Cinematographers: Looking Through The ViewfinderDPs Discuss Film, Digital, Their Work And Directors
By Robert Goldrich
March 22, 2010 -- One cinematographer has enjoyed a close-knit working relationship with director Jason Reitman spanning features and commercials.  Another was just honored with the American Society of Cinematographers Lifetime Achievement Award. A third DP broke in with music videos and has successfully diversified into spots. Here's a close-up look at Eric Steelberg, Caleb Deschanel, ASC, and Shawn Kim. 

Welcome To The Special Spring 2010 Edition Of SHOOT's Directors SeriesBy Robert Goldrich
March 22, 2010 -- DPs moving into the director's chair. Documentarians moving into commercials. Animators enjoying success helming in short and longer form. A music video/spot director making an auspicious feature debut only to since diversify into primetime TV while now on the cusp of a blockbuster movie. Mix in the five nominees for the DGA Award as Best Commercial Director of '09, including the winner of that honor, and you have a taste of our spring 2010 batch of established and emerging directors.

Joaquin Baca-AsayPunctuating a successful transition
By Robert Goldrich
March 22, 2010 -- For some time it's been clear that Joaquin Baca-Asay had arrived as a director. But putting a punctuation mark on his successful transition from cinematographer to commercial helmer was his first career DGA Award nomination back in January on the strength of four spot entries: CSX's "Breathe"; Volvo's "Switch"; Bank of America's "Doors"; and Lenscrafters' "See What You Love."

Pete CircuittA Gold standard for branded entertainment
By Robert Goldrich
March 22, 2010 -- Consider this a tale of two awards competitions, the first being the 2007 AICP Show which honored the Pete Circuitt-directed and animated Microsoft Zune "Monsters" spot in the Animation category. Fast forward to last month and Circuitt had a hand in another accolade, a One Show Entertainment Awards Gold Pencil for the primetime CBS animated Xmas special Yes, Virginia, which he directed for Macy's and JWT N.Y. 

Garth DavisFrom DGA Awards To The Super Bowl
By Robert Goldrich
March 22, 2010 -- When Garth Davis of Anonymous Content earned his first career DGA Award nomination for best commercial director of the year, he knew the honor was significant and hoped it might help to firmly establish him in the stateside market. But he got more than he bargained for, gaining inspiration at the DGA Awards ceremony from feature and commercial directors alike.

Craig GillespieA Super showing
By Robert Goldrich
March 22, 2010 -- It's only March and already director Craig Gillespie of MJZ has had an eventful 2010. In January, he earned his fourth career nomination for the DGA Award in the commercials category. In February he was the most ubiquitous director on the Super Bowl telecast. And this month he's begun shooting a pilot for an hourlong ABC drama series.

Tom KuntzThird time's the charm
By Robert Goldrich
March 22, 2010 -- For director Tom Kuntz of MJZ, the third time proved to be the charm as he recently won the DGA Award as best commercial director of 2009. This was Kuntz's third career DGA nomination, having previously been nominated for the honor based on his spot work in '06 and '08. The DGA Award capped what has been a prodigious awards show circuit performance for the director....

Ellen KurasAn ongoing commitment
By Robert Goldrich
March 22, 2010 -- Ellen Kuras, an accomplished cinematographer spanning features and commercials, has embarked on a new chapter in her career, signing with Park Pictures for her first representation as a spot director. However, she's no stranger to the director's chair, having earned a Best Documentary Oscar nomination last year for Nerakhoon, her helming debut.

Chris PalmerAll You Need Is Love (Stateside)
By Robert Goldrich
March 22, 2010 -- Director Chris Palmer of Gorgeous Enterprises, London, has wondered off and on again why he doesn't do more work stateside.  Yet as of late one has to wonder what he's wondering about, considering Palmer's directorial and conceptual involvement in Starbucks' global sing-along for BBDO N.Y., and his first career DGA Award nomination.

Wally PfisterEmotionally vested in directing
By Robert Goldrich
March 22, 2010 -- Wally Pfister's world-class visual acumen is acknowledged throughout the industry, reflected in three best cinematography Oscar nominations.  So it stood to reason that when he moved into the commercial director's chair, the initial assignments would be of a visual bent, tapping into his renowned eye. But now there's a move to access matters of the heart as Pfister has made major strides in broadening perceptions of his directorial mettle...