ASC Winner

[Sabin]

If it's a case of vote splitting, then Deakins would have a better shot at winning the Oscar for No Country than Jesse James.

That's always been the case. A more likable, accessible film operating within tighter genre confines will more often than not always triumph. That's one of the main reasons why Deakins has failed to win an Oscar up until now. The minute I saw 'There Will Be Blood', I knew it was Elswitt's.

[Heksagon]

Yes, but that usually (not always, but usually) has been because ASC have awarded a film that has received fewer Oscar nominations in total, and the Academy have preferred a film that has received more Oscar nominations in all categories. Furthermore, Deakins is an ASC favourite. You would expect Jesse James to have had its strongest showing here.

If it's a case of vote splitting, then Deakins would have a better shot at winning the Oscar for No Country than Jesse James.

[OscarGuy]

This might actually BE a case of vote splitting. Two Deakins films that appeal to different groups of voters...

[Jim20]

That can be seen as almost a good thing for Deakins, as the ASC winner usually doesn't win the Oscar. There are exceptions, of course.

Elswit's win is deserved, though.

[OscarGuy]

Robert Elswit - There Will Be Blood