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SOC News                  November/December 2011 

    


SOC Newsletter 



Editor

Dan Gold, SOC 

 

Photography
Marc Miller, SOC
Rochelle Brown 

 

In this issue...
Award Recipients Announced
Storage Space Moved
SOC Visits Chapman University
How Did You Get That Shot?
Nashville Workshop Success
SOC Member Honored

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 2012 SOC  

Lifetime Achievement Awards

 

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Sunday February 19

ATAS Goldenson Theater

 

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Board of Governors

Officers
Mike Frediani, President
Chris Tufty, 1st VP
Steve Fracol, 2nd VP
Dave Frederick, 3rd VP
Dan Turrett, Treasurer
Dan Gold, Secretary
Mark August, Sgt.-at-Arms


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Robert Reed Altman
Will Arnot
Bonnie Blake
Steven Campanelli
Dan Coplan
Mitch Dubin
David Emmerichs
Buddy Fries
Bob Gorelick
Chris Haarhoff
Alec Jarnagin
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Stan McClain
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SOC Welcomes These New Members

Active Members

 

Bud Kremp 

Alan Pierce

George Peters

Brian Scott

Neil Toussaint

Jeff L. Crumbley

Cedric Martin

Mark Sparrough

Ryan Purcell

Rob Macey

Keith Francis

Paul Gardner 

Tim Harland

Ken Willinger

Alan Hereford

Brown Cooper

Felix Forest

John Sosenko 

Tom Cox

Pedro Guimaraes  

Craig Cockerill  

Nils C. Benson  

 

Associate Members

 

Jennifer Braddock

Jillian Arnold

George Griffith

Rochelle Brown

David Grober

Brent Spencer

Dany Salazar

Steve Saxton

Christopher Lymbris

Hilda Mercado

Matt Turvey

Claudio Reitti

Kurt Nolen   

Aymae Sulick

Doug Stanley

Marc Casey

Paul Ferrazzi 

Laurence Langton

Darin Mangan  

 

Student Members  

 

Josh Barrett

Nicholas Nikides  

Christian Hall

James Elam  

Jeff Kulig

Megan McCarthy

Megaera Stephens

Mary Brown

Maggie Schwab 

Richard Casteneda 

 

Corporate Members 

 

Matthews Studio Equipment 3ality/Technica  

Mark Bender and Associates  


Greetings!


Happy Holidays. Welcome to the November/December issue of the SOC Newsletter.
 
Did you know there is another camera operators' society across the pond? The Association of Camera Operators, ACO, based in the United Kingdom has recently completed its first two years of operation.
Former SOC President Dave Frederick recently sent a note of congratulations to the Association of Camera Operators. He received this letter in return.
 
Transparent SOC Blue Logo
 
ACO Logo










Hi David


Thanks very much for your kind words! We are great admirers of the SOC and all that it has achieved, and the very existence of the SOC formed part of our motivation to found the ACO. We have much to do and as you say it is not easy to inspire co-operation and get things moving in a volunteer organization!

This year however we have managed to resuscitate the Operators Award and put together an online voting system, which resulted in qualifying members of the British Society of Cinematographers, the Guild of British Camera Technicians, and the Association of Camera Operators voting together, and giving the award to Mike Proudfoot for 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2'. The presentation was made at the BSC Operators Night last Friday.

The award is open to any 'A' camera operator on a feature film or television drama worldwide released in the qualifying period, and operating DoPs are not eligible.

The other finalists were:
Joseph V Cicio, SOC for 'Black Swan'
Jorg Widmer for 'The Tree of Life'
Zac Nicholson, GBCT, ACO for 'The Kings Speech'
Des Whelan, GBCT, ACO for 'Captain America'
Peter Rosefeld, SOC for 'The Social Network'

I'm sure that we share your passion for the craft and art of camera operating, and also many of the same problems and issues. If any of us can be of any assistance  to the SOC and its members, at home, at work, or visiting the UK, then please let us know!

With very best regards,

Chris Plevin
Vice President
Association of Camera Operators
www.theaco.net
ACO image
Operator Cosmo Campbell, ACO, focus puller Tammo Van Horn, quadbike driver Dominic Rosevear, and precision driver Tim Rosevear. Malaga, Spain




 

Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients Announced
Clint Eastwood To Be Honored

The Society of Camera Operators  

is excited to announce the recipients of the  

2012 Lifetime Achievement Awards to be presented on  

Sunday, February 19, 2012 at the ATAS Goldenson Theater in North Hollywood, CA.

 

The premier Governors Award for Lifetime Achievement is to be presented to Clint Eastwood.  

 

The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement as Camera Operator is Paul Babin, SOC. Beginning his credited work as a camera operator in 1987 Babin has operated on motion picture projects from blockbuster box office hits to hit television shows. Babin is known for Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Magnolia and The Soloist.

 

The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement as Camera Technician is Zoran Veselic. Beginning in 1979 Veselic has been the A Camera Technician of many major blockbuster feature films. Veselic is known for Moneyball, The Muppets, Men in Black, Spider-Man and Up in the Air.

 

The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement as Mobile Camera Platform Operator is Dolly Grip Harry Rez. Starting with credited work in 1973 Rez has a resume filled with feature films and television programs that have been major successes. Rez is known for Doogie Howser, M.D., Providence and Nashville.

 

The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement as Motion Picture Stills Photographer is Andrew E. Cooper, SMPSP. Starting with credited work in 1984 Cooper has built a portfolio of some of the industry's most iconic images. Cooper is known for The Departed, Braveheart and War Horse.

 

The SOC will be presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Service to the Motion Picture Industry to Sol Negrin, ASC. Negrin has been a long time leader of the IATSE Local 600, a film school professor, Director of Photography and great supporter of the work of the SOC. He is known for his work on Kojak, The Patty Duke Show and Coming to America.

 

The award for "Historical Shot" will be presented to George Richmond for his work on the hand held shot titled The Siege of Bexhill in "Children of Men".  

 

The finalist nominees in the Camera Operator of the Year contest are:  

 
Feature Film 
P. Scott Sakamoto, SOC - "The Descendants" 
Stephen Campanelli, SOC - "J. Edgar" 
Mitch Dubin, SOC - "War Horse" 
Will Arnot, SOC - "The Help" 
Peter Rosenfeld, SOC - "Cowboys and Aliens" 
 
Television 
Simon Jayes, SOC - "True Blood" 
Andrew Mitchell, SOC - "Glee" 
Gregory P. Collier, SOC - "Bones" 
Chris Tufty, SOC - "The Closer" 
Greyson Austin, SOC - "Memphis Beat    

 

 

Cammy

The SOC supports the Vision Center of Children's Hospital Los Angeles through fund raising efforts within the Lifetime Achievement Awards event. If you are interested in being a part of this effort, contact our event planner Judy Levy at Levy, Pazanti and Associates for details.

 

Event ticketing, sponsorships, and the opportunity to place a congratulatory message to the recipients in the Awards Program Tribute Book are available as well. LPA can be reached at 310/201-5932 or mike@lpaevents.com.  

 

For other awards event questions please contact Dave Frederick, SOC 310/261-3541 or socawards12@gmail.com.

 

Storage Space Moved
More Space, Lower Cost

On November 30 President Frediani decided to move our storage unit from a dark, small and hot storage unit in North Hollywood to a brighter, temperature controlled unit in Burbank. It took our movers 6 hours to move our magazine overages, and event items to a more spacious and less expensive storage unit. Lending a hand are Associate Member Rochelle Brown, and Rachel Hudson. 

 

 Pres cleans up

 

 

SOC Visits Chapman University
Student Responds


Recently SOC 2nd Vice President Steve Fracol and SOC Active Member Marc Miller headed to Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts for a visit to speak about the role of the Camera Operator.   He talked with the students about the operator position on a crew, how we work, how we take a load off the DP's shoulders, communication skills, etc.

Chapman Gate
One student was moved to write Steve and Marc a little thank you note.

My name is Colin McDonald. I am a Junior at Chapman University studying for a BFA in Film Production. When I was about 10 years old and lived in Columbus, Ohio, I began creating short films. Back then it was all about story. My childhood friend and I came up with action-packed, adventure stories about a couple of young kids who saved the world. Our films were complete with costumes, props, fake blood, and set designs all of our own creation. Once we were ready to shoot, my friend's father would power up his Hi-8 video camera and capture our well rehearsed blocking. Soon, I purchased my own Hi-8 camera and the rest became history. I moved up the ranks from analog to digital, taking film/video classes at local colleges and my high school. I submitted short videos to an array of film festivals around the midwest and was very fortunate to win
quite a few. Filmmaking became my sole love in life. Once it was time to choose a university, the only option was film school. I knew I wanted a full four year program, not a quick two years of studying just film. I wanted the whole college experience, yet I also wanted a very serious film program. My father discovered Chapman in a book called Film School Confidential. He and my mom have always been very supportive of my dreams and goals. They have always said to me, "you can do anything you really put your mind to." I have taken this to heart and apply it to anything I do in life.
Chapman Student GroupChapman Student Colin

On Wednesday, November 16, Steve Fracol and Marc Miller of the SOC said just that! They lectured at the Chapman campus on the importance of getting yourself out into the industry, asking questions and making yourself known. The worst someone can say is no. It was so refreshing to hear their histories in relation to mine. They too made short films as children, Marc, specifically, relished on the fact that he loved working with his Super8 camera, just like my Hi-8. It is a great feeling as a student to hear industry professionals living life the same way you do, it gives you confidence that, in such a hectic industry, you are doing something right.

Steve and Marc also had some very
fascinating tips on how to get started and what it takes to join the union and contract services. They explained how one can get their 100 days of work, who to contact and how to begin the process of the safety classes. These are all questions that seem to

baffle student filmmakers; how do I get in?! Because they volunteered to make the trip out to Orange, Steve and Marc made a huge impact on upcoming filmmakers, who mostly were from the midwest and had no connection to the Hollywood industry. We are extremely grateful for their kindness.


But, there is one last element of the guest lecture that seems to have had the largest impact on the audience. My personal dream is to be a steadicam operator, just like Steve. Having grown up working on all aspects of a film and having been taught each aspect here at college, I have discovered that the one element of filmmaking that excites me most is camera opting. I can't verbally explain the rush I get from having a camera balanced on my body as I track with a actor through a synthetic scene. I say synthetic because, as opposed to news, you get to create the look of an action; you get to play with all possibilities and scenarios. And as a camera operator you are in that action, capturing every moment. It's beautiful. Steve and Marc share this love and so the biggest thrill at the their very much open-end lecture was to just chat back and forth about what a camera operator does and how that relates to the film as a whole. Steve and Marc are great role models. I can't say how much they made my week!

Colin McDonald

 

How Did You Get That Shot?
SOC Panel Discussion At Createasphere

On November 2nd, 2011, at Createasphere/HDExpo in the Marriott Hotel in Burbank, SOC's Dave Frederick, past president, present vice president and the producing chair of the SOC Lifetime Achievement Awards once again moderated a panel of professional SOC Camera Operators titled, "How'd I get that Shot?".
Thanks to Createasphere CEO and creator Kristin Petrovich-Kennedy, with Ignite Public relations Christine Purse and event producer Mimi Rossi for all of the logistical prep work to put this panel together for Creatasphere, as well as the talented technicians behind the scenes who suffered through the post it notes and dvd cue scribbles to feed the playback machines in the back of the house.

The Society of Camera Operators is a professional group in existence since 1979 to foster and promote the art and craft of Operating the Motion Picture camera. Obviously, there has been a significant change in the way we work with the newest equipment but the job is still the same - to tell a story with moving pictures.
Frederick assembled a wide range of talented camera operators who love to do just that - tell stories with cameras and lenses - with a chance to tell a story on "how they did get that shot" followed with a hands on portion for the audience to try some shots that give an example on what they were talking about.
SOC Panel Createasphere
Left to Right: Dave Frederick, moderator , Steve Campanelli, Steve Fracol, Ron Vidor, Dan Kneece, and Aiken Weiss. Photo by Marc Miller, SOC

The group- all members of the SOC (and material screened)... Featured film camera operator Steve Campanelli (The Changeling) who is up to nearly 20 films with Clint Eastwood.  Charter SOC member from the good old days, Steadicam operator Ron Vidor (JAG, ER) who comes from Hollywood's SOC early ruling class. The recent SOC past president and renaissance camera operator, mentor, great friend to us all -  and now director of Photography - Dan Kneece. (Number 23) One of the most superbly considerate and talented camera operators collaborating with Frederick steadily for the last five years on Sons of Anarchy and other projects, Steve Fracol. (The Box, Green Lantern) Rounding out the merry band we were fortunate to have visiting Los Angeles from his new home in Vancouver, BC, the intrepid adventurer and cleverest mcguyver camera operator - Aiken Weiss (Harsh Times) Moderator Dave Frederick finished up the panel (Sons of Anarchy)
Each participant showed clips that drew ooh and ahhs and then shared the anecdotes on just what challenges and rewards were accomplished by each shot. There were a few questions but moderator Frederick kept the program moving as with 6 master story tellers the time flew by quickly.

After we wrapped up our talk, we all went outside to Gear Alley and hosted a wildly interactive hands on portion pretend music video shoot with three cameras and audience members trying their hands at creating shots with the careful mentorship of Dan Kneece, Ron Vidor and Dave Frederick. 


SOC Nashville Workshop A Success
Sony F3  Presented

As new camera technology continues to arrive at an ever-more-dizzying pace, it's critical for the camera operator to keep current. Sony's introduction of the PMW-F3 large-sensor compact digital cinema camera earlier this year has created a lot of buzz, with a host of features and innovations in

Sony F3
Sony F3

a compact package.

 

On Saturday, October 15, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee, a group of fourteen camera operators, DP's and others gathered at A.C., Inc., one of the Southeast US's premier camera rental houses, for a Sony PMW-F3 Hands-on Workshop, sponsored by the SOC. The two-hour introduction to the F3 was organized and led by Mark Schlicher, SOC and Tyler Bradley, head camera tech at A.C., Inc.

 

Fred Humphreys, the Regional Manager for Sony's Broadcast and Professional Division, and Bill Sheffer, Account Manager for Sony's Broadcast Production Systems Division, also lent their support and expertise.

After introductions, Schlicher and Bradley presented a brief overview of the camera, including the recording system, recording features, inputs and outputs, and the innovative prime "kit lens" set Sony offers as a bundle with the camera.

 

They then led a discussion on the camera's convenience and usability features, including aids for exposure and focus, framing guides, convenient placement of controls, and professional audio and video connections. Limitations, operational quirks, and practical workarounds were also covered.

Humphreys and Sheffer offered information on Sony accessories, such as their upcoming 18mm to 250mm ENG-style zoom lens, and the SRR1 uncompressed portable recorder.

The PMW-F3 is a bold entry into the niche of affordable professional 1080P digital cinema cameras, offering a Super-35mm frame size, PL mount, high ISO, variable frame rates and internal or external recording options.

 

Sony F3 Wkshp
L to R: Bill Sheffer, Account Manager, Sony Broadcast Production Systems Div., with F3 workshop co-presenters Mark Schlicher, SOC, and Tyler Bradley, Head Camera Tech at A.C., Inc., Nashville, TN..

"As an operating DP and Steadicam operator who works on music video, documentary and corporate projects, the F3's combination of superb image quality, light weight, and the ability to integrate into a wide variety of shooting environments make this a very exciting camera," explains Schlicher. "With a camera body weighing 6 pounds and a mere 18 watt power draw, it's also a great camera for Steadicam. I can add a zoom lens like an Optimo Rouge, plus wireless follow focus, mattebox, video transmitter, and other accessories, and I'm still under 20 lbs of camera payload!"

 

"One of the best things about this camera is it's flexibility," added Bradley. "You can record internally to Sony's XDCAM codec, or to an outboard recorder via HD-SDI, HDMI or Firewire. For highest quality, the dual-link 4:4:4 S-Log option is available. The F3 easily integrates with standard cinema-style accessories, and the PL mount allows the full range of 35mm format cinema lenses."

 

The Sony F3 workshop was the first in a planned series of SOC-sponsored camera workshops to be hosted by A.C., Inc. in the coming months.

 

SOC Member Wins Award
GTC Honors Mike Brennan, SOC

Guild of Television Cameramen member Michael Brennan has won in the 'Best Risk Shot' category at the Golden Eye 2011 International Festival of Movie and TV Cameramen, held in Batumi, Georgia, on Saturday 22 October.
 
Mike Brennan GTC Award
Top left: Frame from the winning entry showing a part of the building hurtling towards the camera.
Top right: GTC Vice President John Henshall on stage announces the winner of the Golden Eye 'Best Risk Shot'. Photo by Leon Toggos.
 
Below: Frame from Mike Brennan's acceptance video.
The award was made for an incredible low-angle slow-motion shot of a large building imploding. This shot was captured at 500 frames per second using a camera built into a bomb-proof case. Although the case was made of laminated steel with an internal frame and ten millimetre polycarbonate front cover, even the strongest of boxes would be crushed under the thousands of tons of rubble which fell onto it.
 
The solution was to pull the camera out of harm's way after it had captured the shot but before it could be damaged or buried under rubble. Mike organised a track, made of scaffolding tubes and purpose-built cross bars, secured to the ground with twelve inch spikes. The dolly was powered by bungy cords, like a huge bow and arrow, triggered by two separate explosive charges attached to a tether. The dolly and payload weighed 120 kilogrammes and ran at 32 miles per hour for 150 feet.

"Full credit is due to Director Michelle Carlisle for sticking with my idea of tracking a camera from the base of the building as the building fell, and to my camera-assistant Johann Perry and Controlled Demolition Ltd," Mike Brennan comments. "The shot was in the back of my mind after I had successfully captured numerous implosions with cameras in innovative angles inside and on top of buildings - and I still have a few tricks up my sleeve for more interesting angles."

Learn about The GTC at www.gtc.org.uk