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Scholarship supports future of cinematography

Press release from Griffith University

ABC and Griffith University last night announced the inaugural recipient of the ABC John Bean Memorial Scholarship for Cinematography.

The scholarship was established in memory of Griffith University alumnus and ABC cameraman John Bean, who died tragically in a helicopter accident last year.

Griffith Film School student, 21-year-old Brian Loewe was presented with the $10,000 scholarship, which will also include an intensive four-week internship with the ABC News camera crew.

ABC Acting State Director David Busch expressed gratitude to the Film School in what he described as a creative and meaningful partnership for the betterment of the media industry.

“This scholarship will both honour the wonderful memory of a respected cameraman committed to excellence in his craft and encourage upcoming students to likewise tell their stories using the highest quality of visual.”

Brian, who is currently in his first year of a Master of Screen Production, said he was thrilled to have the opportunity to be a small part of a news organisation with such heritage.

“Being able to learn from the best in their environment and draw from their experience will be fantastic.”

While Brian has had a lifetime love and talent for visual arts, he credits the Lord of the Rings trilogy with igniting his interest in the film industry.

He applied to the Griffith Film School on the back of its reputation but he admits he was naïve about just where the industry could take him.

“The school has opened my eyes to a whole host of important roles that I had never considered and has allowed me to try my hand at each one so I could really hone my skills and decide which was best for me.”

In conjunction with his Masters and the scholarship, Brian will continue to work as a freelance camera operator and will shortly embark on his first feature-length project, which he describes as a “Western Zom-Com”.

Professor Herman Van Eyken, Head of the Griffith Film School believes the scholarship is a wonderful initiative by the ABC and a lasting tribute to John Bean.

“John dedicated considerable time over many years to encouraging students to pursue excellence in the specialist field of cinematography.

“It is fitting that Brian will now have the opportunity to work closely alongside John’s colleagues to further his passion and professionalism behind the camera.”

John Bean was one of the ABC’s most respected camera operators with two decades of experience with the national broadcaster. His tragic death in a helicopter crash at Lake Eyre on 18th August 2011, which also killed ABC reporter Paul Lockyer and pilot Gary Ticehurst, shook not only the ABC family but all in the industry.

The scholarship was officially presented last night fittingly alongside the Queensland launch of The Shadowcatchers – a photographic history of Australian cinematography by Martha Ansara. The book provides an insider’s view of the creative and passionate people who have driven the country’s film-making exploring the customs, attitudes and relationships and the tremendous social and technological changes of the past 110 years.

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