May / 2002

Joan Hutton csc
THE FUJI AWARD
In recognition of extraordinary contributions to the CSC

2002 Fuji Award: Joan Hutton csc, presented by Graeme Parcher, sales manager of motion picture products for Fuji Photo Film Canada. Photo: John Narvali

When Joan Hutton csc was elected president of the CSC, she became the first woman to hold that office since the Society was founded in 1957, Graeme Parcher, sales manager of motion picture products for Fuji Photo Film Canada, told the CSC Awards Gala in presenting the 2002 Fuji Award.

“It was not her first ‘first’ during her award-winning career in cinematography, in which she has faced every challenge with hard work, intelligence and resolve. She was the first woman to receive full membership in the CSC in recognition of her photographic achievements in drama, documentaries and commercials, and before that she was one of only a handful of female camera assistants in the whole of Canada.”

Joan once recollected for the CSC News that “‘when I started out as a camera assistant in 1974, I never thought it would be possible for me to shoot. I didn’t think the system would allow that to happen, that it wasn’t a job a woman could ever find work in. I was one of the first women camera assistants and that was difficult enough.’”

Joan persevered and became one of the first female camerapersons in the country. Through her partnership with Paul Jay at High Road Productions she built up an impressive body of shooting work and a few awards along the way. She has won a Gemini and three CSC Awards, plus the honour and gratification of being director of photography for several hit TV documentaries and series.

She has carried the same professional and meticulous work behind the camera to her work with the CSC. She has always been dedicated to the success of the Society, partly because one of her friends and heroes was the late Fritz Spiess csc, one of the Society’s founders and a lifelong pillar of support and counsel.

As one of the CSC’s longest-serving presidents, Joan has shown a gift for organization, decision and delegation. She recognized early the need for a strong CSC magazine, CSC Awards gala and administrative efficiency, and she went out and found the professionals to help make it happen. She has surrounded herself with key people on her executive, people she can rely on to keep the Society strong and flexible. She leads her team quietly but firmly in pursuit of her ongoing goals — a balanced budget, the advancement of cinematography through demonstration and education, and the exploration of innovation and growth.

Fritz Spiess once noted for the CSC News that although there were no women in the early Society, the By-Laws specified that in all wording “the masculine shall include the feminine” to embrace the possibility of women members in the future. He said he mentioned this in tribute to current women members, particularly Joan Hutton.

“How proud Fritz would be tonight as we honour another one of Joan’s firsts. I am pleased to present the 2002 Fuji Award to Joan Hutton in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the CSC.”

“This is a great honour,” Joan said in accepting the Fuji Award. “I am proud to serve as our Society’s president, and it has been a privilege over the years to have worked on the executive with so many supportive friends and colleagues. They have taught me much.

“I remember the very first CSC meeting I attended when I was a young and shy camera assistant. I was the only woman among about 30 men and I sat in a corner and tried to become invisible. But then Jim Mercer came up to me and urged me to get up and mingle.

“Getting involved, he said, is the best way to get to know people and to get jobs. He was right, of course. To get the most out of life, you have to get involved, you have to contribute. I never expected my involvement with the CSC would lead me to this award, and I am deeply grateful for the acknowledgement of my peers.”

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