IAmA camera operator, you may know my work from Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs. AMA

Was "Dirty Jobs camera operator" ever pitched as the subject for an episode of Dirty Jobs?

It should have been. Every time I saw Mike climbing down the ladder into some wretched shithole, there was always a shot of him from below, meaning you guys got in there first.

Thanks for all the entertainment!

We've done a couple behind the scenes episodes showing what the crew goes through. That probably comes the closest.

I have a crush on Mike Rowe. Can you set us up on a date?

I said cameraman...not pimp... =)

Were you around in the episode of Dirty Jobs where the monkeys started attacking everyone? Any good story on that?

I wasn't but know that Chris, the guy who was actually bite by the monkey, was 36 hours away from having to amputate his leg. Crazy.

Any situations during filming that you really regretted your decision to not call in to work that day sick?

Honestly, no. Who wants to sit around at home?

Before I dropped my satellite service, Dirty Jobs was one of my favorite shows, but I noticed there was a stretch when then jobs weren't so "Dirty". Have there been times you show up to and it really doesn't seem that interesting? And if so, does Mike just make the best of it?

Everywhere we show up I find interesting. The job it's self may not be the most interesting, but the people we work with always are. It's nice to see how different people live in different parts of the country/world...

Did you ever feel that any of your work (or any footage at all from a shoot) was edited for the final show in a way that was misrepresentative of the actual events?

Yeah, that happens a lot but more with the reality type shows... not the documentary types.

What's the most incredible thing you've seen that didn't make it onto television?

Also! Has there ever been something really great that happened while shooting that you didn't manage to catch on film, but wish you did?

We were recently in Darwin, Australia shooting a story catching crocodiles way up a river late at night. Once we finished the shoot, we had a 45min boat ride back to the cars. During the trip up the river, a full moon rose over the horizon in a perfect place dead center of the water, right in front of our boat. It was incredible. We all sat silent in the boat admiring. Maybe that's just the hiker in me talking...

Every single day on the set of Dirty Jobs something really great happens that isn't caught on tape... There are no second takes on that show and a lot of stuff happening. We catch as much as we possibly can...

Some prosumer cameras now have an "always running" DVR-like mode where you can hit a button and "save" the previous X seconds as a pre-recording that's stuck onto the start of what you are recording. The stuff you shoot seems like a perfect application for the broadcast-grade version of that system - do you have that currently or do you know if that sort of camera is on the horizon (er, so to speak)?

Our 900s have that feature, up to 5 seconds of pre record. It's saves the day sometimes.

That's really awesome to know that there are no second takes. I mean, for some reason I trusted Dirty Jobs to function that way, but it's awesome to be reassured. Thanks for your service! Always wanted to express that the people watching feel for you.

Thanks you for watching!

Most nasty thing you've seen/smelled on dirty jobs? What is Mike Rowe like? How did you do the things bear grylls did while holding a camera? What is Bear Grylls like?

Rotting pig carcasses. We shot a story in Northern Indiana on bug entomology that involved several pigs in different levels of decay. The worst had been kept in a trash bin for several weeks. It was a liquid mush. I will never forget the smell.

Mike is as nice and down to earth in real life as he seems on TV. He does everything the right way...which I respect.

Worst Case wasn't too demanding of a show as say, Man v Wild. I also didn't operate on that show, so I had the luxury of sitting back and watch Bear do his thing.

Bear is a firecracker of energy. Very nice guy, always down for some laughs.

Is Mike Rowe as funny off camera as he is on the show?

Funnier

If given the opportunity, would you film for the Deadliest Catch? Why/Why not?

Yes. The difficulty of the shoot intrigues me.

Dirty Jobs seems to have seriously run out of ideas (if its even still on anymore) True or False?

True. It's difficult when you've done over 300 jobs to find new jobs that aren't like the pervious ones you've done before. There will be some new international episodes soon.

International dirty jobs? Where they don't have the same labor or environmental laws the USA does? Could be epic and/or dangerous...

There will be some international specials from Australia. The land down under!

Awesome AMA! I have a couple.

1. Some of the outtakes of Dirty Jobs shows Mike giving you guys a pretty hard time or insisting that some of the guys participate in whatever crazy thing he's doing. What's the most awful Dirty Jobs segment you were involved in?

2. On the shows like Worst Case Scenario and Man/Woman/Wild, how much "real" stuff are we actually seeing? Does Bear actually hack up trees to make a ladder or a raft, or are materials brought in for him to work with? Also, do they really just find holes in rocks and spend the night there with a hand-held camera?

Thanks!

1. Any job that we are filming in Florida. That humidity is terrible!

2. In both shows, the cast really do it. There are some shortcuts taken for production purposes, but that is to speed up the process and be more efficient. Hypothetical example, the Hawkes need 30 trees to be cut down to build a hut for the night. They themselves cut down ten while we film the process and get enough footage to get the point across to the viewer. Once that's done, cameras go down and everyone helps out to cut down the remaining trees until we hit the 30.

In Man/Woman/Wild, what was the kind of "safety net" you guys had to fall back on if something went wrong? Besides you and the two hosts of the show, who else was there?

We had a medic out there with us. He was legit. I never felt unsafe.

Were you shooting for that episode where Mike had to go into the sewage treatment plant and they had to keep leaving because of toxic gas buildup? It was the one where a camera guy got left at the bottom of a shaft and they hoisted a shit-covered pump and shit/condoms/horribleness rained down on the camera guy.

That whole segment was nightmare fuel.

E: to actually ask a question: who decides which camera guy gets put in the really shitty situation? Do you draw straws?

I wasn't on the sewage on...that was a little before my time.

Doug, the DP, decides who goes where as far as the cameras are concerned. He is more than happy to dive into the bad situations first... most of the time even before Mike.

Who would win in a fight, Mike Rowe or Bear Grylls? (Assuming they are fighting each other.)

Bear Grylls. That guy is a machine. (and has a few years on Mike...)

Who would you prefer be your wingman if you were stranded in the wilderness? Bear Grylls, Mykel Hawke or Les Stroud?

Bear Grylls. Nothing against the other guys, but we would have a good time out there. That's what a wingman is for right?

[deleted]

that's a trick question

Dirty Jobs question...How much work does Mike actually do? I've heard that on some shows, like Extreme Home Makeover, the hosts only do enough "work" to get the film and then other people take over. Does he really do all the work that the show seems to imply?

Without a doubt. Everything you seen done, he does.

Were you the one the tire fell on?

That was Troy...and Barsky probably pushed it on him.

How much does a camera person generally earn?

It all depends... most operators are freelance, so the rates are negotiated on a per project bases. I would say a going "reality" television rate is around $500 a day, give or take.

That sounds like a lot, but how much do you actually work? Is there a lot of downtime between shows?

That's generally going rate for most television / film workers.

Keep in mind that a day ranges pretty widely - usually no less than 10 hours a day, sometimes as much as 14.

Can be as much as a month between gigs but a successful freelancer usually only has a few days a month down.

Great response

Do you like single-camera or multi-camera live shoots more?

I like a combination of the two. Two to three cameras. It takes some of the stress off one person trying to get all the coverage and it's fun working with other people. Everyone sees the world through a different filter (pun intended) which makes it fun to be creative as a team.

How often do you guys give Mike shit for his stint on QVC?

We give him a harder time for his Levi jeans add... "they say my butt looks good."

How did you get in to start filming with Discovery?

By luck really. Started working in the office at a production company who produces a lot of shows for Discovery. Got to know the people working on those shows and it went from there.

Do you have any formal training for operating the camera or were you just a guy that was willing to get dirty?

I had some training through my college studies. Besides that, it was just picking up a camera myself and gaining as much experiences as I could.

Beer, cheese, or monkeys?

Monkeys drinking beer and making cheese.

How heavy are cameras? Have they changed a lot over your time being a camera operator (I guess that will depend on how long you've done it).

Is it bad for your back or shoulders, or hard on them, at least?

How many kinds of cameras can you operate? I don't know very much about it, but I do know there are somewhat specialized things like steadi-cams, do you use different ones? Do you have a favourite?

I haven't been operating for that long, but they have changed a good amount over that time. With the cameras I use, weight can range from about 45lbs down to a pound or two... really depends on the camera and what accessories are on it.

It has to be bad for the body. There are days I get home and have to put a heating pad on my back.

There are a good amount of cameras I operate. Generally speaking, most cameras are very similar with their functions and settings. Once you know one, you can tinker around and figure out the others.

A steadicam is a tool used in conjunction with a camera. I don't operate steadicam very well. It's a specialize skill that takes years to master.

As for favorite, I would probably say to Panasonic HDX 900. It's easy to use, looks good (quality of video it shoots), and is a work horse. Throw a tape in that thing, hit record, and have at it!

Do you mostly still use tape on the full shoulder mount cams? or do you also do solid state p2 or xdcam disc etc. as well?

For me, mostly tape. I do shoot digitally as well.

I'm currently a Film and TV student, minoring in Sound Design. Does anyone in LA give a shit about my degree?

Odds are not really. It doesn't mean it's for nothing, just know that your degree doesn't guarantee you a job. You still need to be willing to bust your hump, doing the things other people don't want to do, in order to get to the things you do want to do.

I have heard a rumor that Mike is a bit of a party guy, does he go out and drink it up with the people after the show is recorded and such. Also how long are you guys at the site of the dirty job? Is it a week long thing or do you get it done in a day?

Mike does have a beer or two with the people after the show, but I wouldn't describe him as a "party guy."

Typically, we are on site for just one day. We show up, introduce ourselves, set up cameras, and follow the job from start to finish. When the job is done, we are done. For larger more complex or logistically challenging jobs, we stay a bit longer.

You guys seem like a fun bunch, and super down to earth. Do you ever do any charitable organization themed shows? What's your stance on giving back to the community?

Mike does a ton through his MikeRoweWorks foundation. I, and others in the crew, have been fortunate to be a part of it through some of his projects. Giving back is important. I would like to do more.

Not to get all Woody Harrelson on ya, but here's a link to his foundation -- if you are so inclined. It explains it better than I can.

http://www.mikeroweworks.com/mikes-office/giving-back/mikeroweworks-foundation/

For Dirty Jobs, do you know what the process was to verify the suggested job? Also, were there any sites where you guys were not welcome?

Thanks for the AMA!

There are people back in the production office that contact the potential jobs and figure out if they are do able or not.

Not that I am aware of.

have you ever appeared on screen as part of the final edit for anything (ocattionaly camera people make it into frame on reality tv shows)

Favorite project/experience with your job

More times than I would like, yes.

Dirty Jobs has probably been my favorite so far. Lots of travel, great crew, numerous experiences I wouldn't been able to do without working on the show.

Were you there (Dirty Jobs) when that guy got his hair stuck in his climbing apparatus whilst dangling from the building? I think you guys were in Hawaii? That was some scary shit. One of the cameramen wouldn't even do it. I got nervous just watching you guys from the safety of my living room.

I was there... I was filming him wondering why he wasn't rappelling down to the ground. Didn't realize his hair was caught until he broadcasted it over walkie. Crazy.

I don't really understand the business of being a cameraman... what sort of insurance do you guys have? How does that even work? What happens if you get hurt on the show?

Most production companies carry workers comp for crew members that are injured on the job.

Never seen "worst case scenario" but is it anything like man vs wild? If so, do they require you to essentially do the same stuff as Bear Grylls does except only he gets the credit for it? I mean...if you do, I think you're way more awesome doing it with a 50lb weight on your shoulder and a bunch of extra batteries and whatnot.

It's similar to Man vs Wild, but not in as extreme situations.

Yes, the camera men do the same thing but with a camera on their shoulder. Doug, the director of photography on Worst Case (and also on Dirty Jobs) was right next to Bear, holding a camera, as Bear performed the rescues.

Is that show still on air? I've looked for it and came up with nothing but the first two episodes.

Negative. It aired for one season and finished.

After watching a good number of episodes of Dirty Jobs it seems like there would be some pretty awkward silences and situations. Like, the workers weren't comfortable on camera and didn't quite know what to say or do.

Was there an episode that you shot which was particularly awkward for everyone involved?

There are times when Barsky stumbles or falls off of something and breaks it that get a bit uncomfortable.

What is your most most memorable moment while filming these shows? Any one thing that will stick with you forever?

I can't decided on just one moment. What's pretty darn cool is seeing people who wouldn't otherwise be noticed, get the respect they deserve. They type of people who, as the show says, "make civilized life possible for the rest of us." Being a small part of that noteriity...I think that will stick with me forever.

Did you film the candy maker episode of Dirty Jobs? That shop is in my hometown, used to go to that candy shop a lot as a kid (before downtown stopped being relevant).

I feel like there was another episode filmed near here, but I can't recall which one. Maybe the bologna maker one, this area's famous for bologna.

I wasn't at the candy maker but I was at the bologna. It is some pretty darn good bologna!

Have you ever met Adam or Jaime (From Mythbusters) and if so what are they like?

I have met them...very briefly. Jaimie is quiet. Adam not so much. They both seem like nice guys.

What was the MOST FUN episode of Dirty Jobs that you filmed?

I think Dirty jobs was one of my favourite shows on TV before i ditched cable. I miss Dirty jobs so bad... PB here I come!

What was the most AWFUL and disgusting job that YOU personally witnessed on the show ?

I'm sure this has been asked

Edit : I accidentally a word

Most fun is a hard one. They are all fun! I am going to say the window washing and dirt shirt stories in Hawaii. Not really for the shoots, but the day in-between when we road jet skis in the ocean and the mornings when we woke up a surfed together before work. It's fun seeing your co-workers catching (or trying to catch a wave) before getting serious at work.

If you weren't a camera operator -- but were forced to take another career -- what would your dream job be?

Great question! I would probably do some type of guide work. Backpacking, rafting, climbing... something outdoors.

Being a drummer in a band would be fun too...

What was working on American Chopper like?

I only worked on that for the crew behind the scenes special, so I just got a glimpse. It was interesting to see what the two crews have to go through in order to film a show with Jr and Sr fighting. I really liked Mikey.

How hard is it to operate a camera accurately under nutty circumstances? How did you get into this business? Nice one!

It can be very difficult and frustrating at times.

Cinematographer here, and I wanted to say that I am always impressed with the camera work on these shows, despite what kind of situation you guys are in. What cameras are you using to shoot some of this stuff, and what rigs do you use to support the camera and yourself in some of those crazy situations?

We shoot with HDX 900's, Sony Z7U's, Go Pros, Contours, Nikon for time-lapse, and flip cams. As for support, nothing really. Cameras on shoulders, in waterproof housings, or trash bags (to block dust). We are a pretty fit crew with Doug and Troy, our two lead cam ops, leading the way.

You've got to have one of the COOLEST gigs! Do you ever stress when filming Dirty Jobs? Like, when you find out that you'll need to follow Mike into a septic tank, or film him doing something incredibly nasty?

It is a lot of fun. Keep watching it so I stay employed! ;)

There are times of stress, but not with having to get dirty somewhere. It's more of a get what we need to get, in the time we have to get it, without disturbing what the job is we are doing.

Do you have any tips for an aspiring camera-lady/ camera assisting-lady on a physically demanding set?

I like to work with people who work very hard, but also have a good time while they are working. How does that sound?

Who would win in a fight; You or Dave Barsky?

Me. ;) Reference the end credits of the blue berry picking story.

What does one have to do to get in your line of work? Such as camera work with big-time networks or studios.

Want to do it and don't stop until you are doing it Everyone seems to have a different story about how they got to where they are at. There is no defined route. A lot of it is luck.

What type of camerawork did you do prior to dirty jobs? Local TV? How did you get hooked up with discovery channel and that gig? Seems like a tough one for photogs to get.

I bought a camera in college (dvx 100B) and shot anything anyone would let me shoot... weddings, concerts, parties, silly shorts with friends, sporting events, etc. That way I would learn a bit through doing and at least be able to keep a subject in frame.

From there, I worked my way up the chain and lucked out with DJ. Production assistant, camera assistant, camera operator. At one point when I was a PA, I went into Barsky's office, knowing that he was a producer on DJ, and flat out told him I wanted to work on the show. He was kind enough to listen and to tell me to keep working hard, people would notice, and good things will happen. That's exactly what happened.

I was an assistant editor on dirty jobs for a couple years. I know your face.

I will take this time and space to thank you... I know it was probably tough to organize that footage as we can be all over the place with several different formats. Thank you!

how did you land such a cool job?

Hard work but mostly luck? I'm still trying to figure that one out...

What was the least dirty job you ever got called for? Did you think the people were bitchy for comparing themselves to the other stuff you guys do?

I've worked on a couple of those "million dollar this, million dollar that" squeaky clean shows ands it's defiantly different.