negative, intermediate and print stocks, and how they can be used as a creative tool.
Other leading edge filmmakers were in Budapest during the workshop attending a meeting of IMAGO, an association of some 20 European cinematography associations in Europe. Participants included Tibor Vagyóczky, HSC, president of IMAGO, and György Illés, HSC who founded the Cinematography Department at the Hungarian Academy of Drama, Film and Television in 1949. During the IMAGO meeting, Illes was made an honorary member of the Austrian Association of Cinematographers during the meeting.
Kodak is a main sponsor of the Master Class. Janet Anderson, Marketing Manager for the Kodak Entertainment Imaging Division in Europe, presented certificates of completion to participants and observers during the closing ceremonies.
The 7th Masterclass is scheduled for summer 2003. For additional information visit www.filmacademy.hu/dop.htm