Alf Tramontin
Posted September 2011
What are you working at the moment?
I am working on a feature film called Gravity. A 3D space film directed by Alfonso Cuaron starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney
What were your initial steps into the industry?
I joined the BBC in the early 80s as a trainee camera operator
Steadicam was invented by Garrett brown in the 1976. When did it arrive to these shores and how did you become involved?
One of the earliest films shot in the UK involving steadicam was The Shinning in 1980. I was based in BBC Manchester in 1989 and the BBC wanted a staff cameraman that was proficient on steadicam. The BBC sent me on the Optex UK steadicam course tutored by Ted Churchill. Once on the course I realised that this was an area of camera operating I wanted to specialise in.
What was the take up in the early days and who could afford to use it? Was there a watershed moment for the steadicam in UK production?
I left the BBC in 1990 and went freelance working with steadicam on TV projects like Prime Suspect, Cracker, Pride & Prejudice, Morse etc. Around that time many directors wanted this new style of shooting and almost every TV drama had a steadicam shot in it. Period TV drama’s took off in a big way in the 90’s, I've lost count how many times I've walked backwards down the streets of Lacock and Stamford shooting a two shot of a couple walking down a busy street or the usual ball/dance sequence. It was expensive for TV producers but the budgets in those days could cover it.
The job is physically demanding, what is the maximum weight of the kit and what is the most grueling part of what you do. How do you take care of yourself and the stresses that are placed on the body?
Over the last couple of years film cameras have gradually been phased out. Heavier cabled digital cameras are now the norm, and recently 3D camera rigs can get up to 100 lbs. The hardest part of the job I find is getting the correct rate for the amount of equipment I provide. I swim a lot and try and try to eat sensibly.
You’ve worked on hundreds of films and commercials, what sequence or shot stands out for you and why?
I do hate long boring steadicam shots but I did shoot a couple I enjoyed in the Harry Potter movies
Not only are you a huge Manchester united fan, you are also the first name for steadicam at live sporting events. Can you tell us what you cover and what your most memorable moment was?
I work mainly for Sky Sports shooting Premier League and Champions League matches. I love the contrast in techniques between shooting features/commercials where we have the control to move actors etc and shoot as many times as needed, to live TV where there is no control and have to go with the flow. Many memorable moments including David Beckhams free kick against Greece for the World Cup Qualifier, Liverpool v AC Milan European Cup final in Istanbul, Man Utd v Chelsea penalty shoot out Champions League final, plus a dozen Manchester United Premier League Trophy lifts.
As a united fan, you must have felt disappointed with Wayne Rooney’s famous outburst into your camera. Can you tell us what happened in the aftermath?
I did shoot the Rooney outburst as well as the Drogba one. Many people in the media insisted that I said something to him to egg him on. I quite often talk to the players to get a reaction but in this case neither I or my assistant said nothing to him. We appeared in the papers almost every day the following week and Sky released a clip from another camera at the venue proving we didn’t say anything.
Did you get an apology?
No, Rooney or Man Utd did not apologise
Moving on, There’s a new wave of technology involving the Steadicam, what do you think the future will hold?
I don’t think the steadicam can change too much. There have been one or two inventions like the AR and the Tango which are attempts to try and expand shots achieved by a regular steadicam but with the introduction of digital cameras and 3D, weight at the camera head is still the big issue.
Which film or filmmaker would you most like to work with (that you haven’t already)?
I don’t really have a filmmaker in mind I would like to work with that I haven’t already. Spielberg was always on my list but I believe his shoots are just manic.
You can see all of Alf's credits and contact him for work by visiting his page here.