As 1st Assistant "A" Camera, I'm responsible for the 3D rigs and cameras working, coordinating different units, prepping gear movement, as well as making sure everything stays in focus. The greatest challenge in my job is the technology that integrates all of our systems, including the camera itself, Simulcam, lighting that is slave to timecodes, and 3D systems. None of these can operate independently, so anyone dealing with these individually must have knowledge of the whole. I got my start in the film business working at a camera rental house in Auckland, New Zealand, and later worked on the first Avatar. What’s been exciting about now working on the sequels is seeing how Jim has developed Pandora, with both the returning and new characters. When I saw the first film in theaters, I noticed a huge cross section of people at the cinema, people from every walk of life filled it to capacity and loved the film, and no film has recreated that experience since.
Q&A
What's surprising about your job?
There is no such thing as autofocus.....yet.
Favorite memory from the first Avatar?
Shooting the battle sequence on the backlot at Stone St, the Samson, the gunfire, the amazing stunt work. It was a mind blowing night.
What's a fun fact about yourself?
I have never completed a Rubik's cube.
