Live Broadcast
Commercial
Narrative
Music Video
Documentary
Music Video
Corporate / Commercial
Particle Simulations
Motion Capture
Compositing
David Parrella
Looking for a skilled, LA-based Steadicam Operator and Filmmaker? I have over seven years of experience operating Steadicam across various media formats, including film, TV, live broadcast, commercials, and music videos. While I’m based in Los Angeles, I can travel globally to capture the perfect shot with any professional camera setup.
My unique marching band background gives me an edge in executing precise and artful shots. With thousands of hours of rehearsal and field performance in college alone, learning a new show for every game trained me in rapid muscle memory retention. Combined with my love of cinema, this allows me to approach each shot with great care and precision.
Let’s create something amazing together!
I’ve worked for…
My recent work
“Phoenix”
Dir. Sid Dalvi – Prod. Jackie Urteaga
Visual Effects Supervisor
Setting an entire room on fire, digitally, was a fun and challenging experience! I also did several screen replacements, stabilization and cleanup, and other effects on this project which is currently on its festival circuit run.
Take the Field
Director, Co-Producer
Take the Field is an ongoing documentary project capturing behind-the-scenes of some of the country’s most talented, hard-working college marching bands.
“Alexei 3049: DeLorean” by DragonWulf
Dir. Charlie Schwan – Prod. Micah Schultz
Director of Photography, Editor & Visual Effects
Perhaps my busiest project of the year, DeLorean was made with a bunch of close friends and collaborators. I shot, edited, and did the visual effects for this cyber-punk themed music video.
“David is amazing to work with”
★★★★★
David had a great kit, well-organized cases. Nice guy & Steadicam Op as well, Will rent or hire again!
Colin Sander
★★★★★
David is a total pro and was very helpful!
Sean Phillips, ASC
★★★★★
David was so professional. Excellent experience.
Tony Mancilla
★★★★★
David is amazing to work with. Assistance and support provided is first rate. Communication is top notch. Highly recommended!
Jonathan Park
Multifaceted Filmmaker
Beyond the camera department, my filmmaking experience includes directing, producing, and post-production. My thesis film, Origin, debuted at the Berlin Sci-Fi Film Fest in 2018, where it was nominated for Best Drama Short. It won at the Atlanta Underground Film Festival and STUFF (South Texas Underground) and was a selection and nominee at several other festivals across the country and around the globe.
Take The Field: Michigan (Season 2, Episode 5) dir. David Parrella
My documentary series, Take The Field, in collaboration with collegemarching.com, goes behind the scenes of elite college marching bands as they prepare for and perform shows in front of hundreds of thousands of fans in some of the most electric stadium environments on earth.
Origin (2018) directed by David Parrella
Certifications and Licenses
DaVinci Resolve Studio
Blackmagic Design
Steadicam®
The Tiffen Company & AbelCine
FAA Part 107
Federal Aviation Administration
Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver
PADI
SafeSport Trained
U.S. Center for SafeSport
David Parrella is an LA based Steadicam Operator from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Radio-Television-Film from The University of Texas at Austin. Although he resides in Los Angeles, Steadicam is inherently a mobile platform. David loves to travel and can operate a Steadicam anywhere that three checked bags can go.
