Exploring the impactful legacies of industry figures lost too soon and the ongoing need for safety and support in filmmaking.
Iconography
/ˌʌɪkəˈnɒɡrəfi/
Noun
- the traditional or conventional images or symbols associated with a subject and especially a religious or legendary subject
“The crucifix is part of the conventional iconography of Christian art”
- a representation or a group of representations of a person, place, or thing, as a portrait or a collection of portraits.
- the imagery or symbolism of a work of art, an artist, or a body of art
“William Blake created a complex iconography to convey his vision of God and man.”
One more lap of the sun brings us closer to another awards season, and we can be sure that some quintessential highlights are on their way to our cinema screens in the next few months. This November’s edition of Camerimage will be the first step in bringing cinematographers and their work into the foreground, showcasing the films and television shows to look out for. By December, our screens will be filled with new releases as the studios and distributors vie for audiences and votes.
The industry will be hyper-focussed on worthy nominees and winners over the coming months, as we debate the virtue of each other’s work and careers. However, before the spotlight turns towards the lucky few, it is only right that we shine a light on the wider community and delve a little deeper into the unsung heroes of the cinematography world…you, the reader.
It goes without saying that the last 18 months have been a test of resilience, for the industry in general and, most significantly, its freelance workforce. The downturn in output combined with the WGA and SAG/AFTRA strikes created a perfect storm of inactivity as the wheels of the global industry ground to a halt. The timing, therefore, of the latest “Looking Glass Survey”, commissioned by the Film and TV Charity, is particularly apt and will provide the industry’s biggest and most robust dataset on the topic of mental health, wellbeing and working conditions.
More than 4,300 industry workers responded to the survey conducted during the summer and, ahead of the publishing of the full report, the headline findings reveal a decline in mental health for many compared to the previous survey in 2022. The data suggests that the current climate in the industry, marked by a growing sense of job insecurity, may be contributing to this decline. The survey results also indicate that issues remain with the industry’s culture, conditions of work, and its capability to support workers; with 64% of those surveyed admitting to considering leaving the industry permanently. The full report will be published in the new year providing a much-needed snapshot into the health of the industry and its practitioners.
Sadly, the start of awards season also brings with it two anniversaries that shouldn’t go unrecognised by the community of cinematography. October 21st marks the third anniversary of the passing of the cinematographer Halyna Hutchins ASC, a Ukrainian-born cinematographer whose life was tragically cut short in 2021. As most readers will be aware, Halyna was killed as the result of negligence and an unsafe working environment whilst shooting a film in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Hutchins’ death highlighted the dangers faced by crew members, particularly in situations where proper safety protocols are not rigorously followed. But her death, and the production that caused it, are not how Halyna should be remembered.
She was only 42 years old; leaving behind motherhood, a promising career and a legacy of beautiful, thought-provoking visual work. As one of American Cinematographer’s Rising Stars of 2019, Hutchins’ career was characterized by her work on independent films on which she brought a unique visual sensitivity, blending artistic ambition with technical precision. To honour her memory, I task you to take a walk-through Halyna’s filmography, revel in her artistry and celebrate her work on films such as Darlin’ (2019) and Blindfire (2020), showcasing her ability to enhance storytelling through evocative, immersive cinematography.
Similarly, November 18th brings about the seventh anniversary of the passing of Mark Milsome Associate BSC. Like Hutchins, Milsome was killed in a fatal accident while working on a film set when a stunt involving a car went terribly wrong. Mark’s death at age 54 sparked conversations about the importance of safety measures, particularly during dangerous stunt sequences, and his passing has been a profound loss to the industry, as he was not only a skilled camera operator but also a mentor to younger filmmakers in the camera department.
In memory of his life and work, the Mark Milsome Foundation was established. The foundation promotes safety training and education for film and television professionals, ensuring that future generations of filmmakers are better equipped to avoid the types of accidents that claimed Milsome’s life. Mark’s legacy of mentorship and advocacy has cemented the Foundation that bears his name as a key figure in pushing for greater accountability and safety standards in the industry.
The deaths of Mark and Halyna, though tragic, instigated long overdue discussions about the safety of film crews and the risks associated with working on set, and have led to improvements in working conditions, safety protocols and have increased knowledge and responsibility for safety across the global filmmaking community.
Halyna Hutchins and Mark Milsome may not have been household names, but their contributions to cinematography and the film industry at large were significant and transformative. They serve as powerful reminders of the importance of safety on film sets and have sparked meaningful changes within the industry. Hutchins and Milsome’s legacies will endure, making them icons whose influence will be felt for generations to come.
Remember their names.
