The American Society of Cinematographers held their 2013 awards over the weekend, with Roger Deakins winning the major award for his work on Skyfall, upping his chances at the Academy Awards.
Deakins, who has twice won ASC award honors, has never won at the Oscars despite being nominated ten times (typically for Coen brothers films such as No Country for Old Men). Deakins beat out fellow nominees Danny Cohen (Les Miserables), Janusz Kaminski (Lincoln), Seamus McGarvey (Anna Karenina) and Claudio Miranda (Life of Pi), with the only difference in the Oscar nominations being Robert Richardson getting a nomination for Django Unchained in place of Danny Cohen and Les Miserables.
Looking at the nominations, it would seem that Claudio Miranda for Life of Pi is Deakins’ major competition, as he won Cinematography at both the BAFTAs and Critics’ Choice Awards. The real shame here is that, while Life of Pi is undoubtedly gorgeous, it is dominantly a green screen movie. Deakins, meanwhile, brought artistry to the James Bond franchise on a level never seen before, not to mention the fact he’s never won. It would be a shame to see Deakins go another year without an Oscar.
The 85th Academy Awards air Sunday, February 24 at 8 p.m EST/ 5 p.m. PST on ABC.