The work was one thing, but it was the bloody people that made it.
Ron Johanson OAM ACS is currently the National President of the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) and is one of the most respected and awarded directors and cinematographers in Australia. [1] He was awarded with the medal of the Order of Australia for services the Arts on 26 January 2014. [2]
He started his career as a camera assistant on the popular TV series Homicide and Hunter. He went freelance, and gained great experience assisting the leading Melbourne cinematographers of the day. Ron then joined Fred Schepisi‘s Film House as an assistant cameraman. Ron returned to Senior Films and was promoted to Director of Photography for 37 episodes of the TV drama series Ryan. [3]
Ron had shot and directed literally hundreds of television commercials, music videos and documentaries and was Director of Photography on the feature film Final Cut produced by Mike Williams. Scott Hicks chose Ron as Director of Photography for his feature film Freedom. He then shot second unit on The Mango Tree and The Odd Angry Shot. [4]
In 1999 was presented with a special Kodak Award for services to the film industry. In 2004 he was inducted into the ACS Hall of Fame and in the same year received the Queensland New Filmmakers Kinetone Award for contribution to the Queensland Film Industry. In 2009 he was inducted into the Queensland Advertising Hall of Fame. Over the years Ron has received numerous awards for his work, including: [5]
- 4 New York Festival International Advertising Awards
- 3 Mobius Awards for Advertising
- 3 Gold ACS Awards (also 1 silver, 1 bronze)
- 2 Cannes Lions
- 2 Golden Tripods
- 1 special ‘Kodak Award’ for services to the film industry
- 1 Queensland New Filmmakers ‘Kinetone Award’
- 1 Order of Australia Medal