It’s already time to say goodbye to 2023, so let’s take a quick look back at this unique year in Hollywood and the world abroad.
After countless delays, I finally received my ARRI Alexa 35 camera from AbelCine. The new sensor is absolutely stunning and this promo for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 marked my first gig with the camera. I’m in love and can’t wait to spend hours and hours together.
Even though I’ve known NYC based Director, Aubrey Smyth, for over six years, our filmmaking relationship officially commenced in March on a four-city adventure for AT&T’s My Connection series. Josef Martínez’s episode featured a visually striking location even though the reflections made life difficult for my crew and me. Aside from fun shoots with world-class soccer players, we enjoyed deep dish pizza in Chicago, hit the beach before work in Hillsboro, Florida, found delicious vegan food in Houston, and ate around the world at Epcot Center in Orlando. I’m also grateful to have met the wonderful Producer Jamie Tubbs on this gig.
I first met Reza Bird (pictured above) in January of this year thanks to Staff Me Up. This photo is from our second collaboration: a deeply personal documentary about his journey as an Iranian American filmmaker. Here he is conducting an interview in Silicon Valley, but we also travelled to Washington DC and Seattle for the project.
Director Paul B. Cummings reassembled the core team behind our Guardians of the Galaxy promo for Pixar’s Elemental. Here he is directing Elyse Mirto at a yoga-studio-turned-therapist-office. I really love how this turned out as it highlights the comedic chops of Paul and Elyse and our art department really nailed the vibe when they completely transformed the set from yoga studio to therapist office.
I don’t take vacations often, but for once it paid off with dividends! Aubrey knew that I wasn’t far from New York City when a commercial for Atlantic Airways surfaced. Not only did we get another chance to collaborate in 2023, but I found a cheaper flight home! Iris made a slick cameo, but the scene remained on the cutting room floor.
While you don’t see Baxter Camera Works’s Motocrane in this shot, rest assured we utilized it to the fullest on this shoot for Jordi Matsumoto’s documentary on Tesla. Running footage is always a thrill and trekking up to Bishop made for a special experience. We paired my Alexa 35 with Jordi’s Zeiss Supreme Radiance Primes for optimal results.
A recap of 2023 would be incomplete without a shot from the picket lines. Iris and I spent some hot days in solidarity with our union brothers and sisters during this epically long labor dispute. My friend Olivia Schlichting (far left) who has worked tirelessly to organize music supervisors into a guild informed me that local legends Silversun Pickups were playing an acoustic set at Disney Studios.
Since Ari Somerfield and I first collaborated last summer on the short film, Richard’s Roast, we’ve become good friends. Eager to make another film together, we brainstormed ideas that centered around our shared veganism. The film’s plot took many twists and turns before landing where it is today. We eagerly await the fate of Gracie Turns 15 on the world’s festival circuit in 2024.
This photo is from my third collaboration in two years with OFFICIAL and Disney shooting content for their Princess YouTube channel. I love this gig because it gives me real credibility with my Niece, Ella. Like most young kids, she’s obsessed with all things Disney. On this round in November, we didn’t suffer in the sweltering heat of the Burbank summer for once. I also got to utilize my FX9, which cuts quite well with the FS7s.
Director/DP Mark James has built an impressive body of work in the virtual production world. He’s brought me onto some really interesting gigs over the years, but this one takes the cake. I’m so thankful he entrusted me to join him shooting the new segment, “TNF Table Talk” for the Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football broadcasts. Our first day together served as a master class on shooting on the volume where I served as his camera operator. The following week, I was in charge. Unfortunately, there weren’t many adjustments for me to make and we stayed on the “TNF Studio” set the whole day. You can watch one of the futuristic segments below.
Thanks to each and every one of you who made this past year special. I look forward to seeing some of your highlights in the comments section below. Let’s make some great things in 2024. If you’re interested in more, then please check out my updated reels fresh and ready for the new year.
For an extended trip down memory lane, here are links to the ten previous yearly recaps: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013. What’s your favorite shot of the bunch?
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