IMAGO new President
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« Firstly, I would like to say, how privileged I am to address you here in this “Home of Light” for cinematographers and honored to represent my country and I am honored to be considered a candidate for the post as your next President», These were the first words addressed to the General Assembly by Nigel Walters who was elected to become the seventh president of IMAGO since its foundation in 1992. Nigel Walters born in Wales in 1941 has been a cameraman since the 1960's. He worked as a BBC Cinematographer out of Ealing Studios for thirty years" He became a freelancer in 1992 and has shot several films amongst them "One of the Hollywood Ten" with Jeff Goldblum , Queer as Folk, Marple,Around the World in 80 days, Streetlife, Sasigon Baby or Kavanagh QC. There are many issues as priority for the new board of IMAGO one of them is to expand the name of IMAGO by collaborating with various organisations like eDIT Film Festival as he wrote in his speech. «Imago exists to promote the activities of cinematographers and our craft. The agreement signed between IMAGO and the Frankfurt Filmmakers Festival, eDIT, has presented IMAGO with a long-term window to promote the art of the European cinematographer» The deal with eDIT is already underway as he explains «The BSC is organising this year's contribution to eDIT on September 29th. In 2009, the French will take over responsibilities for eDIT on behalf of IMAGO. The British contribution is planned to include a discussion forum, the showing of clips from the current Paul Greengrass film The Green Zone, and a discussion with Barry Ackroyd BSC, Peter Chiew, the VFX supervisor and hopefully the editor and director on the film. An item on the restoration of 16mm negative film and the work of improving the quality of deteriorating 35mm negative feature films is also planned. Aardman Animation has agreed to contribute a presentation on their work, including latest animated short film .» The social matters are as well a big concern by the new president. «The task of legislating effectively between countries with different backgrounds, cultures and traditions is a nightmare. Working conditions in some parts of Europe are appalling and IMAGO is committed to working with the trades unions who alone negotiate national agreements. A committee is being established under Kurt Brazda AAC with the task of communicating with the EU. The Austrians have an agreement from their trades union to pay for funding for a European initiative called “Progress”, which establishes an investigation into working conditions in “suspect” industries. It is hoped that the outcome will to lead to a change in EU legislation. Two supporting artists, plus one lady cinematographer, have been killed in Germany in the past six months. IMAGO's declaration at Camerimage in Lodz needs implementation to protect film workers. We are committed to the Conrad Hall statement that, “the expanding practice of working extreme hours seriously compromises the quality of our work and the health and safety of others.” The authorship issue is another matter that IMAGO is pursuing since its foundation. The long way to overcome is not an impossible task. It is a goal for all cinematographers around the world. « The acceptance of the right of the cinematographer to be recognised as author of his work throughout Europe is a fundamental goal of IMAGO. In Italy five cinematographers including Vittorio Storaro are currently involved in litigation against their collecting rights society. They are challenging the collector's rights denial that they are the authors of their work. In Spain they are taking the political approach through legislation. Soon there may be a majority of European countries that recognise the rights of the cinematographer to be recognised as the authors of their work. The IMAGO publication of the model contract has to be taken further. IMAGO is the only organisation capable of enforcing European legislation, which eventually will benefit the UK . IMAGO has a responsibility to ensure that all cinematographers realise the benefits of joining collective rights societies.» Many other tasks must be looked after. The financial base for IMAGO to grow further than its European borders is one of the objectives of his presidency. « The future is dependent upon the generosity of sponsors in supporting the efforts of IMAGO to promote the art of cinematography. The main priorities of the incoming presidency are the implementation of the model contract, the recognition of authorship rights and the improvement of working conditions. Sanity must be restored to this industry» he adds. Nigel Walters would like to thank Bastiaan Houtkooper , president of the NSC, and the NSC members, for hosting such a successful IAGA in Amsterdam . Thanks also to Cristina Busch , IMAGO's legal advisor. Along with Holland , the smaller nations of Europe , including Hungary , Portugal , Norway and Denmark , have done IMAGO proud in recent years. It is now time for the larger countries to take the lead. You can find his complete biography at: Pictures from the event at
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Nigel Walters BSC new IMAGO President