NFTS Alumnus Roger Deakins CBE BSC ASC (Blade Runner 2049, Skyfall, Sicario) came to the school to receive the second annual ‘Sue Gibson Cinematography Award’ and to deliver a masterclass to a packed audience of NFTS Alumni and guests from the industry, including sponsors ARRI and ARRI Rental and the British Society of Cinematographers.
Roger was presented the award for his Oscar-winning work on Blade Runner 2049 and inaugural recipient Charlotte Bruus Christensen (pictured with Roger Deakins above) was on hand to present him with the trophy. The award recognises a member of the NFTS Cinematography Alumni who has advanced the profession of Cinematography in a significant way. Alumna Sue Gibson BSC, after whom the award is named, sadly passed away in 2017 and this is a chance to celebrate her trailblazing work including becoming the first female president of the British Society of Cinematographers.
Over 100 alumni voted for the award and the evening was introduced by NFTS Co-Head of Cinematography, Stuart Harris and NFTS Director, Jon Wardle who paid tribute to Sue and her legacy, as well as the body of work of Roger Deakins. A Q&A with Roger Deakins followed led by Co-head of Cinematography Oliver Stapleton, where Roger commented “I wouldn’t be where I am in the industry without the start I had at the NFTS”. Roger talked about his time at the school and his journey from shooting early music videos to Michael Radford’s 1984 and the Coen Brothers’ Barton Fink, which would lead him to the United States. Talking about the difference of shooting a small budget film and a £200m budget film Roger commented “I don’t really think about the money – in the end it’s the story you are trying to tell and you think from that point of view”.
Roger paid tribute to the other nominees and thanked the NFTS and its alumni family for the award. Milan Krsljanin of ARRI paid tribute to Sue Gibson and Roger Deakins and said that ARRI were delighted to be able to support an evening paying tribute to two great DoPs. Jon Wardle, Director of the NFTS, commented “We are incredibly grateful to both Roger and James Deakins for their support of the school and the encouragement they have given alumni and students. It was a wonderful night to bring the alumni together and celebrate the outstanding work of one of our own”.
Read all about Roger Deakins’ multi-award-winning work on Blade Runner 2049 HERE
