OPERATE OUTSIDE THE LINES WITH OUR NEW TRX OFF ROAD TRUCK
A Conversation with Bianca Butti By David Daut
A Conversation with Steve Atkin & Simon Harding
Hosted by David Daut
Insights from Pioneering Leaders
Advancing Creative Content Delivery
A Conversation with James Coker, Aaron Cooke, Morgan Kellum, Toré Livia, Jofre Rosero & Chase Smith
Moderated by Gabriel Mays
Recapped by David Daut
ON THE COVER: Annette Bening being filmed for APPLES NEVER FALL by supporting crew. From left, Keith Bainton, A Camera 1st AC; Matt Coulam, Key Grip; Stu Carl, Crane Technician; Damian Kwocksun, A Camera Dolly Grip. Photo by Jasin Boland/ Peacock
Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures
Courtesy of Peacock
Brianna Resuta
Letter from the President
Dear Member:
Hello and happy summer!
The SOC has been in high gear since our hugely successful awards show in February. We’ve already staged hands-on operating workshops in Atlanta and New Jersey, and, back by popular demand, we have a Crane Workshop set for October in Los Angeles, staffed by top camera operators. We also made highimpact appearances at NAB and then Cine Gear, where a panel of our top female unscripted operators held a standing-room-only lecture on the state of their craft before a highly receptive audience.
But because the industry hasn’t found its footing at quite the speed any of us had hoped for, we will bring back free educational events, like our popular Member MixUps, this fall and winter, so look for emails from us regarding those events. We also will be expanding our Wheels Training capacity later this year, both within the LA office and around the country, with additional NODO systems. Huge thanks to Boyd Hobbs of NODO and the SOC members who voluntarily staff these training sessions, ensuring that SOC operators can expand their career opportunities by being fluent on the wheels!
Our Membership Content Portal will also be getting a makeover, with a more intuitive site map for easier navigation and nearly 200 hours of instructional content more accessible than ever.
The SOC Awards will be held on February 15th next year, so save the date. We’re excited to make it the best awards show ever, so look for more details as we lock them down!
It’s an exciting time to be an SOC member and a tricky time to be in SOC leadership. We’re doing our best to balance the speed of our growth with a measured expansion of our activities, all within a fast-changing industry and a topsy-turvy world. I want to personally thank our Board of Governors and our various committee members for giving so generously of their time and energy in the interest of our all-volunteer organization.
Here’s to an amazing summer!
Fraternally,
Matt Moriarty
Matthew Moriarty SOC President
Society of Camera Operators
Board of Governors
OFFICERS
President Matt Moriarty
1st Vice President Mitch Dubin
2nd Vice President David Emmerichs
Secretary Dan Gold
Treasurer John “Buzz” Moyer
Sergeant-at-Arms Gretchen Warthen
BOARD MEMBERS
Dave Chameides
Don Devine
Mitch Dubin
David Emmerichs
Michael Frediani
Dan Gold
Geoffrey Haley
Nikk Hearn-Sutton
Rachael Levine
Sarah Levy
Jim McConkey
Matt Moriarty
John “Buzz” Moyer
Sharra Romany
Gretchen Warthen
COMMITTEES
Awards
Craig Bauer, George Billinger, Dan Gold, Geoff Haley, Bill McClelland, John “Buzz” Moyer, Jan Ruona, Benjamin Spek, Dave Thompson, Rob Vuona
Charities
Brian Taylor, Ryan Campbell
Historical
Mike Frediani
Membership
Dan Gold, Dan Turrett, Gretchen Warthen
Corporate Members
Craig Bauer, George Billinger, Mitch Dubin, Dave Frederick, Simon Jayes, Sarah Levy, Bill McClelland, Jim McConkey, Matt Moriarty, Dan Turrett, David Sammons
Education
Colin Anderson, Will Arnot, Craig Bauer, Bonnie Blake, Dave Chameides, Mitch Dubin, Dave Emmerichs, Mick Froelich, Craig Haagensen, Geoff Haley, Sarah Levy, Simon Jayes, Jim McConkey, Larry McConkey, Matt Moriarty, Jeff Muhlstock, John “Buzz” Moyer, Jamie Silverstein, Dave Thompson, Chris Wittenborn
Technical Standards & Technology
Eric Fletcher (Chair), Andrew Ansnick, William Arnot, Luke Cormack, David Emmerichs, Steve Fracol, Dan Gold, Jamie Hitchcock, Simon Jayes, Doc Karmen, Mark LaBonge, Rocker Meadows, Matthew Moriarty, John Perry, Manolo Rojas, David Sammons, Lisa Stacilauskas, Gretchen Warthen
Camera Operator is a quarterly publication of the Society of Camera Operators
ROLL. TILT. PAN. STICK. LIKE
NEVER BEFORE
INTRODUCING
NEW PROFESSIONAL STEADICAM® WITH 3-AXIS VOLT STABILIZATION
‘‘
For the first time we have a small rig that can truly rival the stability of a full high end system. With the new AXIS we can now make this stability happen electronically. This allows us to operate longer with less weight, without sacrifice.
Neal Bryant SOC
WALK-THRU WITH NEAL
Meet the Crew
Madison Matuszewski
Assistant Coordinator
Meet the Crew introduces you to the SOC team, like Madison Matuszewski, Assistant Coordinator.
My role with the SOC is . . .
As an Assistant Coordinator, I have the pleasure of working with the SOC team in a variety of ways. Some of my work includes putting together communications for our membership, assisting with the SOC Board of Governors and committee meetings, and—perhaps my favorite work—helping the team bring workshops to life.
What do you find most fulfilling when working with the SOC?
It is very fulfilling for me to collaborate with our small and mighty team to bring events and projects to life behind the scenes. I am constantly amazed by the amount of passion and dedication that our team and its membership possess. Since the majority of our work is done remotely, it’s always extremely special when we get to see each other and work together in person. Equally rewarding is getting to see our membership come together for events. We always get such an amazing response from members, whether it be a workshop, a panel or a mixer—it is an extremely rewarding job!
What is your special SOC moment?
I will never forget my first workshop with Executive Director Kristin Petrovich at Cinemoves Movie Ranch in Atlanta working on the Operating Action Workshop with instructors Geoff Haley, SOC; Matthew Petrosky, SOC; and Billy O’Drobinak, SOC. It was very inspiring to watch our dedicated members put their all into every exercise and, at the end of the day, come together as a new group of friends. Of course, I will never forget the encouragement of Geoff, Matt, and Billy to get behind the camera myself, practicing whip pans and following a falling bean bag on the wheels.
Madison practicing operating from a joystick at the Operating Action Workshop
I also had the pleasure of working the recent Cranes & Gimbals Workshop in New Jersey alongside SOC Event Coordinator Kim Fischer with instructors Jim McConkey, SOC; Larry McConkey, SOC; Tom Wills, SOC; and Jeff Muhlstock, SOC, which was a blast. I am always looking forward to the next one!
In my free time, I . . .
When I am not on set or engrossed in a podcast from The Op, created by Dave Chameides, SOC, I am usually surrounded by horses. I grew up horseback riding competitively in Buffalo, NY, and it is still a huge part of my life. I love going out to watch a local show— usually with my camera in hand—or enjoying a casual ride on a sunny day. I also enjoy traveling, seeing new movies, and exploring places with friends.
Where do you see the SOC in another fifty years?
I believe the SOC is only going to continue growing and expanding into something even more impressive than we can imagine. The amount of growth I have seen in the past couple of years alone is astonishing! The development of new education for members, the sense of community, and the demand for more is undeniable, and, with the group of people that are behind it, I have no doubt of what the SOC can achieve in the future.
SOCIETY OF CAMERA OPERATORS EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS
The SOC offers online and in person workshops and learning for members in all categories.
LOG ON TO SOC.ORG FOR EDUCATION OFFERINGS.
Take Two
SOC Instagram Takeover with Neal Bryant, SOC
Produced by Ashlie Sotelo
WATCH THE INSTAGRAM LIVE
NEAL BRYANT, SOC
An SOC Instagram Takeover is an entire week of posts dedicated to a specific camera operator and their work.
It gives the operator a chance to connect with the SOC community and provides the SOC with an avenue to further advance the art and craft of the camera operator.
Neal Bryant, SOC, took over SOC’s Instagram for a week in July. During Neal's takeover, he shared behind the scenes stories of The Last of Us and Barry, his appreciation for dueling steadicam shoots, hard mounting, and his introduction to Steadicam at the age of 16.
Neal's takeover concluded with an Instagram LIVE where he answered questions submitted by the SOC community. He talked about getting started at age 16, camerawork and tech on The Last of Us, navigating feedback and collaboration on set, practicing Steadicam between jobs, and advice for aspiring filmmakers—make something!
Check out SOC’s Instagram @societyofcameraoperators to see the full series of posts, videos, and behind-the-scenes insights and watch the Instagram LIVE.
Neal Bryant, SOC, grew up in an expat family and moved frequently as a kid. With an obsession for movies and TV, he first put on the Steadicam vest at the age of 16 and immediately fell in love. Joining Local 600 as a loader in 2006, Neal worked his way up until committing fully to operating in 2012. His credits include Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; The Afterparty; Barry; and The Last of Us
In 2024, Neal was recognized as Camera Operator of the Year in Television by the Society of Camera Operators. While there are countless people he wishes to thank, in no particular order, Neal credits Steve Taylor; Jeremy Drake; Ron McPherson; Charles Papert; Carl Herse; Eben Bolter ASC, BSC; Ksenia Sereda; his wife Kelly McDevitt; his Mom and Dad; and his cat Don Juan for helping along the way.
Saturday, February 15, 2025 | Loews Hollywood Hotel
Honoree & Nominee Reception | Friday, February 14, 2025
The Society of Camera Operators Awards return to the Loews Hollywood Hotel, for the banquet style ceremony, including a hosted pre reception and after party on Saturday February 15, 2025. New for 2025, the Honoree & Nominee Reception, hosted on Friday, February 14. This evening celebration honors the Nominees, Recipients and the work of our industry in 2025 within a more causal setting.
Challengers Tension and Release
A Conversation with Bianca Butti
By David Daut
In the current cinematic climate, an adult-oriented sports drama centered around tennis as an elaborate metaphor for sexual frustration doesn’t necessarily seem like a surefire hit, and yet Challengers has proven to be a commercial success as well as a critical one, opening at number one in the US box office when it was released this past April.
Bianca Butti shooting CHALLENGERS
Niko Tavernise
Camera Operator had the chance to speak with A camera operator Bianca Butti about working on the film—from the way camera movement underscores the film’s sense of rising tension, to capturing every beat of the carefully choreographed tennis matches.
During the US Open, friends Patrick Zweig and Art Donaldson meet tennis prodigy Tashi Duncan and immediately begin competing for her affection. The pair quickly twists into rivalry both on the court and off before ultimately ending their friendship.
Thirteen years later, Tashi and Art are married; Art is now a fading star ready to quit the game, while Tashi lives her unrealized dreams through Art after an injury put an early end to her career. In the midst of this, Art enters a Challenger event as a wild card where he ends up—once again—competing against Patrick. Challengers is directed by Luca Guadagnino from a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes. It stars Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist.
Zoom
BIANCA BUTTI
Mike Faist as Art and Zendaya as Tashi in CHALLENGERS
Niko Tavernise
Bianca Butti on the set of CHALLENGERS
Niko Tavernise
Bianca Butti shooting CHALLENGERS
Zendaya as Tashi and Josh O’Connor as Patrick in CHALLENGERS
Apples Never Fall Performance-Driven Operating
A Conversation with Steve Atkin & Simon Harding
Hosted by David Daut
Apples Never Fall, Peacock’s limited series thriller about a family unraveling in the wake of their mother’s disappearance, comes on the heels of Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers as the third major television series to be adapted from Liane Moriarty’s novels. While the action of the story has been relocated from the novel’s original setting of Australia to West Palm Beach Florida, the series itself was primarily an Australian production, shooting mostly in Queensland.
Steve Atkin & Simon Harding filming a tennis scene with Oscar Millar in APPLES NEVER FALL. Photo courtesy of Peacock
WATCH THE TRAILER
Multimedia Feature
For this Camera Operator video feature, we were able to talk to A camera and B camera operator Steve Atkin and A camera and Steadicam operator Simon Harding about working on the series, from the physical challenge of shooting the show—more than 95% handheld—to the more nuanced task of working alongside the series’ ensemble cast to allow performance to guide the movement of the camera.
Following a long career as tennis players, coaches, and owners of a tennis school, the Delaneys are well-known and respected in their community of West Palm Beach, Florida. Behind closed doors, however, there is deep dysfunction between Joy and Stan Delaney and their four semi-estranged children. When Joy goes missing under mysterious circumstances, these dysfunctions bubble up to the surface, exposing deep wounds and mistrust as the search for a missing person steadily progresses into an investigation of a suspected murder. Apples Never Fall is based on the novel by Liane Moriarty and is developed by Melanie Marnich. The limited series stars Annette Bening, Sam Neill, Jake Lacy, Conor Merrigan-Turner, Essie Randles, Georgia Flood, Jeanine Serralles, Dylan Thuraisingham, and Alison Brie.
the set of APPLES NEVER FALL
Simon Harding shooting a pool scene in APPLES NEVER FALL On
Courtesy of Peacock
Courtesy of Peacock
Filming Alison Brie, Essie Randles, & Conor Merrigan-Turner in APPLES NEVER FALL
Shooting a scene with Sam Neill in APPLES NEVER FALL
Courtesy of Peacock
Courtesy of Peacock
Focus on Cine+Live
Insights from Pioneering Leaders Advancing Creative Content Delivery
A Conversation with James Coker, Aaron Cooke, Morgan Kellum, Toré Livia, Jofre Rosero & Chase Smith Moderated by Gabriel Mays & Recapped by David Daut
The Focus on Cine+Live panel, from left: Gabriel Mays (moderator), Aaron Cooke, Jofre Rosero, Toré Livia, James Coker, Morgan Kellum & Chase Smith
Claire Orpeza Lee
Where once a hard line stood dividing film from television and broadcast from cinema, the rapid advancement of filmmaking technology over the last few decades has caused that line to blur.
These days, many of the biggest live events employ techniques and visual language that have traditionally been more associated with scripted, narrative filmmaking, pushing these broadcasts to become more cinematic in style and aesthetic.
But even as these lines have blurred, the actual work that goes into shooting these events remains distinct from the world of narrative film and television as the images being captured often don’t come with the benefit of a second take.
On Monday, April 15, the NAB Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, hosted the Focus on Cine+Live conversation featuring a panel of professionals who have worked on some of the biggest live events of the last several years, including the Super Bowl Halftime Show; Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour concert film; Billie Eilish’s performance at the 2024 GRAMMYs; the Crunchyroll Anime Awards; The Weeknd: Live at SoFi Stadium; Amazon Music Live; and Apple Music Live.
Making up the panel were James Coker, a co-founder and head of technical development at Funicular Goats; Aaron Cooke, executive producer and CEO of Digital Cinema Collective as well as partner at Funicular Goats; Morgan Kellum, co-founder of Digital Cinema Collective and COO of Funicular Goats; camera operators Toré Livia and Jofre Rosero; and director of photography Chase Smith. The conversation was moderated by Gabriel Mays, Director of Rental at AbelCine. Read the story here on SOC.org
Camera operator Sean Flannery, assisted by Steadi Utility Drory Yellin, shooting H.E.R at the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show
Brianna Resuta
Camera operator Toré Livia shooting the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show starring Usher
Brianna Resuta
Camera operators Kary D‘Alessandro (left) & Keyan Safyari working the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show
Brianna Resuta
Filming hosts Sally Amaki & Jon Kabira live at the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards
Brianna Resuta
Camera operator Jofre Rosero preparing for the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards
Morgan Kellum
Camera operator Allen Merriweather working the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show
Brianna Resuta
Get Down to Business
New York City is the unrivaled media capital of the world. It’s where cultures, creativity and commerce converge to redefine broadcast, media and entertainment. NAB Show New York is your connection point to it all. Here, innovation is discovered, ideas are shared and connections flourish. Join industry leaders, innovators and influencers to foster collaborations that spark new possibilities and propel careers forward.
OCTOBER 9–10, 2024
CARAGH FITZSIMMONS, SOC
I started working in the camera department in 1996 as a film loader and have worked my way up through the ranks over the years. I have been operating for five years.
What was one of your most challenging shots or challenging days in the industry?
Most challenging shots or days are often on huge stunt-heavy 2nd Units, getting the shot when you only have one chance. Helicopters, snow, explosions, cars crashing, people flying— movie magic!
What is the job you have yet to do, but most want to do?
I have yet to DP a movie. That’s next my next dream to realize.
Credits: Peter Pan & Wendy (2023); Sonic the Hedgehog (2020); SaintX (2023); Resident Alien (2022); Bad Genius (2024)
MARTIN KITCHEN, SOC
I’ve been in the industry for 15 years and have loved every moment. Started off making tea and coffee, then camera assistant, and for the past five years I've been a Steadicam operator. It’s a passion that I’m incredibly proud to have turned into a full-time career.
What was one of your most challenging moments?
I really enjoy working on live music. Recently, I worked with Justin Timberlake and his team on a one-shot music project. The experience was challenging, with many moving parts, and after several days of rehearsals, we had to perform live. The adrenaline rush afterward was incredible. Top-notch team.
What is your most memorable day in the industry?
A 45-minute-long live show for Vogue magazine. We only got to see the whole show twice before we went live…what could go wrong?
What is the job you have yet to do, but most want to do?
Super Bowl Halftime Show. I will do it one day.
Credits: Squid Game: The Challenge; Eurovision; Good Intentions; Vogue World 2024; Apple Music Live: Burna Boy
Paloma
Alegria
ITS: Insights,Tips & Stories
Video excerpts from SOC Active members sharing personal insights into camera operating, tips learned during their careers, and stories from the set.
Operating Live vs Episodic
Camera operator John Densmore, SOC, compares operating live to operating episodic.
Creative Freedon as an Operator
Camera operator Mick Froehlich, SOC, examines creative freedom as a camera operator when working with both the DP and director.
How the Camera Conveys Emotion
Camera operator Mitch Dubin, SOC, speaks about how the camera conveys emotion to the audience.
Building Confidence on Set
Camera operator Gretchen Warthen, SOC, talks about all the things that can build confidence on set.
The Society offers different levels of membership for individuals and manufacturers in the production community – Active, Associate, Educator, Student and Corporate.
• The Secret Life of the Camera Head As an SOC member you gain access to the membership portal with over 150+ hours of content including:
• Camera Operating Lecture Series
• SOC Creative Spotlights
• Health & Well Being Series
• Inspirational Roundtables
• Making the Transition from NonScriped to Narrative
