The Op

The Op

Dave Chameides, an A Cam/Steadicam op with 35 years experience, 2 Emmy’s, an SOC Operator of the Year award for his work on Ozark, and a seriously cool collection of international toothpicks, brings you The Op, a podcast about Operating and the Art of Visual Storytelling. Geared towards all storytellers (Ops, DPs, Directors, Writers, and beyond) both young and old, every other week the Op will bring you a new interview with some of the best the film industry has to offer. Website and instagram: theop.io

Episodes

July 25, 2025 91 mins

A friend pointed out that most people starting out are not going to jump into camera (if that is their goal) and instead will probably start out as PAs on whatever show they can get on. So today we are talking to Lauren Senger (Key PA), Jeff Sweeney (Key PA) and Ana Pellar (First Team PA) about the dos and don'ts, what to do the moment you park your car on day one, and much much more. Take a peak into the world of the PA and find o...

Mark as Played

On todays podcast we talk to Operator Rochelle Brown, 1st AD Kris Krengel, Key 2nd AD Sarah Gorczyk, and 2nd 2nd AD Jackson Lipps discuss the ins and outs of what it takes to be a good PA. This is a sequel to the first part which can be found here.

Rochelle Browns Podcast we mention can be found 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 i...

Mark as Played
July 17, 2025 79 mins

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...

Mark as Played
July 10, 2025 121 mins

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 - Char...

Mark as Played

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 ...

Mark as Played
June 26, 2025 92 mins

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

 

 

 

Mark as Played
June 19, 2025 120 mins

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...

Mark as Played
June 12, 2025 73 mins

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

 

 

Mark as Played

Cheli thanks a teacher who taught her how to tell stories.

Mark as Played
June 5, 2025 119 mins

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 Rich...

Mark as Played
May 22, 2025 111 mins

Gary and I discuss how to work with a dolly grip who doesn't 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 Pap...

Mark as Played
May 15, 2025 90 mins

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

 

Mark as Played
May 8, 2025 80 mins

Brooks and I discuss working with the incredible John Toll, starting out in music videos, Tropic Thunder, fighting back after an accident and so much more.

Brooks 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

 

Mark as Played
May 1, 2025 107 mins

Des and I discuss operating a remote head through an eyepiece, working with Tim Burton, Beetlejuice 1 and 2, My Left Foot, and so much more.

Des' IMDB

For more links, pics and videos, check out the page for this episode on The Op.

Please check us out on the web and instagram and like us if you enjoyed the episode.

Theme Music - Tatyana Richaud

Mark as Played
April 23, 2025 79 mins

Liz and I discuss the physical issues of operating and how you can protect your self, learning to work smarter and not harder, No Country for Old Men, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and so much more.

Liz’s IMDB

Liz’s Website

Liz’s Instagram

Keir Dullea before/after

NYTimes Air Ho...

Mark as Played
April 17, 2025 111 mins

Join us as we discuss the work of the Union, what to look for in a good operator, Field of Dreams, Sneakers, ABC After School Specials and so much more.

John's IMDB

The Local 600 video that John made on the Dangers of Unsafe Hours

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 Mus...

Mark as Played
April 10, 2025 90 mins

Alex and I discuss the art of the long take, growing up as a film geek, what he looks for in an operator, West Wing, Game of Thrones, and so much more.

Alex's IMDB

For more links, pics and videos, check out the page for this episode on The Op.

Please check us out on the web and instagram and like us if you enjoyed the episode.

Theme Music - Tatyana Richau...

Mark as Played
April 3, 2025 164 mins

Larry and I discuss justifying camera moves, working with the extras, GoodFellas, Raising Cain, working with Martin Scorcese and Brian DePalma and so much more.

Larry’s Amazing IMDB

Larry’s Website

Check out Larry's Breakdowns of shots from Carlitos Way, Bonfire of the Vanities, and Raising Cain

For more...

Mark as Played
March 27, 2025 75 mins

Jan and I discuss the role of the sound mixer, getting your start as a roadie/opening act, Happyish, Nurse Jackie, the joys of mixing a middle school play and so much more.

Jan'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

...
Mark as Played
March 20, 2025 117 mins

Listen in as Roy describes one of the most amazing introductions to this industry that I've ever heard. We'll talk about James Wong Howe, Harry Stradling, Ansel Adams, Party of Five, Cop Rock and so much more.

Roy'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 - Tatya...

Mark as Played

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