The Op

By Dave ChameidesTV & Film Arts Film Interviews Visual Arts

The Op episodes

July 17, 2025 Operator David Emmerichs
David and I talk about the power of failure, his first A camera job, Bad Times At The El Royale, Armageddon, The Green Mile, and so much more.
David's IMDB
Watch David's Shot Breakdowns on The Op Here!!!!
To see pictures and things we discussed in todays episode check out the podcast page of The Op.
Please check us out on the web and instagram and like us and review us if you enjoyed the episode.
Theme Music - Tatyana Richaud
Theme Mix - Charles Papert

1 hr 20 min
July 10, 2025 Operator Chris Haarhoff
Chris and I discuss the beginnings of the PRO, living in Hollywood in a steadicam flop house, Saving Private Ryan, The Salton Sea, and so much more.
Chris' IMDB
View Chris' Shot Breakdowns Here
To see pictures and things we discussed in todays episode check out the podcast page of The Op.
Please check us out on the web and instagram and like us and review us if you enjoyed the episode.
Theme Music - Tatyana Richaud
Theme Mix - Charles Papert

2 hr 2 min
July 03, 2025 BONUS EPISODE: SOC A Camera Operator Panel Discussion
Last week the SOC hosted So You Want To Be An A Camera Operator (hint it's more than just panning and tilting) at the Chapman facilities in Atlanta. Operators Matt Petrosky, Chris Duskin, Jessica Hershatter, Greg Faysash, Brigman "Briggs" Foster-Owens, Dave Chameides and Dolly Grip Eric Zucker discuss the 95% of the job of being a camera operator that has nothing to do with with operating itself. Interpersonal skills, working with a new dolly grip, when the director and the DP aren't agreeing on things, we discuss the part of the job that is not always as easy to learn as landing a frame.
To see pictures and things we discussed in todays episode check out the podcast page of The Op.
Please check us out on the web and instagram and like us and review us if you enjoyed the episode.
Theme Music - Tatyana Richaud
Theme Mix - Charles Papert

1 hr 41 min
June 26, 2025 Cinematographer David Mullen
David and I discuss starting out in 8mm film, reading every back issue of the ASC magazine, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Twin Falls Idaho, and so much more.
David's IMDB
To see pictures and things we discussed in todays episode check out the podcast page of The Op.
Please check us out on the web and instagram and like us and review us if you enjoyed the episode.
Theme Music - Tatyana Richaud
Theme Mix - Charles Papert

1 hr 33 min
June 19, 2025 Actress Olivia Williams
Olivia and I discuss cookies, acting and the camera operator, The Postman, The Sixth Sense, and so much more.
***TRIGGER WARNING** - There is a discussion of a sexual assault in this episode at the 54 minute mark with a disclaimer just before that portion of the podcast.
Olivia's IMDB
Bystander Training At Right To Be
Check out Filmscape Chicago
To see pictures and things we discussed in todays episode check out the podcast page of The Op.
Please check us out on the web and instagram and like us and review us if you enjoyed the episode.
Theme Music - Tatyana Richaud
Theme Mix - Charles Papert

2 hr 1 min
June 12, 2025 VFX Supervisor Rob Hodgson
Rob and I talk about turning down Forrest Gump, the pros and cons of animatics, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Inception, and so much more.
Rob's IMDB
Check out Filmscape Chicago
To see pictures and things we discussed in todays episode check out the podcast page of The Op.
Please check us out on the web and instagram and like us and review us if you enjoyed the episode.
Theme Music - Tatyana Richaud
Theme Mix - Charles Papert

1 hr 14 min
June 08, 2025 That One Voice - Cheli Clayton-Samaras
Cheli thanks a teacher who taught her how to tell stories.
3 min
June 05, 2025 Focus Puller Cheli Clayton-Samaras
Cheli and I talk about focus pulling without rehearsals, making game day decisions, Joker Folie a Deux, Team American World Police, and so much more.
Cheli's IMDB
RIP Norman Parker.
Bystander Intervention Training
To see pictures and things we discussed in todays episode check out the podcast page of The Op.
Please check us out on the web and instagram and like us and review us if you enjoyed the episode.
Theme Music - Tatyana Richaud
Theme Mix - Charles Papert

2 hr
May 22, 2025 Operator Gary Spratling
Gary and I discuss how to work with a dolly grip who only speaks Thai, what to do as a B camera operator, Good Morning Vietnam, Quantam of Solace, and much much more.
Gary's IMDB
To see pictures and things we discussed in todays episode check out the podcast page of The Op.
Please check us out on the web and instagram and like us and review us if you enjoyed the episode.
Theme Music - Tatyana Richaud
Theme Mix - Charles Papert

1 hr 52 min
May 15, 2025 Operator Pete Cavaciuti
Join us as we discuss what operators can offer actors, the DP/Director/OPerator Relationship, 1917, and so much more.
Pete's IMDB
To see pictures and things we discussed in todays episode check out the podcast page of The Op.
Please check us out on the web and instagram and like us and review us if you enjoyed the episode.
Theme Music - Tatyana Richaud
Theme Mix - Charles Papert

1 hr 31 min

About The Op

From the publisher's feed

Dave Chameides, an A Cam/Steadicam operator has been working in film since the late 1900s, has won 2 Emmys, an SOC Operator of the Year award for his work on Ozark, and a seriously cool…