The Society of Camera Operators (SOC) revealed and honored the recipients of Camera Operator of the Year in Film and Television during the 2023 SOC Lifetime Achievement Awards held on Saturday evening (2/25) at the Loews Hollywood Hotel.
Daniel Bishop, SOC | ASSOC BSC | ACO took home the title of Camera Operator of the Year in Film for his work on All Quiet on the Western Front. Bishop topped a talented group of nominees in the film category, including Lukasz Bielan (Bullet Train); Mitch Dubin, SOC with “B” camera/Steadicam operator Colin Anderson, SOC (The Fabelmans); Jason Ellson, SOC (Elvis); Geoffrey Haley, SOC (The Gray Man); and Ari Robbins, SOC (Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths).
Dave Chameides, SOC and “B” Camera Operator Cristian Trova, were awarded Camera Operator of the Year in Television for their work on Ozark, S 4 Ep 14, “A Hard Way to Go”. The TV category nominees included multiple collaborative teams: Sam Ellison, SOC with camera operator Stanley Fernandez (Severance, S 1 Ep 3, “In Perpetuity”); Sarah Levy, SOC with “B” camera/Steadicam operator, Dominic Bartolone, SOC, “C” camera operator, Justin Cameron, SOC, and roller cam operator, John Lyke (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, S 1 Ep 5, “Pieces of a Man”); Gary Malouf with “B” camera operator, Chris Dame (The Bear, S1 Ep7, “The Review”); Jarrett Morgan, SOC (Atlanta, S 3 Ep 5, “Cancer Attack”); and Paul Sanchez with “B” camera operator Hilton Goring (The Old Man, S 1 Ep 1, “I”).
Guests, nominees, and decorated industry leaders were among the hundreds who attended the SOC Awards, which returned to an in-person event for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. A first for the awards, the SOC announced six nominees for Camera Operator of the Year in both the Film and Television categories; and for a second year, the SOC expanded nominations to include collaborative efforts and teams of operators.
“Artistically and creatively, it has been an incredible year for film and television–just look at the amazing series, shows, and movies these operators brought to life,” shared George Billinger, SOC president. “On behalf of the SOC I want to congratulate all the nominees and recipients for their incredible efforts- thank you for sharing your talent with all of us. Your craft is truly astonishing.”
During the awards, Oscar-nominated (The Banshees of Inisherin) actor Colin Farrell was honored with the Governors Award, and ARRI Inc. and Hudson Spider accepted SOC Technical Achievement Awards. The Gordon Parks Foundation was also recognized during the awards for Parks’ leadership and pioneering of social justice.
In addition to celebrating the achievements of the exceptional filmmakers and crews, the SOC Awards Celebration proudly welcomed Dr. Thomas Lee from the Vision Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to center stage to salute to the success of the SOC’s continued support, including filming the charity’s fundraising videos.
