The Society of Camera Operators (SOC) has bestowed Camera Operator of the Year in Film honors upon Mitch Dubin, SOC, and “B” camera John “Buzz” Moyer, SOC for West Side Story. The recipients of Camera Operator of the Year in Television are Manolo Rojas, SOC, and “B” camera Pauline Edwards, SOC for an episode of Snowfall. The award recipients were celebrated by industry peers and colleagues during the virtual 2022 Society of Camera Operators Awards Celebration on Saturday (3/5).
Hundreds of viewers from around the globe tuned in to the annual SOC Awards Celebration on Saturday evening. For the first time, the SOC expanded nominations to include collaborative efforts and teams of operators, allowing both “A” camera operators and “A” and “B” camera operator teams the chance to be recognized.
Dubin, SOC, and “B” camera John “Buzz” Moyer, SOC, took home the title of Camera Operator of the Year in Film for their work on West Side Story. The duo topped a talented group of nominees in the film category, including Gilles Corbeil, SOC (Nightmare Alley); Matthew Moriarty, SOC (A Quiet Place Part II); David Thompson, SOC, with “B” camera Ian Seabrook, SOC (Finch); and Mike Heathcote, SOC (The Many Saints of Newark).
Rojas, SOC, and “B” camera Edwards, SOC, were awarded Camera Operator of the Year in Television for their work on Snowfall, S4, Episode 8, "Betrayal." The TV category nominees included multiple collaborative teams: Mick Froehlich, SOC, with Remi Tournois, SOC (Hawkeye, S1, Episode 3, "Echoes"); Timothy Muir Spencer with “B” camera Mike McEveety (For All Mankind, S2, Episode 10, "The Grey"); Reid Russell, SOC, with “B” camera Jan Ruona, SOC (Blindspotting, S1, Episode 1, "The Ordeal"); and Gregor Tavenner with “B” camera Alan Pierce, SOC (Succession, S3, Episode 7, "Too Much Birthday").
During the virtual celebration, the award-winning and versatile actor, producer, and director Danny DeVito was honored with the Governors Award, and Motion Impossible/AGITO Remote Dolly Systems and Cinema Devices/Ergorig System accepted SOC Technical Achievement Awards.
The SOC Awards Celebration also welcomed Dr. Thomas Lee from the Vision Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to center screen to salute to the success of the SOC’s continued support, including filming the charity’s fundraising videos.
Following the Awards Celebration, guests, nominees, and award recipients were invited to virtual after-parties. Hosted by nominees, the after-parties were held in multiple breakout rooms, allowing attendees to not only chat (virtually) with the breakout room host, but also with others in attendance.
