The IMAGO General Assembly 2008
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Hosted by the Netherland's Society of Cinematographers (NSC) the IMAGO Annual General Assembly IAGA took place between 15 and 17 th of February in Amsterdam. Nigel Walters BSC was elected president of IMAGO for the term 2008-2010 replacing Andreas Fischer-Hansen DFF who was on board for the last 4 years.
The retired president Andreas Fischer-Hasen was heavily acclaimed during the weekend and has received the prize of gratitude and recognition for his excellent work during the past four years. It was a very fruitful period for IMAGO. The Federation was reorganized financially and politically. IMAGO got far better relations with other institutions and companies, published the Model Contract for Cinematographers, solved the chaotic situation left with the publication of the book «Making Pictures», got the Federation involved into the new technologies by becoming member of EDCF with the leadership of Kommer Kleijn SBC, along with the organization of the Digital Conference in Oslo where was presented the proposal for several frame rates for the digital image. It has kept the flame shinning for the authorship rights for cinematographers and working conditions amongst many other initiatives like the Conference in Huelva for Authorship Rights and publication of DVD's about the Digital Conference and the Declaration of Working Conditions. The IMAGO website was renewed from scratch by Vice-President Tony Costa AIP and communication within members was established along with a permanent collaboration with the British Cinematographer Magazine which widens a new sight for IMAGO. The creation of the IMAGO several committees to work on Educational, Technical, Authorship and Working Conditions programs bring to the European Federation of Cinematographers a wide range of activities to work on. Recently in Frankfurt was signed a contract of collaboration with the directors of the Film Festival eDIT and a fruitful collaboration with the European Forum EUXXL is underway. During this period Greece , Ukraine , Russia , Estonia , Latvia , Lithuania and Slovenia became IMAGO members. In Amsterdam Romania RSC became the 28 th member of IMAGO represented by Alex Sterian, Oleg Mutu and Diana Apostol. One more associate member has joined IMAGO with great enthusiasm, Australia , which was represented by Ted Rayment president of ACS. The expanding of members will continue in the next few years and New Zealand cinematographers who have recently founded their society will be the next to come on board. The principal aim of IMAGO is to reunite all cinematographers of the World to improve and promote the technical artistic and moral conditions in order to preserve the quality of images cinematographers produce of which they are the authors. The continuation to pursue the right to be recognized as co-authors of a film is one of the main issues of the new presidency. Some improvements have taken place in Spain where the Local Collecting Society has recognized cinematographers as authors. In Italy a long legal procedure is under way. In other countries there is still a long way to go. For that reason IMAGO has approved the Model Contract for Cinematographers to help and to insure that procedures are taken as the same level every where in the world. The same is in relation to the degradation of working conditions that is taking place over the world. The European Federation of Cinematographers has no fears to declare publicly that the continuation of this procedure prejudices enormously quality and safety of people. The IMAGO committees were created at the previous General Assembly at Lisbon with the initiative of Paul René Roestad are taking a great part in the activities. The Master Class Committee has been working on a Master Class to take place in Copenhagen in late 2008. The Technical Committee is aiming to work along with the Master Class Committee in order to pursue a complementary objective which can be realized at eDIT Film Festival in autumn 2008 in Frankfurt . The membership with EDCF has proven to be reliable for the future. The new technologies based on the digital format must be encouraged to manufacturers and cinematographers to achieve the highest level of image quality. To enforce Moral Rights of the cinematographer all over the world is indeed the main task of the Federation. To implement a more active role on these matters that crosses authorship rights and working conditions already referred above, IMAGO needs to participate in all events like at eDIT in Frankfurt , establish stronger ties with festivals like Camerimage and Manaki. To participate and organize conferences related to the art of cinematography in the same level as it has done in the past in Norway with the Digital Conference. To be represented at Technical fairs like BSC Equipment Show and at AFC Micro Salon without forgetting every two years the CINEC show in Munich . The NSC has given an excellent and remarkable hospitality to all members. The weekend started by visiting the Rijksmuseum and ended with screenings of the documentary «Dutch Light» with the presence of cinematographer Paul van den Bos NSC and in the afternoon was screened parts of the assignment for the Museum «Nightwatching» based on the famous painting with detailed explanations by cinematographer Reinier van Brummelen NSC. Many other topics can be pointed as new or continued activities for the Federation. At present results are highly positive. The motivation sensed and the spirit of solidarity amongst all delegates was an evidence of the improvement of the Federation that more than ever has more responsibilities and tasks to achieve. For the first time in history the next two general assemblies are already appointed to take place. In March 2009 it will be in London during the BSC Equipment Show and in 2010 in Tallin – Estonia announced by Arko Okk hosted by ESC. This is more than was ever expected a few years ago. The new IMAGO Board for 2008-2010 President - Nigel Walters BSC – UK
see all photos here. To see more photos visit the NSC website.
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