Fabian Wagner


Fabian Wagner is a German cinematographer.
His roles in the production of the television shows Sherlock and Game of Thrones have earned him two Creative Arts Emmy Award nominations. In 2017 and 2020 respectively, he won the American Society of Cinematographers Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Regular Series for his work on the Game of Thrones episode "Battle of the Bastards" and for his work on season 3 of The Crown.

Early life

Wagner was born in Munich, West Germany.
He studied at the Northern Film School in Leeds, earning a master's degree.

Career

Wagner began first shooting music videos and short films. In 2008, he began working regularly on television shows for BBC and ITV, and since then has been working almost exclusively for British and American film companies. His first role as a cinematographer for a TV show was for the 2008 BBC Three drama series Spooks: Code 9, for which he filmed all six episodes.
He has also been nominated for ASC and BSC awards and has become one of the youngest members of the British Society of Cinematographers.
In 2017, Wagner became involved with the DC live-action adaptation of the Justice League, directed by Zack Snyder. The production was notoriously plagued with problems, most notably its change of directors. During post-production, Snyder stepped down from the production following his daughter's death, with Joss Whedon stepping in to, not only complete the project, but also to redo the film entirely. Wagner wasn't involved on the reshoots conducted by Whedon, with Jean-Philippe Gossart taking over the role. Despite only 10% of his material being used in the theatrical cut, Wagner received sole for the film.
In 2020, after Warner Bros. decided to greenlit a director's cut of the movie, Snyder and Wagner were brought back to finish the film, using not only the existing and unused footage, but also filming additional material that hasn't been conceptualized before. The "Snyder Cut" was released on HBO Max in 2021.

Filmography

Television

TV movies
YearTitleDirector
2010PulseJames Hawes
2011Frankenstein's Wedding... Live in LeedsColin Teague
2015Make Your Face Funny for Money: The MechanicsSarah O'Gorman
2015Make Your Face Funny for Money... With Make-UpSarah O'Gorman
2015Churchill's SecretCharles Sturridge

Awards and nominations

American Society of Cinematographers
YearCategoryTitleEpisodeResultRef.
2015Best Cinematography in Regular SeriesGame of Thrones"Mockingbird"Nomitated
2016Best Cinematography in Regular SeriesGame of Thrones"Hardhome"Nomitated
2017Best Cinematography in Regular SeriesGame of Thrones"Battle of the Bastards"Won
2021Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in an Episode
of a One-Hour Television Series – Non-Commercial		The Crown"Imbroglio"Won

British Society of Cinematographers
YearCategoryTitleEpisodeResultRef.
2015Best Cinematography in a Television DramaGame of Thrones"Hardhome"Nomitated
2016Best Cinematography in a Television DramaGame of Thrones"The Winds of Winter"Nomitated
2022Best Cinematography in a Television DramaHouse of the Dragon"The Heirs of the Dragon"Nomitated

AACTA Awards
YearCategoryTitleEpisodeResultRef.
2014Best Cinematography in TelevisionMrs Biggs"Episode 3"Nomitated

Creative Arts Emmy Awards
YearCategoryTitleEpisodeResultRef.
2012Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or MovieSherlock"A Scandal in Belgravia"Nomitated
2015Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or MovieGame of Thrones"Hardhome"Nomitated

OFTA Television Awards
YearCategoryTitleResult
2012Best Cinematography in a Non-SeriesSherlockWon
2014Best Cinematography in a SeriesGame of ThronesWon

Toronto After Dark Film Festival
YearCategoryTitleResult
2018Best CinematographyOverlordWon