Balazs is an award winning cinematographer with over 25 years experience in all genres, but mainly working in Features, High End TV and commercials. Balazs is a member of both the Hungarian Cinematographers Association (HCA) and the British Society of Cinematographers (BSC).

Hungarian born, though raised in the home counties of England, Balazs was drawn towards cinematography through the love of photography, likely to have been hereditary being been born into a family of photographers. His foray into the film industry came through the good fortune of being involved with graduation films at the NFTS and the London Film School while still a teenager, … which led him to assisting and subsequently focus pulling.

While attempting to build a career as part of a camera crew, Balazs also started shooting short films and music videos eventually ending up at the doors of the London College of Printing to gain some formal training escaping the academic lure of studying Physics at Cambridge. A Batchelor of Science degree seemed a good way to get some much-needed letters after one’s name … a favoured trend in cinematographers one noticed, though rather naively at the time.

Balazs completed his education at the National Film School and ventured into the world as a fledgling cinematographer landing his first feature film, “Fakers” in 2003. After shooting a few independent feature films, Balazs shot a few episodes of the BBC series “Hustle” in 2004 and as a result it set the seeds of a career trajectory shooting high-end television dramas.

Through “Life on Mars” (BBC), Balazs met SJ Clarkson and has successively teamed uP with her on a number of television and feature projects; “Mistresses”, “Whitechapel”, “Hunted”, “Toast”, “Collateral”, “Game of Thrones Prequel”, “ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL” building a durable creative bond and partnership.

PHOTO CREDIT: STEFANIA ROSINI

Balazs was proposed for BSC membership in 2013 by Phil Meheux BSC, who has been a mentor and a guiding influence to him, HAVING met during a night shoot in 1998 at Blenheim Palace, while still at film school.

Rekindling his connection to Hungary, and through a humbling moment, Balazs was invited to join the HSC in 2009 and received his membership from Vilmos Zsigmond and Lajos Koltai.

Balazs has been nominated twice for a BAFTA, as well as the ASC award, while winning an ASC Award in 2012 for his work on HBO’s “Hunted” series.

AWARDS & NOMINATIONS

COLLATERAL

Nominated
BAFTA Award for TELEVISION (FICTION): Photography, 2019

HARLEY & THE DAVIDSONS

Nominated
ASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography, 2016

HUNTED

Winner
ASC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography, 2013

Nominated
BAFTA Award for TELEVISION (FICTION): Photography, 2013

Nominated
Gold Panda Award for Best Photography in a Miniseries, 2013

TOAST

Nominated
HSC Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography Award, 2011

IT’S ALL GONE PETE TONG

Nominated
Achievement in Cinematography, Genie Awards, ACCT, 2006

Winner
Best Feature Film, GEN ART Film Festival, New York 2005
Best Feature Film, HBO Comedy Arts Festival, Aspen 2005
Best Canadian Feature Film, Toronto Film Festival 2004

FRESH MEAT

Nominated
RTS Award for Best Scripted Comedy, 2012
Winner
Best Comedy Programme British Comedy Awards, 2011

LIFE ON MARS 2

winner
EMMY® Award for Best Drama Series, 2008

LIFE ON MARS

winner
Audience Pioneer Award, BAFTA, 2007
Best Drama Series, Broadcast Awards, 2007
Best New Programme, Broadcast Awards, 2007
EMMY® Award for Best Drama Series, 2006
Best Continuing Series, BANFF World Television Awards, 2006

THE CHOIR

winner
Best Short, Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (Academy Accredited), 2003
Official Selection Tribeca Festival New York, 2003
BAFTA (Scotland) Best Short Film & TV Craft, 2002
BAFTA (Scotland) Best Short Film Director, 2002

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