2012Operating forum
Personality traits and professional conduct valued in steadicam operating work
14 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- Establishing consistent routines and rituals on set reduces stress and projects competence to the crew.
- Reading the emotional tone and needs of directors and cinematographers, then mirroring that approach, improves working relationships.
- Maintaining steady blood sugar through protein intake prevents irritability and poor decision-making during long shooting days.
- Docking the rig between takes to conserve energy is a strategic choice that improves shot quality and crew perception.
- Approaching requests from production calmly and professionally rather than with complaint or anger maintains credibility and leads to better treatment on future projects.
- Physical fitness and willingness to wear the rig for extended periods can be a marketable skill that some productions specifically hire for.
- Different directors and cinematographers have varying expectations for operator personality, from quiet execution to active problem-solving participation.
- Humility and avoiding excessive ego creates better working relationships than assertiveness based on technical skill alone.
Depends on
- Discussion centers on steadicam operating specifically; applicability to other camera work is unclear.
- Advice draws from individual experience and anecdotes rather than systematic research.
- Some participants noted personality assessment varies by crew perspective, suggesting no universal standard exists.
- Disagreement about optimal rig docking strategy suggests context-dependency based on shoot type and budget level.