Gold Award for Outstanding Cinematography in a feature Film ("The Spitfire Grill")
On Saturday November 1st, I was one of three Cinematographers to receive the Gold Award for Feature Film Cinematography at the 1997 NSW State Awards of the Australian Cinematographers Society.

Also receiving the Gold Award were Andrew Lesnie, ACS for "Doing Time With Patsy Cline" and Peter James, ACS for "Paradise Road".

All three will now gain automatic nomination for the National Awards to be held in Sydney in May 1998.

WINNIPEG "Trucks"
A few weeks back I completed Principal Photography on "Trucks", a Steven King TeleFeature Directed by Chris Thomson for USA Network. Set at a truck stop in the Arizona desert the film is about a group of trucks who terrorize the unfortunate people happening to be there at the same time.

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VANCOUVER "Unwed Father" Airs October 12th - ABC

Another Michael Switzer show. "Unwed Father" shot in Vancouver and stars Brian Austin-Green. The lives of two teenagers are thrown into chaos with the unexpected, and unwanted arrival, of a third family member. Painted against the backdrop of a Rock band and the collision course of parents and children, the film portrays the chaos created when the tables are turned on the male partner.

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NORTH CAROLINA "Best Friends For Life"
Starring Gena Rowlands, Linda Lavin and Richard Farnsworth....Directed by Michael Switzer.

Some production photos

Location Scout left no stone unturned.	Mike Switzer carefully frames one up
Production designer concentrates on the details.	McCulloch, gaffer; Gilmore, key grip; Draper, DP

1997 ASC Award Nomination
What Love Sees the David Rosemont Produced, Michael Switzer Directed, Tele-Feature, was Nominated for Outstanding Cinematography at this year's American Society of Cinematographers' Awards.

This was my third nomination in the 11 years of the Awards.

What Love Sees is set in the 40's and 50's and tells the true story of two young people overcoming incredible obstacles to build a life for themselves and raise a family.

The young woman (Annabeth Gish), protected and coming from a priveliged Connecticut family and a farmer (Richard Thomas) working a run-down ranch in Southern California. The catch...they were both blind.

The film has a strong period look contrasting a cooler, softer, pastel feel for the East Coast Winter playing against a brown, hard edged and contrasty feel for California.

The visual style was developed following the images of 50's Life magazines and Norman Rockwell in the East and the harder, lonelier images of Edward Hopper in the West.

The Awards were held on Feb 23rd at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and whilst I did not win, being nominated by my peers was a great reward in itself.


The Spitfire Grill
Coninues its enchanted life worldwide with a successful run in Australia playing to appreciative audiences and great reviews.

Visit "The Spitfire Grill" on the Grill's very own website at http://www.spitfiregrill.com