Biography
Ron Hagen ACS (1947–2002) was an Australian cinematographer whose career spanned news, documentaries, commercials and drama. He began in photography as a cadet at the Sunraysia Daily in Mildura, Victoria, before joining the ABC in Melbourne, where he shot news, current affairs and documentaries. He went freelance in 1981.
Hagen’s first major drama credit was the 1984 television series Special Squad. Subsequent work included Far Country (for which he won a Penguin Award), The Petrov Affair, The Flying Doctors, the first episodes of Mission: Impossible (1988) and Thunderstone. In 1992 he photographed the feature film Romper Stomper, noted for its intense handheld camerawork. Later credits encompassed Heartbreak High (1994), Metal Skin (1994), Ocean Girl, Halifax f.p. (including the ACS Golden Tripod-winning Afraid of the Dark) and Stingers (2000–2002). He retired early owing to ill health and died on 9 September 2002.
