Earning Camera Operator of the Year distinction in Film and Television on Saturday night (2/15) at the Society of Camera Operators (SOC) Lifetime Achievement Awards were, respectively, P. Scott Sakamoto, SOC for A Complete Unknown, and Scott Dropkin, SOC for the Yellowstone episode “Life is a Promise.” The latter recognition was shared with Abby Linne, SOC, “B” camera operator, and Jed Seus, “C” camera operator.
Sakamoto, SOC topped a group of film nominees consisting of: Bianca Butti for Challengers, with Terrence Hayes, “B” camera operator and Patrick Quinn, “C” camera operator; Michael Fuchs, SOC for Wolfs, with Rebecca Rajadnya, “B” camera operator (NY), and Keith Dunkerley, “B” camera operator (L.A.); Karsten Bloch Jacobsen, DFF for Wicked, with Simon Finney, GBCT, ACO, “B” camera operator; and David J. Thompson, SOC for Civil War, with Hugh Braselton, “B” camera operator.
In addition to Dropkin, the nominees for Camera Operator of the Year in Television were Sam Ellison, SOC for The Penguin episode “Cent’Anni” with Eli Aronoff, SOC, “B” camera operator; Michael Fuchs, SOC for the Mr. & Mrs. Smith episode “First Date” with Rebecca Rajadnya, “B” camera operator; Chris Haarhoff, SOC for the Fallout episode “The End” with Robert Campbell, “B” camera operator; and Gary Malouf for The Bear episode “Tomorrow” with Chris Dame, “B” camera operator.
Hundreds of guests, nominees, and decorated industry leaders attended the awards ceremony at the Loews Hollywood Hotel. Following the recent devastation of the Los Angeles wildfire last month, this year’s SOC Lifetime Achievement Awards placed a special focus on honoring those who have made a significant impact during the events. The Governors’ Award was presented to the Los Angeles County Fire Department Air Operations Section, recognizing their heroic efforts in containing wildfires through strategic water drops. The President’s Award honored James Ramos, KTLA sr. staff news videographer, and John Schreiber, CBS Los Angeles photojournalist, for their exceptional frontline coverage.
“On behalf of all of us at the SOC, congratulations to our Camera Operators of the Year and all of tonight’s honorees. Your artistry and dedication to the craft are truly inspiring,” said Matthew Moriarty, SOC president. “This year’s awards not only celebrate excellence in our field, but also recognize the courage of our first responders and the dedication of visual storytellers who document history as it unfolds.”
The two-day award weekend commenced with the Honoree & Nominee Reception on Friday (2/14), a casual yet prestigious gathering that brought together nominees, honorees, and industry peers to celebrate their collective contributions to the art of camera operation. The event was free for all members thanks to a generous donation from FUJIFILM.
The SOC’s second annual art exhibition, Capturing the Spirit: Evocative Moments on Screen, was open both nights of the awards weekend, offering attendees an exclusive opportunity to view and acquire one-of-a-kind works by renowned photographers and past SOC Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees: Phillip V. Caruso, Murray Close, Francois Duhamel, and Ralph Nelson. Made possible in part through the support of FUJIFILM, the collection featured iconic photographs capturing a broad spectrum of unforgettable moments on screen.
In addition to celebrating the achievements of exceptional filmmakers and crews, the SOC Awards also welcomed Dr. Jesse Berry from the Vision Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to the stage, recognizing the SOC’s ongoing support of the hospital, including the production of fundraising videos that help drive vital contributions to pediatric vision care.
