Camera Operator Lifetime Achievement Award

Don Devine, SOC

Don Devine’s love for filmmaking began early, with home movies shot with his dad’s Super 8 camera and populated with his five siblings and family pets. While going to college, he began working part-time at Film Surgeons, an editing facility owned by Peter and Kay Verity. After several years of amiable mentoring and a variety of opportunities, Don went to work for Avery/ Tirce Productions as a production assistant where he had the good fortune to be taken under the wing of a generous camera assistant, Doug Davis. When the company closed, Don took a leap of faith and began the arduous and unpredictable task of freelancing as a camera assistant.

With the encouragement and recommendations from people he had met along the way, he eventually began to assist some wonderful Directors of Photography like Russell Carpenter, ASC and Fred Murphy, ASC. Don and Fred worked together on The Trip to Bountiful, Hoosiers, and Best Seller. But Don always knew that he wanted to operate, and it was his first collaboration with Shelly Johnson, ASC that launched his career as an operator. Shelly took his own leap of faith and hired a very green, but enthusiastic operator. That decision led to a partnership that has lasted over thirty years, and includes such projects as Jurassic Park 3, Hidalgo, The House Bunny, Sky High, and Greyhound. Around the same time, Don began another life-long collaboration and lasting friendship with Jeffrey Jur, ASC who was also looking to use an operator for the first time.

Together, he and Jeff have worked on The Big Picture, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Joy Ride, and Panic

Don’s work as an operator has given him the opportunity to work with an array of extremely talented and inspiring DP’s and the chance to work on a diverse collection of wonderful projects. Kramer Morgenthau, ASC, Christopher Manley, ASC, Enrique Chediak, ASC, David Franco, Darran Tiernan, and Carl Herse have all put their trust in Don to operate on great shows like The Express, Fracture, Chef, Mad Men, Lady and the Tramp, Perry Mason, and Barry.

SOC Awards

Camera Operator of the Year for Television recipient: Mad Men (2014)

Camera Operator of the Year for Television nominee: Perry Mason (2021)

Camera Operator of the Year for Film nominee: Greyhound (2021)