To date, only a small group of elite technicians have received accreditation from the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS). An even smaller percentage (5.6%) are women. Out of these women at the top of their field, seven are AFTRS alumnae, while Carolyn Constance brings her expertise to AFTRS as a teacher for the Industry Certificate: Camera Assisting.
Graduating between 1986 and 2007, the alumnae have gone onto work on projects ranging from filming Prince touring the globe, to The Handmaid’s Tale. Many, like Nicola Daley (Master of Arts: Film, Television and Digital Media – Cinematography, 2004), Bonnie Elliott (Master of Arts: Film, Television and Digital Media – Cinematography, 2006) and Tania Lambert (Master of Arts: Film and Television – Cinematography, 2008), discovered cinematography whilst pursuing other passions in film. All cite being drawn to cinematography’s opportunities for innovation and creativity, which, alongside demonstrating a minimum number of years working in the industry and an impressive catalogue of work, are prerequisites for ACS accreditation.
The achievements of these women are showcased in a recent Screen Australia article. In this, Jane Castle (Bachelor of Arts: Film & Television – Cinematography, 1986) muses on the excitement of being “at the epicentre of a film set.” This is echoed by AFTRS tutor Carolyn Constance, who expresses, “it is a career where you are never bored.”
The full list of AFTRS women with ACS accreditation:
- Jane Castle (Bachelor of Arts (Film & Television) Cinematography, 1986)
- Leilani Hannah (Master of Arts (Film & Television) Cinematography, 2000)
- Velinda Wardell (Master of Arts: Film, Television and Digital Media – Cinematography, 2005)
- Nicola Daley (Master of Arts: Film, Television and Digital Media – Cinematography, 2004)
- Bonnie Elliott (Master of Arts: Film, Television and Digital Media – Cinematography, 2006)
- Zoë White (Master of Arts: Film and Television – Cinematography, 2008)
- Tania Lambert (Master of Arts: Film and Television – Cinematography, 2008)
- Carolyn Constantine (Teaches the Industry Certificate: Camera Assisting)