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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes143Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmFilm InterviewsVisual ArtsArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Op

Latest Episodes

Rochelle Brown talks about getting into the industry knowing no one, being the best Camera PA you can be, working with her heroes, and making the jump to become a Steadicam operator. This is a great episode for anyone trying to get into the industry ... more

Ferdi and I discus the amazing bond between actor and camera operator, stage acting versus screen acting, Mank, Da Vinci, and so much more.

Ferdis IMDB

To see pictures and things we discussed in todays episode check out the podcast page of The Op. more

BJ shares two influential people in his life.

BJ and I discuss the importance of remembering where you came from, the power of loving what you do, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, The Fall Guy, and so much more.

BJs IMDB

To see pictures and things we discussed in todays episode check out the podcast ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Rochelle Brown
Young steady camera operator, B-camera steady camera operator with a trajectory toward operating
Freelance / Film and TV productions
Episode: Operator Rochelle Brown
BJ McDonnell
Camera operator, Steadicam operator, director
Freelance/Film Industry
Episode: Camera Operator/Director BJ McDonnell
Eric Swanek
First Assistant Camera (First AC), renowned operator
Episode: 1st Assistant Camera Eric Swanek
Michael Fuchs
Operator (Steadicam)
Independent/Film Industry
Episode: Operator Michael Fuchs
William Rexer
Cinematographer and operator on Ann Lee, Jack Ryan, The Get Down, OK Go video
Freelance/Film Industry
Episode: Cinematographer William Rexer
Zoe Goodwin
Camera operator, president of the Association of Camera Operators (ACO)
Association of Camera Operators (ACO)
Episode: Operator Zoe Goodwin
Ronald Guttman
Actor with a prolific career, studied with Lee Strasberg, known for roles in The Hunt for Red October, All My Children, Mad Men, etc.
Actor
Episode: Actor Ronald Guttman
Pete Robertson
Award-winning camera operator with extensive film credits
British film industry (Steadicam pioneer in the UK)
Episode: Operator Peter Robertson
Lisa Sene
Steadicam operator with notable credits including The Blacklist and No Hard Feelings
Episode: Operator Lisa Sene, SOC

Host

Dave Chameides
Host with extensive on-set experience as a camera operator/Steadicam, recognized for long-form industry insight and mentorship.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 201 ratings
  • 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 States16 days ago
  • ❤️

    Love mr. Fuchs

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Miki4801
    United Statesa month ago
  • Amazing Tidbits

    Just came across this podcast and I can’t believe it exists!! The years of experience alone are amazing. This is film school in audio form. A must for anyone who wants to get into the biz. Great stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Picture Mover
    United States3 months ago
  • Really helpful !

    I’m so glad my teacher recommended us this podcast because I can put myself in the shoes of a cinematographer and better understand my role and my job. It’s like getting to learn from the inside of the industry and experiencing these little situation or inconvenience myself.

    As a cinematographer, why would you not want to be associated with some type of content (horror, gore). Ain’t the goal being successful and not miss on opportunities? or is more like a personal thing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    O P KING ༒
    United States3 months ago
  • Cinematography

    This podcast is amazing and is incredible I love how they talk to each other in the podcast .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    #pbsc.maria.felix
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The host's relaxed interview style helps guests share career-defining stories and actionable tips.
Episodes are consistently informative for aspiring operators and seasoned pros alike.
Listeners praise the show as a practical, insider's guide to cinematography and camera operation.
Fans appreciate breakdowns and behind-the-scenes insights that aren't found elsewhere.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#172
United States/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#130
Canada/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#179
United Kingdom/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#61
Australia/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#190
Italy/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#195
Germany/Arts/Visual Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Operator Zoe Goodwin
Q: What mindset did you have when stepping up to Wonka as a B camera operator on a huge production?
She emphasizes honesty about readiness, a strong prep culture, supporting teammates, and proving herself to the team by delivering solid work, while recognizing the importance of choosing projects that match her growth trajectory.
Actor Ronald Guttman
Q: What's the hardest part of maintaining a long career in acting?
The difficulty of staying motivated, avoiding burnout, and continuing to prove oneself while balancing opportunities, auditions, and the evolving industry acceptance of different forms of acting.
2026 BSC Expo Operators Panel
Q: What part of prep do you do before filming begins, and what part of prep do you do each night before you go in the next day?
Panelists discuss the importance of prep, with insights on reading scripts, mapping out shots, and the necessity of having fresh eyes on the set.
Operator Daniel Bishop
Q: What advice on success in this business would you give to operators moving up from B camera to A camera?
Just be a nice person. People always want to work with nice people.
Cinematographer Peter Smokler
Q: What advice would you give to someone getting into the business on how to succeed?
Anything you can do to be on a set, do it. I don't care what it is. Even if it's in production, even if it's in an editing room, all the things that go into making a film are important.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Op

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

The show centers on the craft of visual storytelling from the vantage point of on-set operators and cinematographers, with frequent deep dives into camera work, Steadicam operation, and the evolution of shooting techniques. Episodes highlight behind-the-scenes problem solving, mentorship, collaboration with directors and DPs, and personal journeys—from early technical training to landmark sequences in major films and TV. A standout quality is the host's detailed, experience-led interviewing style that surfaces practical tips, workflow insights, and hard-won lessons from seasoned professionals across film and television.

Listeners can expect a steady stream of expert perspectives from top camera operators and cinematographers, with a focus o... 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.

How many episodes of The Op are there?

The Op launched 3 years ago and published 143 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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What guests have appeared on The Op?

Recent guests on The Op include:

1. Rochelle Brown
2. BJ McDonnell
3. Eric Swanek
4. Michael Fuchs
5. William Rexer
6. Zoe Goodwin
7. Ronald Guttman
8. Pete Robertson

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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