HBO's 'Boardwalk' tops ASC TV noms

HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" led the TV nominations for the American Society of Cinematographers' 26th annual Outstanding Achievement Awards competition with lensers David Franco and Jonathan Freeman among the five nominees for one-hour episodic television. They were nominated for the "To the Lost" and "21" episodes, respectively. Rounding out the field were David Katznelson for the pilot of PBS' "Downtown Abbey," John Lindley for ABC's "Pan Am" pilot and David Stockton for the "Narco Part 2" episode of NBC's "Chase." For movie/miniseries, the contenders are Ed Lachman (HBO's "Mildred Pierce"), Kevin Moss (Showtime's "Chicago Overcoat"), David Moxness (for the "Moral Issues and Inner Turmoil" segment of ReelzChannel's "The Kennedys"), Martin Ruhe (PBS' "Page Eight") and Wojciech Szepel (Episode 2 of PBS' "Any Human Heart"). In the newly created half-hour episodic series or pilot category, James Bagdonas ("Bixby's Back" from ABC's "Modern Family"), Michael Balfry ("Brush with Madness" for the Hub's "R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour"), Vanja Cernjul, ("Forget the Herring" from HBO's "Bored to Death"), Levie Isaacks ("Acceptance" from ABC's "Man Up") and Michael Weaver ("Suicide Solution" from Showtime's "Californication") will vie for top honors. "Narrowing down the field to these nominees was a tough task given the tremendous quality of work being done," said ASC prexy Michael Goi. "Innovation and technology has raised the bar for television viewers, and these nominees' imagery more than meets a new standard." The awards ceremony will be held Feb. 12 at the Hollywood & Highland Grand Ballroom. Contact Steve Chagollan at steve.chagollan@variety.com