Cinemapodgrapher
Cinemapodgrapher is a podcast about the art and craft of filmmaking, made by filmmakers for a global audience. Hosted by working industry professionals Lucas Tomoana, Hannah Ariotti and Josh Calder, it spotlights the people named in the credits — directors, cinematographers, camera operators, technicians, actors and other creatives. Each episode offers insider stories from set, career deep dives and practical lessons, along with discussion of the latest tools and technology in film and television production. The show is aimed at professionals and film fans who want to understand how the stories they love are actually made.
Episodes
Mitch Dubin SOC: Steven Spielberg's A Camera Operator
What does it take to earn Steven Spielberg's trust behind the camera and keep it for nearly three decades? Mitch Dubin SOC has operated 18 films for Spielberg, including Saving Private Ryan, Minority Report, Munich, Catch Me If You Can and West Side Story. In this episode, Mitch takes us inside the craft of camera operating at its highest level. He shares how he developed his instinct for framing,
Rabbit Trap and Independent Filmmaking with Writer Director Bryn Chainey
What happens when you stop waiting for permission and just make the film? Writer-director Brynn Chainey joins Josh Calder to unpack the journey behind his debut feature Rabbit Trap, starring Dev Patel. From years spent making short films to finding the collaborators who truly connected with his strange, atmospheric vision, Brynn shares how the independently made film eventually found its way to Su
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms with Cinematographer Gustav Danielsson FSF
How do you create something new inside one of the most recognisable worlds in television? This week, Lucas Tomoana SOC ACO sits down with Emmy nominated cinematographer Gustav Danielsson FSF, whose work spans You the Living, Black Mirror, The Glass Dome and HBO's A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Gustav takes us from his beginnings studying architecture in Sweden to collaborating with Roy Andersson,
Finding the shot with Unit Stills Photographer John Platt
What if the most important photographs taken on a film set aren't of the actors, but of the people behind the camera? This week, Josh Calder sits down with veteran Unit Stills Photographer Jon Platt, whose career has taken him from Second AC and Focus Puller to Camera Operator and, eventually, behind the stills camera. Across nearly four decades, Jon has worked alongside some of the industry's gre
Mortal Kombat 2 with 2nd Unit DP Peter McCaffrey
How do two film crews come together to make one seamless blockbuster? In Part 2 of our Mortal Kombat series, 2nd Unit DP Pete McCaffrey takes us inside the relationship between Main Unit and Second Unit, explaining how every shot, every fight sequence and every lighting decision has to feel like it came from the same camera, even when it is being filmed by different crews. We explore the incredibl
Finding Films and Creative Careers with Comedian Alexei Toliopoulus
How do you turn a love of movies into a career? This week, Josh Calder sits down with comedian, filmmaker, podcaster and one of Australia's most trusted voices on cinema, Alexei Toliopoulos. From hosting trivia at the iconic Golden Age Cinema to building a career across stand up, documentaries, ABC film reviews and podcasting, Alexei has spent more than a decade helping audiences discover films th
Mortal Kombat 2 with Cinematographer Stephen Windon ACS ASC
Stephen Windon ACS ASC has spent more than 50 years behind the camera, building a career that has taken him from the ABC in Sydney to some of Hollywood's biggest productions. A third-generation filmmaker and ACS Hall of Fame inductee, Stephen's credits include seven Fast & Furious films, Star Trek Beyond, The Gray Man, The Electric State and, most recently, Mortal Kombat 2. In Part 1 of our Mortal
One Battle After Another with Key Grip Tana Dubbe
She helps hold together some of the biggest films in Hollywood, solving impossible problems with gravity, camera rigs and pure instinct. This week on Cinemapodgrapher, we are joined by legendary Key Grip Tana Dubbe. Starting out taking stills in New York before moving into film, Tanner has spent more than 25 years building a career across some of the industry's biggest productions including Iron M
The Pitt with Cinematographer Johanna Coehlo
Johanna "Jojo" Coelho is redefining how modern television is shot. The cinematographer of the award winning HBO series The Pitt joins Lucas Tomoana to unpack the groundbreaking visual approach behind the show. Jojo shares how her journey from France to the American Film Institute shaped her path to becoming a director of photography in Hollywood. The conversation dives into the immersive camera st
The Chair Company with Cinematographer Ashley Connor
Ashley Connor turns comedy into something quietly unnerving, building images that feel like they are slipping out from under you. In this episode, the cinematographer behind HBO's The Chair Company shares how her roots in experimental film and microbudget features shaped a bold, instinct driven approach to image making. She unpacks her collaboration with the directors, shooting all eight episodes
One Battle After Another with Cinematographer Michael Bauman
Oscar nominated cinematographer Michael Bauman has lived almost every corner of the lighting department, from best boy to gaffer to director of photography, shaping some of the most iconic imagery in modern cinema. At the centre of this conversation is One Battle After Another, the film that marks a defining chapter in his journey behind the camera and a turning point in his creative evolution. Mi
Frankenstein with Production Designer Tamara Deverell
Academy Award–nominated production designer Tamara Deverell joins the podcast following her Oscar-nominated work on Frankenstein, a visually operatic reimagining that stands as one of the most ambitious production design achievements in recent cinema. With a career spanning decades and long-standing collaborations with Guillermo del Toro, Tamara has helped shape richly textured worlds across film
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 with Cinematographer Jules O'Loughlin ASC ACS
At the age of 30, Jules O'Loughlin ASC ACS walked away from a successful career as a futures trader and made the decision to pursue cinematography full-time. After enrolling at AFTRS, he shot his first feature Kokoda, a film that helped launch his career in the Australian film industry. That decision set Jules on a path from local features to major international productions, leading to credits inc
Camera Operator Ben Eeley ACO SOC: Fitness, Steadicam, Wheels, Conventional Operating, ZeeGee and Joining the ACO
When Ben Eeley ACO SOC is not camera operating, he spends his spare time running marathons, cycling, swimming and training for the Ironman. This episode explores how fitness and endurance play a role in camera operating, alongside Steadicam, wheels, conventional operating, using the ZeeGee and handheld work. Ben shares insight into the physical demands of the job, how he began his Steadicam career
Camera Operator Brett Hurd SOC: American Primeval, The Handmaid's Tale and the craft of leading from behind the lens
International camera operator Brett Hurd SOC joins us after a run on shows like The Handmaid's Tale, Mrs America, The Terminal List and American Primeval. We talk about the path that took him from early sports broadcasting and documentary work to operating on major dramas around the world. Brett shares how still photography shapes his eye, why mobility and body awareness matter for handheld, and h
Murderbot with Production Designer Sue Chan
This week on Cinemapodgrapher, one of our new hosts, Hannah, sits down with acclaimed production designer Sue Chan, whose work spans Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Where the Crawdads Sing, Colossal, and now the highly anticipated series Murderbot. Together they explore Sue's approach to world-building, the design of the AI-driven character at the heart of Murderbot, and how her backgro
Dolly Grip Dave Shaw: Lessons from 30 years in the Industry
This week on Cinemapodgrapher, new host Josh Calder sits down with one of Australia's most respected dolly grips, Dave Shaw. With over 30 years in the industry and credits on War Machine, Thor: Ragnarok, The Hobbit, Avatar, Eat Pray Love, San Andreas, Furiosa, Nim's Island, and Pete's Dragon, Dave has seen it all from behind the camera. They unpack what it truly means to be a dolly grip, the craft
Cinematographer Jacques Jouffret ASC: Camera Operating, Transformers, Gran Turismo & American Primeval
For many years Jacques Jouffret ASC was one of the world's top camera operators, winning the SOC Camera Operator of the Year award for his work on Into the Wild and contributing to multiple Transformers films, Swordfish, Seabiscuit, Deepwater Horizon, Man on Fire, Patriots Day and Lone Survivor. Today he is an acclaimed cinematographer whose credits include The Purge, Jack Ryan, Mile 22, Gran Turi
F1 with Skywalker Sound - Al Nelson, Luke Dunn-Gielmuda and Andree Lin
The legendary team from Skywalker Sound, Supervising Sound Editor Al Nelson, Lead Sound Effects Editor Luke Dunn-Gielmuda, and Sound Design Assistant Andree Lin join us for Part 2 of F1, the movie. From working with Joseph Kosinski, collaborating with Sir Lewis Hamilton, to drawing lessons from Top Gun: Maverick, the team breaks down how they reconstructed the visceral sounds of Formula 1 racing.
Andor Season 2 with Cinematographer Christophe Nuyens SBC
Andor Season 2 has earned 14 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Cinematography. DP Christophe Nuyens SBC joins us to discuss his nominated work on Episodes 1–6. We talk about his journey through the Belgian, French, and English film industries, and his extended preproduction with director Ariel Kleiman, where they used ILM's live-vis system to plan shots. Christophe also shares why he prefers
Chief of War with Cinematographer Matthew Chuang ACS
Born in Taiwan and raised in Australia, cinematographer Matthew Chuang ACS has always been drawn to telling stories rooted in culture and identity. After reaching a creative ceiling in Australia, he made the leap to Los Angeles where he connected with director Justin Chon. The two have since collaborated on multiple projects, most recently reuniting for Apple TV's epic series Chief of War. In this
DIT Jason Bauer: Taylor Swift, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Thai Cave Rescue & Cherry
The first digital imaging technician to join the podcast, Jason Bauer began his career using still photography for previs on productions shooting film. As cinematography shifted to digital, Jason trained other digital imaging technicians before eventually stepping into the role himself. Now one of the most sought-after DITs in the industry, he has worked on major productions around the world. In t
F1 with 1st Assistant Camera Dan Ming
From fighter jets to race cars, Dan Ming is a world-class 1st AC who loves tech. Dan Ming and his team are known for their work on Top Gun: Maverick, and now they've taken those lessons, pushing the boundaries even further, to bring you F1. We talk about the collaboration with some of the biggest brands in the game: Sony, Apple, and Panavision, and the camera builds that came out of it: Sony's Car
The Studio with DP Adam Newport-Berra and Camera Operator Mark Goellnicht SOC ACO
DP Adam Newport-Berra and Camera Operator Mark Goellnicht SOC ACO are the powerhouse duo behind the lens of The Studio. In this episode, we dive into what it's really like working with comedy legends and co-directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Adam and Mark take us through the camera rigs they tested and how they meticulously choreographed scenes that feel like total chaos but are actually tigh
The Last of Us Season 2 with Cinematographer Ksenia Sereda
Cinematographer Ksenia Sereda takes us behind the scenes for The Last Of Us Season 2. It's clear from the start how deeply she loves what she does. She lives and breathes her work and her passion is infectious. In this episode, we break down everything from the custom-built Cooke lenses she helped design, shooting cast on horseback and the responsibility of being setup DP for the show. We dig into
The Acolyte with Cinematographer Chris Teague
Chris Teague, an Emmy Award winning Director of Photography, has worked on a diverse slate of projects, from Russian Doll and Only Murders in the Building to entering the Star Wars universe with The Acolyte. In our conversation, we talk about his path into drama, the value of building strong creative relationships, and what it means to be a setup DP. We also get into preproduction, LUTs, fight cho
AJK Grips: Mad Max Fury Road, Furiosa & The Fall Guy
Key Grip Adam "Skull" Kuiper and Best Boy Josh Calder lead one of Australia's top grip teams at AJK Grips. In this episode, we dive into how Skull earned his nickname, his journey into key gripping, and the art of building grip trucks from the ground up. Josh shares insights into the role of a Best Boy Grip and their shared vision for training the next generation of technicians. We also chat about
Remote Pilot Aidan Kelly: Mission Impossible, James Bond, The Fall Guy & Building XM2
Aiden Kelly is one of the world's leading remote pilots and the co-founder of XM2. He shares how he started out flying remote helicopters and running a hobby shop, which led to building XM2 into a global remote head company with offices in Australia, the US, the UK, and Korea. We talk about the early days of drone cinematography and how XM2 expanded into arm cars, e-bikes, cable cams, and RC track
Snow White with Cinematographer Mandy Walker AM ASC ACS
Mandy Walker AM ASC ACS's stunning cinematography has captivated audiences around the world. From Australia to Elvis, Snow White, and commercials for global brands like Chanel, Nike, Louis Vuitton, and Audi — her work is bold, emotional, and always cinematic. In this episode, Mandy shares how she carved her own path without film school, became a trailblazer for women in film, and developed her app
Adolescence with DP Matt Lewis and Camera Operator Lee Brown
Netflix hit series Adolescence has taken the world by storm — a gripping 4-part mini series exploring parenting, misogyny, and bullying — each episode shot in one continuous take. This week on the podcast, we chat with Director of Photography Matt Lewis and Camera Operator Lee Brown, the duo behind the lens of this viral sensation. They break down exactly how they pulled off the oners- from the te
September 5 with Markus Förderer ASC BVK
Markus Förderer ASC BVK takes us behind the scenes of September 5, an independent feature where he crafted an authentic 1970s broadcast aesthetic while pushing the boundaries of digital cinematography. He shares how he transformed the RED V-Raptor to look like film, lit the set for 360-degree shooting, and operated in a raw, documentary style without rehearsals. Markus also discusses the challenge
Sean Flannery: Mastering Live Broadcast – Oscars, Grammys, Super Bowl Halftime Shows, Steadicam & Trinity
Sean Flannery has operated on some of the biggest live broadcasts in the world—Oscars, Grammys, Super Bowl Halftime Shows, you name it. In this episode, we sit down with Sean to unpack what it takes to operate under intense pressure while millions watch live. We dive deep into the technical side of Steadicam and Trinity, break down what it was like bringing the Kenergy with Ryan Gosling at the Osc
Matt Poynter ACO, SOC Assoc BSC: Becoming President of the ACO, the Importance of Assisting, A vs. B Cam, Building Relationships, Crane Work & Steadicam.
In this episode, we sit down with Matt Poynter ACO, SOC Assoc, BSC to talk about his journey from a young assistant to becoming the President of the ACO (Association of Camera Operators). Matt shares insights into the ACO's role in the industry, as well as his own career path—moving to London, starting out in a rental house, and the pivotal moment when he met cinematographer Sean Bobbitt BSC. We a
Beast Games with Series DP Jason Elliott
What does it take to be the series DP for Beast Games, the most ambitious reality series ever, helmed by none other than MrBeast? In this episode, we sit down with cinematographer Jason Elliott to break down the high-stakes spectacle—shattering camera world records, orchestrating shots with 1,000 contestants and a massive crew, and bringing extravagant sets to life. Jason shares how he landed a r
Invisible Boys with Director Nicholas Verso and Cinematographer Jason Hargreaves ACS
In this episode, we dive into Invisible Boys, the Stan original series adapted from Holden Sheppard's award-winning novel. The story follows four young men navigating identity and sexuality in a coastal country town—a perspective rarely seen on Australian screens. Joining the podcast is Director Nicholas Verso and Cinematographer Jason Hargreaves ACS. We discuss how Nick optioned the book and his
The Wild Robot with Head of Story Heidi Jo Gilbert
Heidi Jo Gilbert's journey in animation is as inspiring as the stories she brings to life. After losing her dream job at Disney and facing one of the darkest times in her life, Heidi found unexpected inspiration in the story of Tom Brady—a quarterback who overcame doubt to become one of the greatest. That spark ignited her comeback. She channeled her creativity into an Instagram reel about Wicked
Dolly Grip Jamie Starr: Starting in Video Assist, James Bond, the art of dolly gripping, telescopic cranes, 1917 & Star Wars
On this episode of Cinemapodgrapher, we sit down with international dolly grip Jamie Starr to discuss his incredible career. From starting out as a video assistant to working on James Bond, to dolly gripping on 1917, and Star Wars: Episode VIII. He also gives us an insider's perspective on the art of dolly gripping and working with telescopic cranes. And, of course, we couldn't miss chatting about
Patrick Caligiuri: The Decline of Hollywood, Artificial Intelligence, Independent Filmmaking, & the Rise of Branded Content
Producer Patrick Caligiuri began creating content during COVID discussing the Film & TV industry on TikTok and Instagram. He has since amassed over 250k followers and established himself as a respected voice and thought leader. Patrick joins us to explore the biggest topics shaping the future of entertainment, including the decline of Hollywood, the clash between traditional studios and tech giant
The Penguin with Director Helen Shaver
Helen Shaver has directed some of television's most celebrated shows, including Vikings, Orphan Black, Law & Order: SVU, Westworld, Station Eleven and The Penguin (Episodes 4 and 5). Helen takes us on a personal journey, sharing how a childhood illness led her to discover a passion for storytelling. We explore how her time in the hospital influenced her path to acting and, eventually, her transiti
Wolfs with Cinematographer Larkin Seiple
In this episode, we chat with Larkin Seiple, the visionary cinematographer behind some of the most iconic visuals in recent film and music video history. Larkin discusses his early years working in reality television and shooting over 100 music videos. We break down his work on viral music videos like DJ Snake's "Turn Down for What" and Childish Gambino's "This is America". We also explore his lon
David Elmes: Focus pulling on the Matrix, Ghost in the Shell, Hacksaw Ridge and Mad Max Furiosa
David Elmes, one of Australia's most experienced focus pullers, works predominantly on U.S. features with many of those films budgets exceeding $100 million. In this episode, we begin by discussing his top tips for new assistants and his insights into the role of the A Cam focus puller. David also shares his journey from New Zealand to Brisbane, and eventually Sydney. Later, we explore his work on
Sky Davies ACS: Short Films, Climbing the Camera Dept Ladder, Family and DPing Drama
Cinematographer Sky Davies ACS is one of Australia's rising stars. She joins us for a conversation about navigating the camera department, from assisting to DPing on drama. We discuss her early years hustling on short films, how they shaped her work ethic, and inspired her to innovate creative techniques. We also talk about balancing family and work while avoiding burnout. Later in the episode, we
From Football to Hollywood: A Journey with 1st AC Todd Schlopy
From barefoot kicker for the Michigan Wolverines and the Buffalo Bills to Hollywood 1st AC, Todd Schlopy shares behind-the-scenes stories from blockbuster films such as Starship Troopers, Air Force One, Spider-Man, Transformers, Wanted, The Revenant, and Swordfish. Throughout the episode, we discuss the techniques he uses for focus pulling, offering insights into his craft. We also explore his bri
Alien: Romulus with Production Designer Naaman Marshall
Naaman Marshall spent his early childhood visiting famous film sets designed by his uncle, such as Hook and Saving Private Ryan. This inspired him to pursue a career in the art department, where he has worked as a model maker, art director, and production designer on films including Westworld, The Dark Knight, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Mortal Kombat, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and
House of the Dragon with Catherine Goldschmidt BSC
Catherine Goldschmidt BSC was nominated for both an Emmy and an ASC Award for her work on HBO's House of the Dragon and was named a rising star of cinematography by American Cinematographer. Two seasons later, she is credited with shooting three episodes: "Lord of the Tides," "Burning Mill," and the Season 2 finale, "The Queen Who Ever Was." In this episode, Catherine shares her experiences on the
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes with VFX Supervisor Erik Winquist
Erik Winquist is a renowned VFX Supervisor at Wētā FX, a leading visual effects company based in New Zealand. After leaving the US to work on the Lord of the Rings, he now has over two decades of experience working on iconic films such as Avatar, X-Men, I Robot, King Kong, Rampage, and the Planet of the Apes franchise. In this episode, we discuss the latest installment, Kingdom of the Planet o
Filmcare Trinity 2, Steadicam & A Cam Masterclass
The Cinemapodgrapher team travelled from Brisbane to Lisbon for Filmcare's Trinity 2, Steadicam & A Cam masterclass. We recap all the higlights of the camera operator workshop hosted by Geoff Haley SOC, Ari Robbins SOC, Curt Schaller & Fares Corbani SOC ACO. We also talk all things football, food, castles and one crazy Tuk Tuk ride down a mountain.
Flying Sideways with Fred North
The world's most famous stunt helicopter pilot, Fred North, has flown over 20,000 hours, shot 200 films, worked with directors Michael Bay, Roland Emmerich, and Sam Hargrave, holds a world record for altitude, and is the author of his autobiography, Flying Sideways. Some of his credits include Inception, James Bond: Spectre, Mission Impossible, Guardians of the Galaxy, Transformers: Dark Side of t
Mental health in the entertainment industry with Ben Steel
Mental health issues are significantly higher in the entertainment industry than in the general population. Symptoms of anxiety are ten times higher, depression five times higher, and sleep disorders seven times higher, with five suicide attempts every week. Early in his career, Ben Steel battled his own mental health issues, which led him to create the 2016 documentary "The Show Must Go On." Upon
The costumes of Shogun with Carlos Rosario
At 21, Carlos Rosario left the fashion houses of Paris for the hills of Hollywood, where his illustrations landed him his first job. Now a costume designer himself, his recent credits include A Girl in the Spider's Web, Alien Romulus, and FX's hit series Shogun. We talk about his love for fashion, being mentored by four-time Oscar winner Colleen Atwood, and how he found his voice through the costu
Film Care with Fares Corbani SOC ACO
At 14 years old, Fares Corbani SOC ACO, was helping a neigbour with wedding videography in Beirut, Lebanon. This would then lead him on a journey to becoming a Trinity, Steadicam and Camera Operator shooting in the Middle East and Europe. Fares' love of workshops inspired him to found Film Care, the home of elite film workshops. We discuss buying his first steadicam, adopting the Trinity and
Fallout with Stuart Dryburgh ASC NZCS
Stuart Dryburgh ASC NZCS teamed up with Jonathan Nolan for four episodes of Amazon's new hit series, Fallout. Adapted from the popular video game series, we delve into shooting with 35mm film, combining virtual production, and working as a setup DP. We also cover Stuart's beginnings in New Zealand, shooting iconic films such as The Piano and Once Were Warriors, and his eventual move to the USA.
Shogun with Sam McCurdy ASC BSC
Sam McCurdy ASC BSC, shot five episodes of FX's new hit series 'Shogun.' Join us for our longest episode ever as we discuss honesty, love, dropping out of art school, Game of Thrones, lighting, football, and break down our favourite moments from the show.
Wildlife Cinematographer Sophie Darlington
At age 19, Sophie Darlington left Dublin for Tanzania to become a camp manager at the Ngorongoro Crater. It was there that she was mentored by Hugo Van Lawick to become a wildlife cinematographer. Now, 30 years later, Sophie is a BAFTA award winner, and her work has been screened globally on National Geographic, Netflix, BBC, and the Discovery Channel. Early in the episode, we discuss her mentorsh
Switching departments with Drone Pilot Jeff Gaunt
Jeff Gaunt has been an archery champion, editor, VFX guru, director, and is now a skilled drone pilot for renowned company, Heliguy. His knack for learning new disciplines has seen him successfully pivot his career numerous times. We discuss his early days in post-production at Cutting Edge, directing VFX car commercials, and his transition to drone pilot, shooting cinema projects around the globe
Cinematographer Meg White
Meg White spent her younger years watching horror movies with her older brother, it is there she developed her interest in photography and filmmaking. Her love of photography led her to participate in several exhibitions. One project took her on a journey across Australia, where she captured images of roadkill. We discuss her ability to juggle multiple commitments, from shooting short films while
Aerial Cinematography with Dylan Goss
Dylan Goss has been the Aerial DP for some of the biggest films of the past decade. In this episode, we delve into his contributions to Denis Villeneuve's films such as 'Sicario', 'Blade Runner 2049', and the 'Dune' saga. Additionally, we discuss aircraft, gimbals, planning aerial sequences, and the journey to becoming an aerial director of photography.
Trinity with Junior Lucano SOC ACO
Junior Lucano SOC ACO, is one of the most followed Operators in the world, the first Trinity Operator in Asia and the creator of the Trinity Lab workshop. We follow his journey from Peru to America, Italy, and finally to China. We discuss upgrading to Trinity 2, his emphasis on training, finding answers in one's past, and the struggle between work and love.
Lady Camera Guy with Gretchen Warthen SOC
For International Women's Day, we present to you this special episode featuring Cinematographer and Operator Gretchen Warthen SOC. Gretchen's expertise spans across documentary, reality, and narrative genres. She is also the creator of the renowned Lady Camera Guy Instagram profile, dedicated to championing and promoting women behind the camera. In our conversation, we delve into her inspiring jou
Flowcine with Caitlin Royse
Caitlin Royse is an Australian based in Sweden where she worked her way up the camera department ladder as an Assistant. With her recent move into Camera Operating she has also been working with Flowcine, a camera stabilisation company. We discuss flowcine's xArm, xSpine, xReach, GLink and the overall craft of camera operating.
The Op with Dave Chameides SOC
Dave Chameides SOC is a two-time Emmy Award-winning Steadicam operator, environmentalist educator, and founder of The Op, a podcast, and website for camera operators. Dave's career has spanned productions such as ER, The West Wing, Ozark, From Dusk Till Dawn, Donnie Darko, Saint Vincent, and Shame. He has not only been nominated for Feature Operator of the Year and TV Operator of the Year but has
From New Zealand to the World with Denson Baker ACS NZCS
Denson Baker ACS NZCS is a Maori Aussie raised in Auckland, New Zealand, and Perth, Australia. An alumnus of the national film school, AFTRS, Denson eventually moved to the UK, where he shoots TV and feature films internationally. In this episode, we discuss his early beginnings in Auckland and Perth, his studies at AFTRS, transitioning into international work, meeting his partner Director Claire
The Legacy of Mark Toia with Jordan Toia and Jake Koning
After the recent passing of my mentor and friend Mark Toia, I sit down with Jordan Toia, his son, and Jake Koning, fellow mentee. We have an open and vulnerable conversation on what Mark meant to us. We share some memories and lessons, and discuss how we will continue his legacy.
Episode 100: Camera & Steadicam Operator Brad Grimmett, podcast host of Walking Backwards
Episode 100 is a doozy and we're mixing it up with a special collaboration. LA based Camera & Steadicam Operator Brad Grimmett has worked on a huge amount of productions that include The Terminal list, Taken, Empire, CSI and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. In our longest episode ever, Brad shares stories from his career, our meeting via the backstreet boys tour and the creation of Walking Backwards, the fi
The Sony Burano
Sony has announced its new full frame cinema camera, the Burano. Director Tony Walsh owns an FX3, FX6 & FX9 so I've brought him back for a special segment I like to call "Sony with Tony". We discuss the Burano specs, how it compares to the rest of the CineaAlta line and where we see it being used in the market.
Crew HQ with Kirsty Stark
Kirsty started as a camera assistant, won an Emmy as a producer, and is now the founder of Crew HQ, a one-stop shop for Australian film and TV crew. We discuss her transition from the camera department to production, how Crew HQ operates, and the upcoming Crewcon, a conference for below-the-line Film and TV crew.
Camera & Steadicam Operator Koon Ya-Inta SOC ACO
Koon was studying to be a musician until he came across a camera and began filming his classmates. This led him to study in San Francisco where he learnt steadicam and joined the SOC. Now based in Bangkok, Koon is the first Thai SOC and the ACO full member. We discuss his student days in San Fran, steadicam rigs, segways, MK-V AR Omega and his recent venture into engineering.
Working Internationally with Ashley Barron ACS
Ashley Barron ACS is a globetrotting cinematographer who grew up between Ireland, Armenia and Australia. We discuss her attendance at the American Film Institute, working with agents, navigating different markets, and her approach to shooting Dangerous Liaisons in the Czech Republic.
Tips for Handheld Operating
You asked for it so here it is, tips for handheld operating. I go through building and balancing, different styles and various rigs for holding the camera, moving around set and working with your dolly grip.
"In Our Blood" with DP Jason Hargreaves ACS and Gaffer Glenn Jones
DP Jason Hargreaves ACS and Gaffer Glenn Jones discuss their long time collaboration from working on commercials to shooting ABC drama "In Our Blood". They talk about the DP Gaffer relationship, their visual approach and using almost entirely LED for the production.
Getting my first steadicam, Arri Artemis 2
I go through my new steadicam kit, what equipment I had been researching and my initial thoughts on the Arri Artemis 2.
Shooting Automotive with Mark Toia
Mark Toia returns to the podcast. This time to discuss the skills and techniques hes developed by photographing hundreds of car commercials around the globe. We cover getting his first car job, lighting for studio and exteriors, communication in arm cars and saftey in helicopters.
Corners of the Earth: Kamchatka with Spencer Frost
Spencer Frost is a Director, Cinematographer and avid surfer. After the success of his first feature in Iceland, Spencer and his mates traveled to a peninsula in Russia's far east to surf waves that have never been surfed before. We discuss development of the film, the logistical challenges they faced and filming in the surf in sub zero temperatures.
Camera Operator Neal Bryant SOC
Neal Bryant SOC was the A Camera Operator for HBO's The Last of Us. We talk briefly about the show, his love for steadicam, operating the ZeeGee rig and tips for new camera operators.
Moving up the ladder with Danny Haneman
Throughout our careers we will have to take a risk, move up the ladder or even change departments. After many years as an assistant, my good mate Danny made the decision to start shooting. We discuss the benefits of assisting, when is the right time to change and the challenges hes faced so far.
Making the Switch: Photography to Directing with Bonnie Cee
Bonnie Cee is a fashion photographer, filmmaker, Canon Ambassador and founder of the innovative Colourtone app. Her fashion photography has amassed 180k instagram followers and Colourtone has over 5 million downloads. We discuss her recent pivot into directing, the early days at Blackmilk clothing and the difficulties of balancing single parenting with a film career.
Becoming a specialist with Cam Batten
Cam Batten was a snowboarder studying engineering when he started to pick up the camera. His love of snowboarding led him to specialise in gimbals, remote heads, FPV and eventually aerial cinematography. Cam now travels the worlds shooting Natural History for IMAX projects. We discuss his knack for technology, the importance of specialists and how he operates in remote locations around the world.
Directing Commercials with Hannah Arriotti
Finding a career path to become a working Director is tough to navigate so I invited a friend from my old film school. Hannah Arriotti was recently added to the roster at well known Queensland production company, Taxi Film. We discuss her journey through film school, honing your craft through commercials, the pitch process and communication skills required for Directing.
Shooting for Red Bull with Geordie Lillis
Geordie Lillis is a country boy that bought a red camera and began documenting his adventures, mostly around extreme sports. His social media antics captured the attention of Hype Republic thus landing him a job shooting Red Bull content. We discuss Geordies early beginings, his role as a content creator at Hype as well as his process so he can quickly turn over content.
Planning your film career
Failure to plan is planning to fail. Most people wing it in this industry and for the most part it works for them. However if you want to be successful long term and be more efficient with your time in this industry you need to have a guide for your career. On this episode I go through 4 simple steps that I use to plan ahead. I hope this helps you. LT
