From Novice to Pro: Erick Cancela’s Rapid Rise as a Steadicam & Camera Operator
It’s not every day that someone with just over a year of experience in the film industry establishes themselves and works with some of the biggest brands in entertainment. However, Erick Cancela has done just that.
Cancela‘s notable career highlights include working as the camera operator on Soulja Boy’s music video for his track “Lamb Flow,” which was filmed in Los Angeles. Another big project for Cancela was working as the camera operator for Chudeejah’s music video for the song “Blue Racks” featuring Blueface. This music video was directed by Daniel Curtis Lee and filmed in a mansion in Beverly Hills.
Erick has worked on an additional music video for one of Chudeejah’s songs. He was the camera operator for “Bad Mama Jama,” featuring Snoop Dogg. This music video gave him the chance to work with Lee again as he directed the music video.
As a cinematographer and camera operator, Cancela worked on the short film Hambre, which is about a starving mother who realizes she can’t feed her son, leading to her making the ultimate sacrifice to keep her child alive. Directed by Rene Baptista, this short film was shot in Mexico City and has been submitted to various film festivals and made official selection at Prague International Indie Film Festival (2021), Montreal Independent Film Festival (2021), PEEPHOLE Filmfest (2021), and Screamfest Horror Film Festival – NEW ORLEANS (2021). It was a nominee at Austin International Art Festival (August 2021).
Another short film Erick worked on as the camera operator was Doors, directed by Jason McRuer. This short film was produced by Red Bull and was filmed in January 2023 in Los Angeles.
Cancela has also joined the Society of Camera Operators (SOC) as an associate member, which is a great accomplishment for someone who is just beginning their career. These achievements are undeniably impressive for someone who has just started in the industry. However, Cancela‘s success is a testament to his hard work and dedication to his craft. He has set an example for others looking to break into the industry, showing that anyone can achieve their goals through persistence and hard work.
Of course, Cancela’s success is not just due to his innate abilities and work ethic. It is also a testament to his willingness to continually learn and improve his craft. He insists that practicing and focusing on improving one’s craft is the key to success.
It then makes sense that Cancela advises others looking to break into the film industry to “practice, practice, practice.” He believes learning how to improve your craft, become more efficient, and remain calm under chaotic circumstances is essential. Cancela’s laser focus on his craft has allowed him to stand out and excel in the industry.
While Cancela’s dreams and aspirations are to operate for some of the most prominent artists, join the Union, and work alongside Hollywood’s best directors of photography, his journey to becoming a successful Steadicam and camera operator has not been without its challenges.
One of the biggest hurdles Cancela has faced was creating connections in the industry to secure his first job. However, he persevered by sending out emails, introducing himself, and attending networking events. Eventually, his persistence paid off, and he secured his first job. His stellar work ethic and skills soon shone through, allowing him to continue to secure bigger and better jobs.
Perhaps most endearing, Cancela’s dreams and aspirations are not limited to working with big brands and Hollywood’s best directors of photography. He also hopes to inspire others to pursue their passions and achieve their goals. He believes anyone with a genuine passion for the film industry can reach their full potential if they are willing to work hard and stay focused on their goals.
Cancela’s success story is an inspiration to anyone looking to make their mark in the film industry. His exceptional work ethic, innate abilities, and persistence have allowed him to work with major brands and achieve notable career highlights, all despite having just over a year of experience.
Wise beyond his years, Cancela’s advice to others to constantly practice and focus on improving their craft is a valuable lesson that can (and should) be applied to any field. His story is a testament to the fact that with hard work, grit, and a whole lot of dedication, anyone can achieve their goals and succeed in their chosen field. Sometimes it can even happen much quicker than expected.
