The American Society of Cinematographers announced the nominees for the 2020 ASC Awards this afternoon and there were few surprises among their picks. Likely frontrunner Roger Deakins (“1917”) was joined in the Theatrical Release category by Rodrigo Prieto (“The Irishman”), Robert Richardson (“Once Upon A Time In Hollywood”), Phedon Papamichael (“Ford v Ferrari”) and Lawrence Sher (“Joker”). The nominees almost always lineup with Oscar’s Best Cinematography award considering the duplication between the ASC and the Academy’s Cinematography branch.
READ MORE: Roger Deakins laments the loss of the mid-budget studio drama in today’s studio system
The Spotlight Award nominees are Jarin Blaschke (“The Lighthouse”), Natasha Braier (“Honey Boy”) and Jasper Wolf (“Monos”).
Unfortunate omissions in both categories included Hong Gyeong-Pyo (“Parasite”), Hoyte van Hoytema (“Ad Astra”), Pawel Pogorzelski (“Midsommar”), Mihai Mălaimare Jr. (“Jojo Rabbit”), George Richmond (“Rocketman”), Todd Banhazl (“Hustlers”), Darius Khondji (“Uncut Gems”) and Jörg Widmer (“A Hidden Life”), among others.
Sher, Blaschke, Braier and Wolf are first time nominees. Deakins is a 16-time nominee who has not only won four times but is also a lifetime achievement recipient. Richardson, also a lifetime achievement honoree, earns his 11th nomination, while Papamichael and Prieto each have been recognized three times previously.
The ASC still does not recognize the work of their organization in television or episodic content.
The winners will be announced during a ceremony on Jan 25.
The full list of nominees is as follows:
Theatrical Release
Roger Deakins, ASC, BSC for “1917”
Phedon Papamichael, ASC, GSC for “Ford v Ferrari”
Rodrigo Prieto, ASC, AMC for “The Irishman”
Robert Richardson, ASC for “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood”
Lawrence Sher, ASC for “Joker”
Spotlight Award
Jarin Blaschke for “The Lighthouse”
Natasha Braier, ASC, ADF for “Honey Boy”
Jasper Wolf, NSC for “Monos”