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Chai Rolfe

@camera_chai

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🇵🇭🇬🇧🎥 Camera shy... geddit?😁Camera / Steadicam Operator. For bookings please contact Daisy at Loop Talent [email protected] 👉@looptalentcrew

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I just opened my first issue of ‘In the Frame’!! I have been reading the @aco’s magazine for YEARS, so I was equal parts honoured and fully frikkin daunted to be asked to step in as Editor.

It’s been a big learning curve, but I am hoping that you’ll enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed working on it.

The ‘Camera Chats’ feature with Jason Ewart is a new idea of mine. Interviews instead of self-submitted articles for those who prefer it. I just think sometimes a coffee and a chat is way more enjoyable than the daunting task of writing a feature piece at home. If you would like to be interviewed to shed some light on one of your recent projects, please get in touch.

Massive thank yous to all involved. As with everything with the ACO, it’s a community effort. All contributors, patrons and editorial team members have given 100% in to this whilst managing everything else.

Special thank you to @zoeg_cam and @tomwalden for your belief and guidance. @shamwhittaker for your immense support throughout. @jasewart and @garetheevans for all your time and collaboration. @benjamineeley and @sven_joukes for stepping in and delivering with such a tight turnaround - absolute legends 🙏 Design absolutely smashed out of the park by @omarqubain Copy Edited by @rosanna.mostly.music . Printed by @new_era_printing . Published by the ACO 🎥 by @camera_chai

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2 months ago

The latest episode of “In the Frame” is out!

Check it out on our website, link in our bio!

#cameraoperator #steadicamoperator #gimbleoperator by @camera_chai

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2 months ago

What an amazing day we had filming 10 gorgeous dancers in such a beautiful part of London. Thanks so much to Director/Choreographer @jamesberkery for trusting me with this beautiful piece, to @camera_chai as my B Cam Op, and our incredible ACs @daisy_lilla_ @amber_taylxr_films & @shio_ito_ - what a great team! Also a big, big thanks to @theunitbag for helping us with the additional gimbal.

I can’t wait for you all to see the magic ✨ taken in London, United Kingdom by @camera_chai

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2 months ago

2025 Recap (yeeeep, it’s late, but I am in a retrospective kind of mood today)

**** Slides 1 and 4 📸 by @evan.film *** 
1. March 2025 - month 4 of 5 as A Cam 2nd AC on BBC’s Wild Cherry 
2. The wonderful Frankie Cilia taking a well-earned 30 second sit down at 3am. 
3. A much appreciated opportunity to Operate on set whilst Loading  
4. April 2025 - that’s a wrap on Wild Cherry! 
5. Nina Mangold killing it on the wheels at the @aco_uk ‘s Ronin 2 workshop (lead by Chris Plevin and Rich Cornelius) 
6. Reunited on BBC’s ‘Danielle Does Life’ with the one and only Gule Korkmaz! 
7. Practice, practice, practice  
8. Operating on a short film, DP’d by legend Ashley Rees and Directed by the unstoppable Rachel Ross 
9. June 2025 - Loading on a feature over summer for 1st AC Tuncer Ozdemir and Operator Michael Eshun-Mensah 
10. Sweating my face off in the rig on one of the hottest days of the year. Short film announcement coming soon… 
11. A beautiful night at the @bscine Operator’s night (my seat was sponsored by the lovely folks at @opticalsupport ) 
12. With Lisa Cottington at the Operator’s Night (fun fact, this is the ONLY photo of the night where I didn’t blink…) 
13. Assisting Michael Eshun-Mensah on the Tier 1 Steadicam Course at Optical Support 
14. Caught in my happy place (operating on ‘Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe’) 
15. November 2025 - Practice, practice, practice with Davide Bianco. 
16. Loading for the brilliant Pete Blakemore 1st AC 
17. That time we gave the Trainees heart-attacks and then presents on the last day before Christmas (Yon Tiruneh not photographed - he said ‘Fuck that’ and left the room, which was totally fair) 
18. Dec 2025 - Last job of the year! Cheeky promo for Ministry of Sound. by @camera_chai

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3 months ago

A small thank you to the epic team at @opticalsupport 🖤

Plus a sneak peak at some of the great features in the latest issue of the ACO magazine, In The Frame!

https://theaco.uk/resources/in-the-frame by @camera_chai

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5 months ago

Pleased to announce that our Chai Rolfe @camera_chai is now working as a Camera Operator 🎥

Chai’s experience in the camera department currently spans over 15 years in both commercials and narrative. She started out wearing multiple hats as a DP, Gaffer and AC in the indie film world. After a few years, Chai took a side-step to become a Camera Trainee and break in to TV dramas. She went on to become an experienced 2nd AC in dramas and commercials, with most of her days being spent on location as A-Camera Loader.

She spent years learning from highly skilled ACs on British drama and commercial sets, and spent her free time shooting whenever she could. With encouragement from a couple of her regular DPs, Chai began stepping-up to Operate in 2022.

She now works as a Camera Operator in commercials, documentaries and live events. Having completed the Steadicam course at Optical Support towards the end of 2023, Chai is also now working as an emerging Steadicam Operator in music promos and short films.

Huge congratulations from us all at Loop Talent. Looking forward to the next chapter 👌🏼 🖤🧡

#CameraOperator #CrewDiaryService #InTheLoop #LoopTalentCrew #LoopTalent by @camera_chai

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7 months ago

Last Saturday’s POV camera shoot is under NDA, so here’s a throwback to 2023.

I was 2nd ACing for the wonderful @peteblakemore and was asked to step up to Operate a prototype of the @cyclopspov 🤖 - the world’s first true POV helmet camera rig - designed by our DP and total tech wizard @jamesmedcraft_dop

Operating the Cyclops is way more intuitive than most rigs due to the prism system (the camera sits on top, so no camera blocking your face) and makes for a better balanced rig on the old neck bones than earlier helmet systems. What I saw was what I shot, and it was a lot easier to see my immediate surroundings. I highly recommend this for anyone looking to get some POV shots for your next shoot 👌☺️ You can find it at @focuscanning by @camera_chai

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7 months ago

Intelligence Rising, a feature length documentary that I Operated on for a few days last year will premiere at @cphdox on March 15th.

I loved working on this one! Director Elena Andreicheva @_andreicheva and DP Harry Truman @harryctruman organised a huge team of Operators and ACs to cover a mega lineup of talent and intellect. It was a surreal few days.

Keep an eye out for the trailer!

‘Global heavyweights - from military strategists to philosophers - join AI leader Marc Warner for a bold wargame exploring how artificial intelligence might reshape power itself. Intelligence Rising reveals what happens when the brightest minds face the future they helped create.’ by @camera_chai

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7 months ago

I may delete this soon as I prefer to keep my political views to Stories (mostly), so share now if you think it will help anyone. See you at the @palestinesolidarityuk protest on Oct 11th. Also check out the latest from total legend @jaseflem123 for what you can do on Oct 18/19th. If you can’t protest, disrupt with your wallet - @bds.movement. Remember to look after yourself and your loved ones as well. We cannot do anything if we slip into despair or apathy. by @camera_chai

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a year ago

Great practice session earlier this week with @d.biancodp and @marcoalonsomonedero
🎥 Turns out three is the magic number! The cross-hairs and our pink-haired pal at @opticalsupport are great for basic exercises but nothing quite beats having friends to block and shoot some shots with (hands up if you have staged a classic ‘handing-over-the-briefcase’ shot in low-mode at Optical Support 😆)

No funky timelapses yesterday but we spent a good amount of time trying to navigate the stairs. Thanks for the excellent Don-Juan tips and grip work @steadiwood 🙏 taken in Optical Support Ltd by @camera_chai

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a year ago

Delighted! @milk_shortfilm is officially a @bafta and @bifa_film qualified film, we are all over the moon to be screening @asffestival in the drama programme. The more festivals the wider the reach to bring this often taboo subject to a greater audience. 🙌🙌✨✨✨ well done team. by @camera_chai

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a year ago

We are so very excited to be screening @milk_shortfilm at the brilliant @boltonfilmfest and @womenxfest the importance of screening films to an audience especially when the subject matter feels so important is fundamental to why we make films. Thank you 🙏 to these wonderful festivals for programming us, it’s a tuff ride out there and we’re so glad you enjoyed our film. Thank you 🙏 @theycallmevinnie_ @paisleyvalentine @anarchitecture_fabrication @anabelateixeiraoficial @__helds by @camera_chai

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a year ago