The Society of Camera Operators (SOC) tonight announced winners of the Camera Operator of the Year Awards in film and television. Peter Taylor, ACO, SOC, won Camera Operator of the Year in Feature Film for “Gravity.” His counterpart on the TV side was Don Devine, SOC, for “Mad Men.”
Honors were bestowed during a black-tie event in Herscher Hall at the Skirball Cultural Center. The event took place before an audience of 500, including SOC and International Cinematographer Guild (ICG) members, industry executives and press. SOC VP and Awards executive producer David Frederick, SOC, presided over the event with emcee Bruce Carse. All proceeds from the show are donated to the Vision Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The honor was accepted by Dr. Thomas Lee, director of the Retinal Center.
A special In Memoriam tribute to Sarah Jones, the 27-year-old assistant camerawoman killed by a train while filming Midnight Rider on February 20, was included in the evening’s proceedings. Frederick, former SOC president Dan Kneece, and SOC VP Mark August presented an honorary associate membership certificate to Jones’ parents, Richard and Elizabeth, to a standing ovation.
Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, previously announced, included Chris Haarhoff, SOC, Camera Operator, presented by Colin Anderson; Bill Coe, Camera Technician, presented by Steve Campanelli; Barry Wetcher, SMPSP, Still Photographer, presented by Will Gluck; Jack Carpenter, Mobile Camera Platform Operator, presented by Duncan Henderson. The Distinguished Service Award was given to the founder of Filmtools, Inc., Stan McClain, SOC, presented by Michael Frediani. Leonard Chapman, founder of Chapman-Leonard Studio Equipment, received the President’s Award, presented by SOC President Chris Tufty. Accepting the Technical Achievement Awards were president Tom Hallman, on behalf of Pictorvision, presented by McClain, and Dave Grober, founder and president, on behalf of Motion Picture Marine, presented by David Emmerichs. The honor for Historical Shot went to J. Michael Muro for his zip line shot in “The Mighty Quinn,” presented by Jerry Holway.
Guests included ICG president Steven Poster, ICG national executive director Bruce Doering, SOC president Chris Tufty, president of Local 871 Michele Tedlis Sorbo, and president of Local 80 Russell Nordstedt. Richard Crudo, president of the American Society of Cinematographers, presented the Camera Operator of the Year Awards.
