Illuminating Cinematography Awards w/ ASC GM Delphine Figueras & American Cinematographer Editor-in-Chief Stephen Pizzello

In this episode of The Season, I spoke with Delphine Figueras, General Manager of the The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), and Stephen Pizzello , Editor-in-Chief of American Cinematographer Magazine . Both are deeply involved in the ASC's mission, balancing professional and personal dynamics as a married couple and bringing extensive expertise to their roles. Delphine manages the ASC’s high-profile events, like the ASC Awards and Clubhouse Conversations, while Stephen curates influential editorial coverage that elevates cinematography within the awards landscape.

As always, a few of my takeaways are highlighted below in this article. For the rest of the interview, I encourage you to listen to the full episode of The Season.?

The ASC’s Role in Awards Season

The ASC is a central hub for cinematography during awards season, with Delphine and Stephen driving the organization’s events and editorial impact.?

Delphine explained the meticulous work behind ASC's Clubhouse Conversations, an interview series where cinematographers discuss their craft with peers. Initially, it was an in-person educational program, but it evolved to spotlight award-season projects, making it an essential stop for those in the cinematography field.

“It all started as an educational program, but during the pandemic, we reached out to studios and publicists to continue promoting talent. That’s when we saw the potential for this series to spotlight award-worthy work,” Delphine shared.

From his side, Stephen understands his responsibility as Editor-in-Chief of American Cinematographer. While admitting awards season is “not for the faint-hearted” with all the money and reputations at risk, he does feel the pressure to get his coverage right. He even offered a bit of advice to make the situation better for everyone.

“We have in-depth conversations about every significant project that hits our radar. The best way for studios, publicists, and even cinematographers to give their projects a boost is to invite the magazine's editors to the earliest screening as possible.If we see high quality work on the screen, it makes it much easier for us to make an early decision on coverage. Otherwise, we might be prognosticating based on the reputations of the filmmakers or the trailers or just buzz we've heard.”

Honoring Craft and Tradition with the ASC Awards

Delphine and Stephen have brought their unique talents to the annual ASC Awards event, celebrating the best in cinematography. Delphine manages production and collaborates on writing, while Stephen has contributed in various roles, including head writer. For the 2024 ASC Awards, Delphine is excited about the honorees, including Andre Bartkowiak and Joan Churchill, whom the ASC will recognize for their lifetime achievements.

Whereas Hugh Fink told us they produce the Writers Guild Awards show in about four to six weeks, it’s more of a year-round endeavor for Delphine and the ASC.

“The planning of the award show starts the week after the previous one ended. You're taking notes the whole season of what works, what doesn't work, where you need to course correct for next time.”?

Stephen offered his perspective on what makes the ASC Awards special.

“We’ve heard over the years that our award show has its own unique, special vibe. People seem to really enjoy it. We go at it sometimes with a little bit more light hearted touch. I think it's unique from the other award shows in the way it's presented.”

Camerimage International Film Festival

As a film festival, the idea of attending CAMERIMAGE International Film Festival has always intrigued me. Then, I looked up what it would take to get there and decided against my attendance.?

I took the opportunity to learn from Stephen, who attends annually, about what makes it a can’t-miss film festival for him. His love for the festival makes the trek sound a bit less daunting.

“Camerimage being timed where it is on the calendar is pretty important for cinematographers because the cream of the crop goes there. They treat everybody who shows up like a true VIP. Cinematographers who go are afforded the kind of treatment usually reserved for directors or people like that. They are the stars at that festival.”

He may have had me sold me when he talked about partying all night and the “piles of pierogies,” but you’ll have to listen to the episode to see if you agree.

Final Cut

It’s undoubtedly a dynamic interview with two guests in the fold this week. Stephen and Delphine have a lot of pride in their work and its impact on the industry at large, especially when it comes to awards season coverage. You can hear it in their voices when they recall stories or share that James Cameron and Paul Thomas Anderson consider American Cinematography a part of their film education.?

To hear more about how the ASC continues to shape the awards season landscape and delve into Delphine and Stephen’s perspectives on upcoming projects, tune into the full episode of The Season. And we’d love to hear your thoughts—reach out on social media @fycitapp or leave a review on your favorite platform.