Insight Photo courtesy of Rob Crombie
ROD CROMBIE, SOC What was one of your most challenging shot or challenging day in the industry? There have been many challenging shots, but one really sticks out. I was brought out as a daily Steadicam operator on a show, Rebound, The Legend of Earl ‘The Goat’ Manigault, and the shot was to do a step-off from a 30’ crane into the middle of a basketball game, chase the ball down the court, lead the ball back up the court for the winning basket and then step back onto the crane as the crowd goes crazy. The intricacies of the shot required 15 takes to get six good ones. What is the job you have yet to do but most want to do? I would like to try underwater operating. It would be a completely new challenge for me. Credits: Schitt’s Creek, The Beaverton, The Stanley Dynamic, Nikita, Lost Girl
RICK DAVISON, SOC What was one of your most challenging shot or challenging day in the industry? Any shot walking backwards in front of Claire Danes. She’s like a gazelle! What would be the most important improvement you would like to see in our industry? I would like to see our industry adopt the 10-hour workday introduced by Marvel. You basically end up being paid for a 12-hour day because of all the meal penalties. You get to have a life and it’s a safer schedule for our crews. Credits: Being a Dad, Black Widow: Atlanta Unit, Palmer, Raising Dion, Homeland Photo by Traci Chartier
SCOTT DROPKIN, SOC
Photo by Parrish Lewis
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What was one of your most challenging shot or challenging day in the industry? One of my most challenging shots was while I was on a movie in New Mexico. We spent the whole day on one shot. It started on a vehicle moving down a city street, then it became a hand-held shot following our actors getting out of their car and into a bank where there was a shoot-out and a robbery. What is your most memorable day in the industry? One of my most memorable was days in the industry was completing the above-mentioned shot. Anytime production plans to spend the entire day on one shot always makes things a little more nerve racking. But when everything comes together (camera, actors, SFX) there is always a great feeling of accomplishment. Credits: Yellowstone, Animal Kingdom, Chicago P.D., Drunk History, The Chi
SOCIETY OF CAMERA OPERATORS · SOC.ORG