Alum Kyle Klutz wins ICG Award
The
International Cinematographer’s Guild
annually selects a handful of the most talented, promising professionals from its own ranks to compete for the Emerging Cinematographer’s Award.  Including Directors of Photography, Camera Operators, Visual Effects Supervisors, Still Photographers, Camera Assistants, Film Loaders, all members of camera crews, the pool of talented members can be quite huge, rivaling the Oscars in breadth of talent.

This year, our own alumnus, Kyle Klütz (’05, BFA Cinematography) was selected alongside seven of his fellow guildmates to receive the coveted title of Emerging Cinematographer of the Year.  Kyle worked as 1st Assistant Camera Operator on the short film
Vessel
, directed by Clark Baker, and written by the Duffer Brothers – Matt and Ross – with numerous other Chapman Alumni as well.  It’s a huge honor, especially for someone just starting out their career, and comes with a substantial prize package (check back next week when I interview Kyle, to find out what he won!)

I’ve written
about Vessel‘s crowdfunded production
in the past, and
the film can be seen here on Vimeo.
  It’s a trip! [
Update
: the film has sold to Paramount, and as a result has been taken off-line, but you can see a bit of the concept
on their Kickstarter
.]

Kyle shared his speech, naming some of his Chapman professors as he recalls his influences and supporters:

It was surreal to receive a call from Steven Poster, ASC congratulating me on this award. About 10 years ago I remember asking for his autograph after a screening of Donnie Darko at Chapman University. He graciously signed his name on the title page of his chapter “Emulsion Testing,” to which he referred to with a smile as “a great chapter.”

I knew this film was going to be a challenge from the start. I’d like to thank Matt and Ross Duffer, the writers, for both recommending me for the job and being merciful enough to at least omit animals and rain from their story. Thank you to Clark Baker, the director, for his trust and passion. Jeremy Hunt, our Visual Effects Supervisor, for his high standards and collaborative nature. To Mark Villalobos for his amazing creature design. To my wonderful crew, who helped us realize some pretty crazy ideas, thank you for enduring a 6-day flight with a smile.

Thank you to my family for the unconditional love and support. Thank you Courtney, for your constant encouragement and fortification. To my mentors Roger Chingirian, Pete Villani, Elisha Christian, Steve Lundgren, Alex Gaynor, Byron Werner, Mark Parry, Jurg Walther and Bill Dill who have been there to help troubleshoot any problem, thank you.

Thank you so much to Mr. Poster and Local 600 for actively promoting the next generation of arts and craftsmen. Thank you to Jim Matlosz and the ECA committee for your valuable time spent viewing these submissions. And thank you, MaryAnne MacDougall for flawlessly coordinating this event that seems to grow more and more each year.

To the other honorees, it has been an absolute pleasure getting to meet you and hear about your films. It’s an honor to be in your company and I look forward to seeing what everyone does next. Thank you.


The 7,200-member strong Guild provides support and professional guidelines to industry cinematographers around the world, producing the
ICG trade magazine
, and continuing education and workshops in a number of disciplines.  You can
check out their website
to see the impressive expertise on display in the Guild.

The first ceremony took place in LA, and the East Coast premiere of the films and awards will be held this weekend in New York City.  Cinematography lovers on the East Coast should stop by 209 E. 23rd St., on Sunday at 3PM to join the festivities.  Sadly, most of us here at the school will be locked onto the West Coast, so if you see Kyle in the crowd receiving congratulations, be sure to say hello for us!