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Greetings!
The SOC is a volunteer organization. It relies completely on the efforts of its members to carry out the work of presenting workshops and events, screenings and fund-raisers so that the goals of educating our members, advancing the role of the camera operator, and supporting our charity can be achieved. The Society needs the time and energy of dedicated SOC members to be successful. The Board of Governors is the organizing body and driving force of the SOC. Every two years in February, we must elect a new Board of Governors. The time has come to undertake this important task once again.
Dan Gold, SOC
Newsletter editor
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 Call For Nominations to the SOC Board of Governors 21 Board Members Needed
All Active Members, Active Charter Members, and Retired Active Members in good standing are eligible for nomination and election to the Board of Governors. Any eligible member may nominate himself or be nominated by any other eligible member. A member may make more than one nomination. Nominations should be submitted by email to President Dan Kneece, SOC at dankneece@mac.com. Please write "Nominations" in the subject line. Once the list of nominees is verified a written ballot will be mailed out to each active member who then votes his choices for the 21-member board. Please make your nominations now. The deadline for nominations is midnight February 23, 2011. |
Meet The Recipients
SOC Lifetime Achievement Awards
The 2011 SOC Lifetime Achievement Awards Gala was held on February 5th at Warner Brothers Studios. It was a smashing success. Members of the SOC graciously acknowledged the achievements of their peers and generously supported the
important work of their charity, the Vision Center at Children's Hospital, Los Angeles.
Camera Operator of the Year Feature Film Colin Anderson, SOC (left) Television David Frederick, SOC (right) Congratulations to all the other nominees for Camera Operator of the Year. Feature Film Peter Rosenfeld, SOC, Stephen Campanelli, SOC, Scott Sakamoto, SOC and Geoffrey Haley Television Tony Gaudioz, Greg Collier, SOC, Doc Karman and Guy Skinner, SOC Lifetime Achievement Awards  | | Camera Technician Alan Disler |
 | | Camera Operator Michael Ferris, SOC |
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| | Still Photographer David James |
 | | Mobile Camera Platform Operator Peter Romano, ASC |
 | Local 80 President Russ Norstedt accepted the President's Award
from SOC President Dan Kneece
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 | David Mahlmann, SOC produced the SOC Gala
photo by Matt Turve
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 | Vision Center Dr. Natalia Uribe, Dr. Thomas C.Lee,
and Bonnie Blake, SOC - photo by Matt Turve |
 | Distinguished Service Award Recipient
Frank Kay |
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 Order SOC Photos
See All The Photographs From The SOC Gala
You can view more photos of the 2011 SOC Lifetime Achievement Awards Gala and order copies for yourself at www.mathewimaging.com.
Your photo purchases help support the SOC. |
Women In Film Workshop
Panavision Hosts SOC / WIF Workshop
by Georgia Packard, SOC
 | | Vice President Bonnie Blake, SOC and President Dan Kneece, SOC take part in the training. Photo by Jessica Lopez |
Women In Film and the Society of Camera Operators rang in the 2011 New Year with their first operator workshop on January 15th, sponsored by Panavision Inc. of Woodland Hills. The event started with an active female panel then moved to the hands-on-demo. Georgia Packard and Moderator Michelle Crenshaw spearheaded this informative event to discuss the roles of women as operators and camera technicians behind the lens. WIF directors and producers attended this workshop to learn the benefits of hiring a camera operator and how this impacts their productions. For many this was a unique opportunity to have hands-on experience operating the gear head, learning the dynamics of an efficient camera crew and utilizing JL Fisher dolly and track. Thank you to all participants and sponsors for making this such a successful event! "It was great seeing you and listening to you at the SOC panel. I felt my batteries were recharged! All of you motivated me so much. Thank you!" Hilda Mercado, cinematographer |
 | Neil Toussaint,
A-camera operator on TV's "Chuck" |
Operating Tip Of The Month
Neil Toussaint Has Advice
From the set of TV show "Chuck", A-camera operator Neil Toussaint has a useful method for keeping your eye in the eyepiece.
As an operator in the early stages of my career (5 years in) I find that learning as many tips and tricks as you can to accelerate the learning curve is invaluable. When you first move up, you have a "target" on your back. a new operator needs to achieve as much usable footage as possible...call this a probation period. You have to get in and get the shots with minimal fanfare and hiccups. Generally speaking, you will be on a Pee Wee Dolly thus not attached to the arm for booms. How you achieve smooth shots with the arm moves can be a challenge. I stumbled upon a technique that allows me to stay seated during large boom moves up or down that I still use today even though I am now on a Hustler IV dolly.
On "Chuck" we use Arri 416 Super 16 Cameras. Because of the design of the optics and back-mounted mag, the eyepiece isn't as accessible as on a Panaflex. The trick I employ is to leave the eyepiece leveler unlocked or loose and let the eyepiece rest on my eye socket. As the camera booms up and down, the eyepiece is always in the perfect operating position. This trick is especially useful when operating with a fluid head. It also leaves both my hands free to operate the shot. A lot of times on the fluid head, I am using my left hand to ride the tilt brake to smooth out transitions. It allows me to sit for 90% of my shots. A majority of good operating comes from being comfortable and in the optimal position to execute the shot. Now, as one of our assistants on "Chuck" pointed out, I didn't invent this technique. He called it,"The Billy Nielsen." I don't care what it's called, it's part of my bag of tricks from now on...Sorry Billy.
editor's note - That's Billy Nielsen, SOC. |
 Createasphere EXPO
March 3rd - Universal Hilton
The first look for the Entertainment and Media industry at what will drive entertainment technology in 2011.This expo sets the pace for the year ahead in the quickly evolving world of entertainment technology and is a must attend event for all serious content creators. The March Entertainment Technology Exposition (formerly known as HD EXPO) enters its 10th year as the leading west coast venue where future technology and creative vision converge. REGISTER NOW for FREE: http://createasphere.com/En/ete-universal.html |
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