The idea for this website came about simply because he wished there was something like this when he started operating and he wanted to create a place where newer Ops and storytellers could go to learn the tricks of the trade that he and others have learned the hard way. This website would not exist if it weren’t for the input of many many individual Ops representing hundreds (if not thousands) of years on set and Dave owes his gratitude to them all.

We hope that you find the website useful and as a result, will pass it on to other Ops and storytellers everywhere.

Teaching

A good deal of this site stems from a seminar Dave has taught to film students (high school, college and graduate) entitled The Operator and The Art Of Visual Storytelling. Created in 2020, the class covers the importance of the camera Op on set, punctuated by real life stories and live Breakdowns that show the choices that are made on the fly and on the day. A favorite for most students is a scene from a feature film where Dave takes the class from storyboard, through a video rehearsal, to a video of him filming the scene, through the finished product, so that they can see, “real time”, the choices that he, the director, the DP, and the crew had to make to create the final images.

The seminar is easily expandable and can fit most time constraints and Dave has taught it multiple times in one day as well as demonstrating the art of steadicam in the classroom. He has taught both the Directing and Cinematography students, including a hands on workshop, at The American Film Institute in Los Angeles. In addition to his personal seminar, Dave has also assisted in teaching Crane workshops, Handheld workshops and workshops on the role of the A camera Op for the SOC. If you are interested in having Dave come speak, please contact him as he loves teaching and is very at home in the classroom.

Letters of Recommendation

Teaching Resume

Special Thanks

An undertaking like this doesn’t happen on its own. There is no way that you would be reading any of this without help from the following people, without whom none of this would exist. Special thanks goes out to the folks who immediately shot down the idea of sending all this out via carrier pigeon instead of putting it on the interwebs. In the end, they were right as early tests with the birds flying around iPads were grim at best. Incidentally, if anyone is looking for carrier pigeons…

It takes a village and our village is about the best there is.

Steve Hahn who emailed after reading something Dave had written about camera operating and stated “This has to be a book”. Through this journey he has been an editor, sounding board, and all around incredible force of great feedback. The Op would not exist if it were not for his involvement and support. Steve has no internet presence, lives in a cave, and only corresponds by Morse code which is surprisingly pleasing because it gives one time to think before responding.

David Kopp who knows more about the internet, brand management and so much more than anyone will ever even begin to comprehend. Having coffee with David is like learning things in The Matrix. He listened to our early ramblings, helped shape them, and since then has been a constant guide through this digital process. This site would not be anything worthwhile if not for him and the podcast and the logo would not exist. Linkedin

Robin Giese, software engineer extraordinaire and digital angel from above who answered a plea on Facebook to a guy he didn’t know and has become the brains behind what you see here. As Robin often says, “its just software” and then he emails later in the day and the site does what it didn’t do hours before. Simply amazing.

Tamar Chameides who started the design of the website and created a template to work off of that was incredibly important. She started the process in earnest and the way The Words work (which we still marvel at) was her idea and one of people’s favorite parts of the site as a result. @marrssart

David Sloat, whose feedback on all things website and podcast-related has been absolutely invaluable and who has been a good friend and an incredible part of getting this all to the point that you now see. David feels that the interwebs is a fad and has neither a website nor Instagram account, but he is considering adding to his carrier pigeon collection.

Hannah Kopek, Director of Development, a recent SCAD film grad and Steadicam operator, who jumped in blind and said “What can I do to help.” Her assistance in keeping this useful to students and younger filmmakers has been invaluable and her talent is beyond compare. @hannahkopek

Melia Haller, Social Media Director, a recent Chapman University Cinematography grad and Local 600 Digital Utility, Melia has transformed the way we interact with the world and created The Spotlight!!

Tatyana Richaud, an amazing composer, scorer of films, and current NYU student (yes, you read that right), who created the score for the podcast that takes it to the next level. Simply incredible and someone to watch. @tatyanarichaud

Charles Papert - Friend, former housemate, sax player, cinematographer, director, bon vivant, Charles is the guy who takes all the misc tech questions and answers them with extreme patience. He’s also the guy behind the idea and execution of the “roll camera” experience in the podcast theme. Brilliant.