Filmtools recently sat down with Michael Frediani, SOC to discuss his nearly 30 year long career as a camera operator. In the ensuing interview, former Society of Camera Operators president and current Board Member expounded on topics as wide-ranging as dealing with long shooting days, challenges in his own career, working with the SOC, advice to aspiring filmmakers and more. Check out the video embedded below.
Michael Frediani absorbed his passion for movies at a young age from his mother Virginia, and counts amongst his classic favorites: Citizen Kane, Best Years of Our Lives, The Godfather and Jesus Christ Superstar. In high school he learned early production skills in media classes and as a weekend employee at KATV in Ketchikan, Alaska. Moving south Frediani earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinema from Columbia College-Hollywood and 5 years later joined Local 659 (600) as a camera assistant.
Frediani was first elected President of the SOC in 1995 and served as Editor-in-Chief of Camera Operator magazine. He has been on the SOC Board of Governors ever since, and has sat on the National Executive Board of International Cinematographers Guild since 2004 as well as edited ICG magazine.
Frediani was elected again as SOC president in 2011. He spends a great deal of time volunteering for various projects at the SOC and is currently teaching an ongoing Camera Operators Workshop. In the past, Frediani has taught seminars at NAB in Las Vegas, Dolly Grip Workshops at Local 80 in Burbank, Operating at the American Film Institute, and worked with actors at Rossi/Snyder Acting Studio, as well as with his own workshop: Survival on Set
Frediani has been a camera operator since 1989 with credits including 2nd unit operator on the feature films Shattered, Hostage, and Underworld. ‘A’ camera credits include LA Law, Charmed, Monk, Mad Men, New Girl, Eastbound & Down and Bones. (See his IMDb)
