Cinemapodgrapher

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 mentorship under Hugo, her love and respect for wildlife, and the techniques she uses in the field. We then delve into her latest work as one of the series' DOPs and mentors on National Geographic's 'Queens,' a seven-part docu series helmed by a female-led production team that focuses on strong females in the animal kingdom.

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. Additionally, we break down oners, handoffs, and how to colloborate with a drone team.

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 camera assisting to studying at AFI at night while working as a DP on TV dramas during the day. We also delve into her anxiety, exploring how it has become her secret weapon, as well as her recent move from Sydney to LA.

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.

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.

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 journey from law to film, the nuances of operating in reality versus narrative, and her unwavering commitment to uplifting other women ahead of herself.

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.

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 also dabbled in TV directing. In this episode, we talk about his new website and podcast 'The Op,' his viral fame as a conservationist, and some of his favorite shots (oners) in his career.

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 McCarthy and creative processes on set.

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 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 first ever podcast for steadicam operators. Thank you to all the guests that have taken the time to share their stories and give advice for the past 100 episodes. Thank you also to the listeners who have tuned in and that have sent messages. This podcast was created 3 years ago, based simply on the idea that I wanted to give back and help people in this industry. Here’s to the next 100.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I go through my new steadicam kit, what equipment I had been researching and my initial thoughts on the Arri Artemis 2.

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.

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.