Rephonic
Artwork for The Op
Film Industry
Steadicam
Cinematography
Mentorship
Visual Storytelling
Filmmaking
Camera Operation
Camera Operating
Hollywood
The Bear
Storytelling
Andrew Waite
Acting
Snowfall
Camera Operations
Sneakers
Camera Operators
Emmy Awards
Documentary Filmmaking
Stanley Kubrick

Dave Chameides, an A Cam/Steadicam operator has been working in film since the late 1900s, has won 2 Emmys, 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 storytellers both young and old, (Operators, DPs, Directors, Writers, and beyo... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes159Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Visual ArtsArtsFilm InterviewsTV & Film

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Artwork for The Op

Latest Episodes

Sarah discusses working in reality TV, The Office, The Muppets, how not to destroy a take when you are laughing inside, and so much more.

Sarah's IMDB

Please check us out on the web and instagram and like us and review us if you enjoyed the episod... more

Cinematographer Simon Dennis discusses the voices that helped him along the way.

Simon and I discuss the importance of knowing yourself, shooting on outdated film stock, Peaky Blinders, Hollywood, and so much more.

Simon’s IMDB

Simon’s Reel

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

Nick McLean Sr, one of the biggest operators in the 70s and 80s, talks The Deer Hunter, Heaven Can Wait, Being There, Close Encounters, Hitchcock, and so much more. A huge interview with an incredible amount of Hollywood history that is not to be mis... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sarah Levy
Camera operator and cinematographer whose credits include The Office, The Muppets, and Winning Time.
Episode: Operator Sarah Levy
Simon Dennis
Cinematographer
Episode: That One Voice • Simon Dennis
Nick McLean Sr.
Camera operator and later DP with a long list of credits including The Deer Hunter, Close Encounters, Marathon Man
Episode: DP/Operator Nick McLean Sr
Jason Ellson
Steadicam/Cinematography Operator
Episode: Operator Jason Ellson
Patrick Rousseau
Cinematographer and camera operator with credits including Snowfall, Arrested Development, Mad Men, Fate of the Furious
Episode: DP/Operator Patrick Rousseau
Andrew Mitchell
Director of Photography and former 8-camera Steadicam operator
Director of Photography; worked on Glee, Nip-Tuck, American Horror Story, etc.
Episode: Operator Andrew Mitchell
Matt Lewis
Cinematographer behind Adolescence
Episode: Matt Lewis & Lee David Brown • Adolescence
Lee David Brown
Operator on Adolescence
Episode: Matt Lewis & Lee David Brown • Adolescence
Sanjay Sami
Key grip, dolly grip, Steadicam operator
Industry figure
Episode: Multi Hyphenate Sanjay Sami

Host

Dave Chameides
Host of The Op; veteran A Cam/Steadicam operator with extensive industry experience and Emmy-winning credentials.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 47 ratings
  • Conversations worth having

    As someone who has had the privilege of working alongside Dave Chameides on set, I can tell you that the passion and knowledge he brings to The Op is the real deal.

    Dave sits down with some of the finest talent our industry has to offer, and what comes through in every conversation is a deep love for the craft of visual storytelling. Whether you’re a seasoned operator, an up-and-coming DP, someone just finding their voice as a director, writer, or member of the camera department, there is somet... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Keith Pokorski
    United States4 months ago
  • Awesome Resource!

    The Op is an incredible resource for both seasoned and up and coming operators. Can’t recommend enough!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LarkinM7
    United States4 months ago
  • Great Podcast for Learning About the Film Industry

    This podcast was recommended by my Cinematography professor at Palm Beach State College in West Palm Beach, Florida! I enjoyed listening to the episodes because of the interesting discussions about the behind-the-scenes of working in the film industry. #PBSC #MYPBSC #PalmBeachStateCollege #PantherProud

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EvelynLeyva7498
    United States6 months ago
  • Amazing Resource

    I could never speak highly enough of this podcast.

    I’ve spent 15 years as a camera assistant and my dream has always been to operate. I’ve never found comfort to start making the jump with older ac’s either telling me I can’t or me getting in my own way believing I couldn’t. Dave’s podcast broke down a lot of mental barriers I had. Hearing stories of how people made the jump, dealt with failure, and learned to keep growing has instilled so much confidence in me. While I’ve still got a lot to le... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wil Hu
    United States6 months ago
  • ❤️

    Love mr. Fuchs

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Miki4801
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Mentors and veterans share practical, behind-the-scenes insights that feel like on-set coaching.
The host asks thoughtful questions that unlock tactical tips and personal stories from guests.
Listeners praise the accessible, mentorship-driven approach and high-quality technical discussions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#146
United Kingdom/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#101
Italy/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#161
France/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#189
Germany/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#201
Australia/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#77
Sweden/Arts/Visual Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Operator Sarah Levy
Q: What advice do you have for succeeding in this business?
She advises newer operators to treat everyone with respect and to care for their health through good body mechanics, strength training, adequate sleep, and hydration.
Operator Sarah Levy
Q: How did you get here? What's the story?
Levy describes becoming interested in filmmaking after seeing a movie set near her Pasadena home, studying communications and documentary filmmaking at UC San Diego, working as a production assistant, then focusing on cinematography at USC.
Cinematographer Simon Dennis
Q: How did Peaky Blinders influence your career and approach to cinematography?
Simon explains that Peaky Blinders was a pivotal project that defined a natural, grounded visual language, combining gritty realism with cinematic ambition. Working with director Colm McCarthy and leveraging a strong production design, he learned to balance risk-taking with storytelling needs, which later informed his approach on shows like Doctor Who and Ryan Murphy's productions.
Cinematographer Simon Dennis
Q: What's your story? How did you get into the film industry?
Simon describes starting in art college and film school, discovering cinematography by exploring lighting and camera work on small projects, then getting a break with a Virgin Records music video, which launched a path through low-budget features to TV and bigger productions. He emphasizes early hands-on learning, improvisation with stock, and the importance of persistence and collaboration in advancing his career.
Multi Hyphenate Sanjay Sami
Q: What makes a great Dolly Grip and operator duo on set?
A great duo understands each other's rhythms, uses rehearsal to synchronize moves, and keeps ego out of the way while prioritizing the story.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Op

What is The Op about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on operating and visual storytelling, bringing in camera operators, DPs, directors, and other hands-on film professionals to share career trajectories, on-set realities, and craft-focused insights. Episodes frequently cover mentorship, evolving industry practices, safety, collaboration, and the technical artistry behind shots, from Steadicam and focus pulling to directing and lighting. A standout thread is the emphasis on practical knowledge, mentorship, and resilience, with guests ranging from early-career operators to seasoned cinematographers and directors who offer actionable tips for breaking in, advancing, and telling better stories with a camera. The format often blends personal journeys with concrete on-set examples... more

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Op has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Op?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Op:

1. Team Deakins
2. WHAT WENT WRONG
3. Scriptnotes Podcast
4. Cinemapodgrapher
5. The Plot Thickens

How many episodes of The Op are there?

The Op launched 3 years ago and published 159 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Op from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Op?

Recent guests on The Op include:

1. Sarah Levy
2. Simon Dennis
3. Nick McLean Sr.
4. Jason Ellson
5. Patrick Rousseau
6. Andrew Mitchell
7. Matt Lewis
8. Lee David Brown

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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