Joe Provenzano
Camera Operator | VFX Specialist | Cinematographer
joepro@mac.com | (310) 488-7707 | Los Angeles, CA
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joepro600 | Demo Reel: www.joeprodp.com
Professional Summary
Accomplished Camera Operator and VFX Specialist with 30+ years of experience across hundreds of commercials, music videos, TV series, and feature films. Expert in motion-control systems, performance capture, and miniature work with demonstrated leadership in pipeline management and team collaboration. Proven track record working with A-list directors and ASC cinematographers on major studio productions including Warner Brothers, NBC Universal, and Sony Pictures.
Core Technical Skills
Camera Systems & Operation
- Motion Control: Flair, Kuper, Techno Dolly systems
- Remote head operation and specialty camera rigs
- Performance capture and motion capture systems
- VFX and miniatures camera work
Post-Production & VFX
- Unreal Engine: Previsualization, cinematics, character animation
- 3D Modeling: Blender (hard-surface and sculpting)
- Color Correction: DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere
- Photogrammetry and 3D mesh mapping
- Compositing and visual effects supervision
Production Management
- Pipeline development and team leadership
- Technical supervision and mentoring
- Multi-camera coordination and setup
- Pre-visualization and shot design
Professional Experience
VFX Camera Specialist | Freelance
2018 - Present
"After the Hunt" (2025) - Feature Film
Dir. Luca Guadagnino, VFX cinematographer AJ Raitano
- Led VFX camera operations for A-list Julia Roberts feature, coordinating complex motion-control sequences and ensuring seamless integration with post-production pipeline
- Collaborated directly with director and VFX team to achieve precise camera movements for CGI plate photography
"Suicide Squad" (2021) - Feature Film, Warner Brothers
Dir. James Gunn, DoP Henry Braham
- Executed precision VFX camera work on $185M superhero blockbuster, capturing clean plates and motion-control passes for extensive digital environments
- Maintained strict technical specifications for dozens of VFX shots while meeting aggressive production deadlines
"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" (2019) - Feature Film, Lifeboat Productions
Dir. Quentin Tarantino, VFX cinematographer Tim Angulo
- Operated specialized miniature and VFX camera systems to recreate 1960s Hollywood environments with period-accurate authenticity
- Collaborated with Academy Award-winning VFX team to capture reference photography and motion-control elements for seamless practical/digital integration
"First Man" (2018) - Feature Film
Dir. Damien Chazelle, VFX cinematographer Tim Angulo
- Pioneered innovative camera techniques for space sequences on Academy Award-winning biographical drama
- Operated and supervised motion-control systems for lunar surface miniatures, contributing to film's groundbreaking practical VFX approach
Camera Operator & 2nd Unit DP | Freelance
2006 - Present
"Shooting Stars" (2023) - Feature Film, NBC Universal
Dir. Chris Robinson, DoP Karsten Gopinath
- Managed 15-person camera department and directed 2nd unit cinematography for biographical sports drama
- Coordinated multi-camera setups for complex basketball sequences, delivering coverage that enhanced narrative flow
- Mentored junior camera operators while maintaining production schedule and budget constraints
"The New Edition Story" (2017) - TV Mini-Series, BET
Produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment
- Operated primary camera and directed 2nd unit sequences for 3-part biographical miniseries viewed by 29 million viewers
- Captured intimate performance scenes requiring precise timing and movement coordination with musical playback
- Collaborated with directors to establish visual continuity across multiple time periods and locations
Music Videos - Various Productions
- Directed 2nd unit cinematography for Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" and "Taste" music videos in 2024, achieving 500M+ combined views
- Managed specialized camera movements and lighting setups for high-concept visual sequences
- Lensed and shot 100+ commercial and music video projects - coordinated with A-list creative teams to execute complex technical shots
Cinematographer | Commercial & Branded Content
2005 - Present
Broadcast Television
- KNBC - Morning News & Weather Team Promos: Designed dynamic lighting and camera movements for 12+ promotional segments, increasing viewer engagement metrics by establishing consistent visual brand identity
- Food Network - "TV Everywhere" Campaign: Created multi-platform visual content maintaining brand consistency across digital and broadcast mediums
National Brand Campaigns
- Smoothie King - "Slim 'n Trim" & "Mango": Developed vibrant, health-focused cinematography that increased brand recognition and drove 15% sales increase during campaign period
- Nationwide Bank - "Savings": Crafted warm, trustworthy visual narrative supporting financial services messaging, heavy in VFX compositing
- Folgers Coffee - "Starting Line" 2014 Sochi Olympics: Delivered cinematic commercial spot during prime Olympic advertising, reaching 30M+ viewers with emotionally resonant storytelling
Industrial & Lifestyle Brands
- TroyBilt - "Working Together" & "This is the Moment": Shot authentic, rugged cinematography showcasing product durability and American craftsmanship values
- Coors Light - "Catch the Train": Created dynamic action sequences requiring precise timing and specialized camera rigging for moving train environment
Key Achievements:
- Maintained 95%+ client retention rate across 200+ commercial projects over 15+ years
- Consistently delivered projects on-time and under-budget while exceeding creative expectations
- Established efficient workflows reducing typical commercial shoot days by 20% through strategic pre-production planning
Camera Assistant & Operator | Various Productions
1995 - 2015
Career Development & Technical Excellence
- Progressed from Camera Assistant to Primary Operator across 300+ productions including commercials, music videos, and feature films
- Mastered advanced camera systems and specialized equipment under mentorship of 8 ASC cinematographers
- Developed expertise in motion-control technology, becoming go-to operator for complex technical sequences requiring precision timing
Notable Cinematographer Collaborations:
- Matty Libatique ASC - Operated on multiple high-profile projects requiring innovative camera techniques and precise technical execution
- Kevin McKnight ASC - Served as primary camera assistant on television episodes demanding rapid setup changes and creative problem-solving
- Brian Burgoyne ASC, Jim Denault ASC, Bill Bennett ASC - Built reputation for reliability and technical proficiency across diverse production environments
- Karsten "Crash" Gopinath - Collaborated on action-heavy sequences requiring specialized expertise and crew management, for a relationship spanning 30 years
Technical Achievements:
- Maintained zero equipment failures across 20+ years of high-pressure production environments
- Trained and mentored 25+ junior camera assistants, with 18 advancing to operator roles
- Pioneered early adoption of digital camera systems, helping productions transition smoothly from film to digital workflows
- Established camera department protocols still used by major production companies today
Education & Certifications
Continuous Professional Development
- Multiple Udemy certifications in Blender and Unreal Engine
- Epic Games Unreal Engine training programs
- Motion control systems certification (Flair, Kuper, Techno Dolly)
Notable Collaborations
Worked with acclaimed directors and industry professionals including Taika Waititi, John Dykstra, Andy MacDonald, Glenn Darry, David Sanger, Dennis Berardi, and Ian Hunter.
Professional References
Available upon request - Extensive list of industry references from 30+ years of professional relationships
"Team collaboration and pipeline management is the key to any efficient and creative job. I have a true passion for tackling complex cinematic and animation projects that are heavy in 3D modeling and compositing."