At the end of January, BAFTA will be opening the doors to its historic Piccadilly headquarters to showcase a new photography exhibition. British photographer Phil Fisk was commissioned to shoot BAFTA: For the Love of Film, a series of portraits of the skilled professionals working in the industry today.
While the cream of British acting and directing sits for Fisk – including David Oyelowo and Stephen Frears – he digs deeper and pays tribute to the essential cinematic talent behind the camera whose contributions aren’t celebrated as widely. Fisk shoots them in their working environment, giving us an insight into the numerous roles involved in pulling a feature film together.
Fisk shoots cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Interstellar, Spectre) with his camera casually slung atop his shoulder; casting director Nina Gold (The King’s Speech, The Imitation Game) is pictured with a pair of pom-poms made from the shredded remains of actor’s headshots; and we see production designer Jacqueline Abrahams (The Lobster, The Look of Love) inside her office, with reference books, magazine cut-outs and call sheets scattered on desks or plastered on walls.
The exhibition is part of BAFTA’s celebrations in the run-up to the EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 14th February, and the images will be included in the official awards brochure given to guests at the ceremony.
In addition to the photography collection, a programme of events and talks are being offered to allow visitors an opportunity to learn more about the various departments and disciplines featured, as well as a chance to hear from Fisk.
The BAFTA 195 Piccadilly exhibition is free to enter and open to the public on Saturday 30 January and Sunday 31 January from 10.00 to 17.00 daily. Advance bookings can be made online: www.bafta.org/whats-on/for-the-love-of-film-exhibition
