About

Known credits:
45
Birthday:
N/A
Place of birth:
N/A
Website:

Chris Arata

Overview

Chris Arata is a Los Angeles–based camera operator and cinematographer who has cultivated his craft through a traditional, hands‑on journey in the camera department, beginning his career by advancing from camera assistant to camera operator. In 2020, Arata earned recognition from his peers by being inducted as an active member of the Society of Camera Operators (SOC).

Throughout his career, Arata has worked on a variety of high-profile feature films and television series, contributing as a camera operator to projects including Short Term 12, I Am Not a Hipster, Unicorn Store, This Is Us, Lowriders, Just Mercy, and The Outlaws, among others. His filmography includes operating both A- and B-camera units across genres, from independent dramas to major studio and streaming productions.

In addition to performing camera duties, Arata has distinguished himself as a director of photography, notably helming the visual narrative for the film Black White and the Greys. He has worked under esteemed directors and alongside prominent cinematographers, including Brett Pawlak, Emmanuel Lubezki, Amir Mokri, and Michael Bonvillain. 

Arata's body of work spans feature films, episodic television, second-unit photography, commercials, and innovative projects, such as the virtual reality installation Carne y Arena, which received a Special Achievement Academy Award.

Known for

Directing

2015 Helio Directing First Assistant Director 58
Average

Camera

2023 The Out-Laws Camera "B" Camera Operator 59
Average
2023 Black White and the Greys Camera Director of Photography 58
Average
2022 A Jazzman's Blues Camera "A" Camera Operator 62
Fair
2020 The 24th Camera Second Unit Director of Photography 58
Average
2020 The 24th Camera "B" Camera Operator 58
Average
2020 Deported Camera Camera Operator 58
Average
2019 Just Mercy Camera "B" Camera Operator 75
Good
2019 Saint Judy Camera Second Unit Director of Photography 59
Average
2019 Saint Judy Camera Camera Operator 59
Average
2017 I'm Not Here Camera Camera Operator 58
Average
2017 Unicorn Store Camera "A" Camera Operator 58
Average
2017 The Glass Castle Camera "A" Camera Operator 66
Fair
2017 Flesh and Sand Camera Camera Operator 58
Average
2017 Lowriders Camera "A" Camera Operator 60
Fair
2017 Honor Council Camera Director of Photography 58
Average
2016 Max Steel Camera Second Unit Director of Photography 57
Average
2016 Max Steel Camera Camera Operator 57
Average
2016 Karaoke Man Camera First Assistant Camera N/A
N/A
2016 The Meddler Camera "A" Camera Operator 59
Average
2016 Situational Camera Director of Photography 58
Average
2016 Rock and Roll: The Movie Camera First Assistant Camera 58
Average
2015 We Are Your Friends Camera Camera Operator 66
Fair
2015 Larry Gaye: Renegade Male Flight Attendant Camera Camera Operator 57
Average
2014 Land of Leopold Camera Second Unit Director of Photography 58
Average
2014 Land of Leopold Camera Camera Operator 58
Average
2014 Presumed Dead in Paradise Camera Additional Director of Photography 58
Average
2014 Buttwhistle Camera "B" Camera Operator 58
Average
2014 In Your Eyes Camera First Assistant "B" Camera 66
Fair
2013 Immigrant Camera Camera Operator N/A
N/A
2013 Short Term 12 Camera "B" Camera Operator 72
Good
2013 The Final Moments of Karl Brant Camera "B" Camera Operator 58
Average
2013 How Sweet It Is Camera "B" Camera Operator 58
Average
2013 I Am Not a Hipster Camera Camera Operator 59
Average
2012 DGK: Parental Advisory Camera Camera Operator 58
Average
2012 Home Invasion Camera First Assistant Camera 58
Average
2012 You, Me & the Circus Camera Second Assistant Camera N/A
N/A
2012 Dream in American Camera First Assistant Camera N/A
N/A
2011 Behind Your Eyes Camera First Assistant Camera 58
Average
2011 WTF Camera Director of Photography N/A
N/A
2010 Locked Away Camera First Assistant Camera 58
Average
2010 Heist Camera Second Assistant Camera 58
Average
The Loneliest Road in America Camera Assistant Camera N/A
N/A
Pretty Tough Camera "B" Camera Operator 58
Average

Lighting

2009 Uncorked Lighting Electrician 58
Average