Me in Place

I thought we’d start a new series here on MIP – Interviews with Cool People. (Okay, so that’s the title until I can think of a better name. Maybe Cool Interviews with People?) So, first up is my bro-in-law, David, who has a very cool job. Please give a hearty welcome to… David!
David is a television camera operator. He travels around covering mostly sporting events, but with the occasional entertainment show or political event peppered in.

Me In Place (MIP): As a cameraman, do you always use the same camera? Or are you trained on several? Because I listen so raptly at family dinners, I know you operate a robotic camera…How does that work? You’re not in the same room as the action? Have you done the camera on wires that go across the football field or did I make that up?

DF: A robotic camera is meant to be used in one of two scenarios: 1. Where a regular camera cannot go; on top of an NBA shot clock, for instance, or 2. Where a camera and its operator would be too obtrusive or distracting, like on a stage behind a band’s drum kit. Either way, I operate them from an out of the way position close by. I use different types of cameras in different situations. I have not personally operated the wired cam, Skycam is what they call it. I have done crane arms, rail cameras, but mostly I do pan/tilt heads in funky positions.

MIP: What was your first sporting event you did? What sports have you done?

DF: The first event I ever covered was a NASCAR race in Atlanta. I was scared I wouldn’t do a good job, and that it would be a short career. The race went okay, though, and when I got back, I had an almost immediate transition to live television events. Today, I have done MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, MLS Soccer, International Soccer, X Games, World Swimming Championships, The Olympics [Sydney], The NCAA Men’s & Women’s Final Four as well as shows and events like Emeril Live, The Republican National Convention of 2004, and President Gerald Ford’s funeral. I also do concerts: Pearl Jam, Matchbox Twenty, Nickelback, Steve Miller, Collective Soul, Live Aid and others

MIP: What was the coolest event you’ve done?

DF: That’s really a tough call. I would have to say that working the Summer Olympics in Australia for 10 weeks in 2000 probably ranks the highest. My work has allowed me access to some pretty exclusive opportunities. I still giggle like a schoolgirl sometimes.

MIP: Who are your robotic cam influences? Is there a trade mag like, Robotic
Cams Today or something? How do you keep up with the changing technology?

DF: My influences include but are not limited to: The Robot from Lost in Space, Hymie from Get Smart. I think Wall E has some good qualities, but he’s untested. I did get my picture in Extreme Video Magazine, hovering over a rail camera we had crashed into a camera guy’s head. Not my best moment.

MIP: Can I call you Mr Roboto?

DF: You wouldn’t be the first. I just joke that I’m thirsty for some WD-40. I need to work on my comebacks.

MIP: Were you always into camera/video work? (I mean, were you interested in
this when you were a kiddo?) How did you first get into it?

DF: I really developed my love for cameras as a teenager. I enjoyed taking still pictures with my trusty Pentax K1000. I’m not saying I took decent pictures, but I enjoyed the art of composition. When I went to college, I started to get involved with the campus closed circuit TV crowd as well as some independent projects with friends. That’s when my love for video was formed. Lots of people kind of work their way into production or some other part of the industry, but in live events, it’s the camera guys who help control the nuance of the story through movement and framing. Plus it’s just more fun. If I couldn’t do camera, I wouldn’t be in TV.

MIP: So, now to the Emmy! It’s a little strange to see Ms. Emmy sitting in your house – not everyone has those lying about, you know. When were you awarded it? Can I have it?

DF: I thought I sent you one. I’ll have to check the tracking number. I did get an Emmy on what I believe was my fourth show ever. It was the 1997 NFL Draft. The category was Outstanding Technical Team-Studio. When I found out, I just laughed. It wasn’t a great show, but I will take it anyway. I got my Emmy before Susan Lucci got hers. When she finally won in 1999, I stopped ribbing her about it.

MIP: I’m thinking I know some girls that would have loved to be you in that picture with the Jonas Bros! What other celebrities have you run into?

DF: I literally ran into Meg Ryan once. She was coming out of the restroom at a Lakers game. It’s no secret that I have had a crush on her since When Harry Met Sally. I swooned. I also stalked Bono twice. I was at the show in Chicago on his birthday in 2005 when they shot the Vertigo DVD. We had robotics on the show, and though I was not hired (I was on the NBA playoffs in Phoenix at the time), in between games I bought my own ticket home to see the sound check (me and my friend Steve were the only ones in the ellipse as they played. WOW!), and then I stayed for the show. During the sound check, Bono’s body guard eventually came over and asked if we needed to be there (we were literally at Bono’s feet). We said no, and so he asked us to skedaddle. I think we were creeping Bono out. Carol, my wife, already had tickets to the show with her friend who had flown in from Dallas, and they had inadvertently been upgraded to the John Belushi suite at the House of Blues Hotel. I had planned on going home to do laundry, but I never made it. I was in Chicago for a mere 18 hours before going back to do the NBA game. That was time well spent.

The second time I stalked Bono was at the Monday Night Football reopening of the Superdome in New Orleans. U2 played The Saints Are Marching with Green Day. Our setup day consisted mostly of watching them rehearse from the base of the stage.

MIP: What’s your favorite U2 album or song?

DF: Right now, Electrical Storm is playing on a loop in my head. I always go back and forth on my favorites. Dirty Day is one of my all time favorite songs off of Zooropa, which is probably my favorite album, today.

Other highlights: Mr. T, Alyssa Milano, Jet Li, the Jonas Brothers, and Peter Garrett from Midnight Oil….

MIP: This week, you’re doing the Republican Convention, right? Where can we see
your camera work? Is it still a robotic camera that you use?

DF: Yes, I am doing the RNC this year. We will have three robotic cameras, two of which will be on the sides of the stage at the convention. I don’t know about the other one yet. We are also setting up a “death watch” camera on a parking structure outside of the arena in case the arena gets attacked. That way the powers that remain can investigate what happened. Morbid, but fascinating.

MIP: What’s your favorite Starbucks drink?

DF: I always used to order a triple tall Americano, for which I was charged an Americano plus an extra shot. I have since learned that it is cheaper to order a grande Americano (same number of shots), and have them put it in a tall cup. Boy that throws some baristas. But it’s about $.55 cheaper.

MIP: It’s know on this blog that you’re the one that uh…crushed my Bob Costas sportscaster uh…crush. If I can’t like Bob Costas, can you give me some other options – are there any funny, nice sportscasters out there? Athletes?

DF: Kevin Harlan is one of the nicest Sportscasters out there. He does our TNT NBA show, and he also does March Madness for CBS. He’s just a genuine guy. Athletes? I like Shaq a lot. He would sit down and watch us play video games in our down time. He is a big kid. Yao Ming is a very polite guy. You can like Bob Costas if you want. I think he did a pretty good job with the Olympics this year, even though he is a bit of a weenie to the crew. Can I say that?

MIP: Sure. Say it. Thanks so much for allowing me to interview you. Get Sean Hannity’s autograph for me this week!

And now for the contest!

Here’s what you have to do: Put a comment on this post welcoming David to Me In Place, or ask David a question or tell him he’s the coolest camera operator you’ve ever met and you’ll be entered.

Here’s what you could win: A couple giveaway items from the Republican Convention. Since the swag tables have not yet been scoped out, we can’t tell you exactly what it will be – but it will be something fun and unique. Contest ends at midnight on Thursday evening and then we’ll pick a random comment as our winner!

*not sure about David, but I’m not necessarily endorsing the Republican candidates… it’s just where he happens to be this week and we thought it would be a fun giveaway!

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