It goes without saying that the camera department is the most stylish on set. Even if we’re not the most stylish, we’re certainly prepared for most contingencies – whether that’s cold weather, hot deserts, rain (real or fake), or simply a really long day.
And comedian Adam Carolla agrees.
A couple of months ago, Carolla took to his podcast to proclaim, “The guys who wear the greatest pant combination, shoe combination, hat combinations – in the world – are cameramen.”
Watch the video above for the full discussion lead by Carolla about why he thinks cameraman dress the best and why they deserve to be put alongside pilots in the pantheon of “Never Complain.”
Can’t watch? Here’s a transcript of Carolla’s remarks (with Alison Rosen and guest Stephen Dorff):
Adam Carolla: The guys who wear the greatest pant combination, shoe combination, hat combinations – in the world – are cameramen. Cameramen have great pants. They’re always wearing the appropriate pants. Like if they’re out shooting whatever – they’re holding the camera up – you’re used to it.
Stephen Dorff: Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. He may go in with the vibe of the shooting day.
A.C.: And it’ll be one of those things where if it’s cold in the morning they got the full pant on and then as the sun starts to get… they unzip the bottom part. And they’re wearing the hat, like, they’re perfect, they’re outfitted. They’re the only guys on the set…
S.D.: The patagonia…
A.C.: Yeah. I don’t know why all camera guys have their outfit down. They have their outfit down, they have their pants down. They’re never wearing some super tight jeans and clogs. You know what I mean? Or Corky’s. They’re like on their feet all day. They have the exact right pants all the time. And they have a hat! And they have the thing. And they can start peeling layers as the sun starts to rise.
Never met a camera guy who was wearing super uncomfortable jeans and, you know, a tube top.
Alison Rosen: I feel like if someone were pretending to be a camera person that’s how you’d suss ’em out.
A.C.: Yes. Yes. And have the only guys I’ve ever met who legitimately unzip the bottom part of their pants (making them shants) at some point were cameramen.
A.R.: Where do they put the rest of their pants?
A.C.: It’s unclear. There must be some cameraman locker somewhere. They always have the right shoes, too. They’re never wearing the wrong shoes.
They’re the most pragmatic human beings on the planet because they’re like, “I’m gonna be standing here for 14 hours holding this thing that weighs 51 pounds on my right shoulder. I cannot be un– fuck fashion! I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks of me. And I’m literally– I’m not even behind the camera, I’m inside the camera. I’m under the camera. No one is ever going to see me. I’m going to be as comfortable as I can possibly be and I don’t give a fuck what I look like.”
That’s all camera guys.
Have you ever met like a prima donna, douchebag, pussy cameraman? I’ve never met that guy. They’re always salt of the earth, just fucking the greatest guys in the world.
A.R.: Now, do you feel this crosses over to still photographers?
A.C.: No. I hate those douchebags. [Laughter]
The camera guys I’ve worked with have been… they’re always big, strapping– just never complain.
Walking through Bourbon Street with these guys in the middle of Mardi Gras filming while they’re walking backwards through cobblestones with one hand on the camera and the other hand is feeling behind them as they’re walking backward with this huge thing on their shoulder.
And they never go, “Hey fellas now hold on! I got in a moped accident when I was in junior college and I hurt my back very badly and I need to sit down and I need something cold about now.”
They never do that! They’re just like, “Let’s do it. Here we go. Let’s go. Let’s do it. More batteries!”
When their battery runs out or their cartridge or their whatever runs out, they’re screaming, “I need another brick! Another cartridge!”
They’re never like… “Whew! Thank God let’s all just take a breather for a moment. Let’s all just unwind for a second.” Nope. They never complain, never say anything.
I’m gonna put them – I don’t know. Pilots and camera guys I’ll put them up on my list, my pantheon of “Never Complain.” Hardest working, most versatile pants on the planet.
A.R.: Cameramen show more pant range than pilots.
A.C.: Yes. Incredible pant range. Mhm.
The man has a point, but if I’m being honest, I haven’t owned a pair of “shants” in years. Maybe I should look at expanding my pants range instead of investing in my toolkit.
I wonder if Roger Deakins wears shants…
[via FilmmakerIQ and Reddit]