Mattia Ottaviani graduated from ZeLIG Film School in Bolzano and specializes as a Steadicam operator. He has many years of experience in feature films, TV series, documentaries, commercials, and music videos, working on numerous national and international sets.
How did you get into the world of cinema and, in particular, the profession of camera and Steadicam operator?
I got into it as a child thanks to The Lord of the Rings: I remember that the DVD box sets with the behind-the-scenes material opened a world for me. Those contents sparked my curiosity about what’s “behind the camera”, and this has immediately fascinated me. From that moment, my studies followed a clear path: I studied the basics of cinema in high school, Liceo F. Depero, then documentary photography at ZeLIG, and finally, I took specialized courses to refine my role as a camera and Steadicam operator (Steadicam in Tenerife and Paris, Trinity in Paris, and Film Camera operation in Catania).
Working with the Steadicam is demanding, both physically and mentally. What fascinates you most about working with this tool?
Yes, mind and body are put to the test, and perhaps that is exactly what makes the role so unique. When the motor starts, it’s electrifying: you become part of the scene, almost another actor; the viewer’s gaze, the choreography, and the blocking become essential. Everything must work in synergy, and you find yourself at the center of the action. The responsibility is high, because you must allow the director to choose different acting points of view while maintaining the agreed camera movement. At the same time, you must remain flexible to leave room for interpretation, positions, timing, or focus may change. When everything works, the satisfaction is enormous: you feel it in your heart when you’ve made the right shot, when everything fits perfectly.
Could you describe a project or set that gave you great satisfaction and represented an important challenge for you?
It’s hard to point to a single project: every job has its own difficulties, challenges, and, fortunately, satisfactions. Every time I step out of my comfort zone, I feel lucky because I can improve, gain experience, and grow. I’ve faced very different situations: the Louis Vuitton Cruise show, where I worked with world-famous actors for the first time; the muddy trenches and rain for TING; the camera cars for Marianengraben; the runs on the snow in Ricordati che ti voglio bene; the shootouts in Città di Vita; the wind on the peaks for Der Spaziergang nach Syrakus; the long take for the Notte Fonda music video; the shoots in the forests of Estonia for Von Fock; the beaches and cliffs of Der Ursprung der Liebe. Every small challenge helped me grow, and I’m enormously grateful for that. The greatest satisfactions come when I see the trailer or the final result: for me, that is the most emotional moment.
The Local Talents are South Tyrolean filmmakers and professionals selected by the IDM Film & Music Commission who have been active in the local film industry. In short interviews, they talk about what they love about their profession and film.