Daily Inspiration: Meet Henry Grenier

Today we’d like to introduce you to Henry Grenier.

Hi Henry, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia and I initially worked as a production assistant, as most do. My first call sheet with my name on it (I still have the printout) was in 2014. I started out with a few producers who I knew were working locally; I would reach out to them at the beginning of the summers between my Freshman and Sophomore years of college. Each summer I slowly expanded my network and met more and more people. So, after a few years of being a production assistant I knew a lot of the main players in town. At the time (or it felt this way to me) Philadelphia was a smaller film community.

I attended Syracuse University and was primarily focused on Cinematography. I was doing a lot of Grip and Electric work during college for other student projects and even crewing on some faculty shoots. After working as a production assistant for a few years, I started to favor helping the G&E crews and working closely with that department. Eventually I moved up into a Swing position and started my career in G&E. I primarily worked in this department did until I graduated.

I was fortunate enough to be selected to study abroad during my Junior year in Prague at FAMU International. There, we focused on shooting 35mm film, and this really gave me a solid foundation in lighting, exposure, and proper set etiquette.

After graduation, I continued working in Philadelphia for a few months before I was offered a job at Band Pro Film & Digital in Burbank in 2017. I made the move and started working with some classmates who had also moved out to Los Angeles. I kept working G&E jobs while also working as a Sales Assistant a Band Pro. Eventually, I became a Sales Associate as well as a Technical Consultant for the company.

Band Pro has been a major part of the industry for over 40 years and has been involved in dozens of projects during that time. Specializing in high-end cinema product sales and distribution, Band Pro has helped launch and promote EasyRigs, Zeiss DigiPrimes, Leitz Summilux lenses, Angenieux EZ zooms, to name a few. They have been a leader in Sony Cine cameras along with many other items. During my time there, I gained significant insight into all the different cinema brands, configurations, accessories, and anything in the Camera Department.

Around 2018, I really began to focus more on working with cameras and began primarily taking on Assistant Camera work, as either a 1st or 2nd AC. From there, I eventually found myself missing the operating aspect of shooting. I befriended an amazingly talent Steadicam Operator, who also would help out during events with Band Pro, Jessica Lopez. Both Jess and I initially bonded over growing up near Detroit (which is where I grew up as a kid before my family moved to Philadelphia), and she was always so supportive. Jess was the first call I made when I considered if I should really commit and pursue Steadicam operating. She was so kind and gave me tons of great advice and encouragement to take the leap. From there, I took my first lesson with Greg Smith in 2021 and haven’t looked back.

Today, I still work with Band Pro as well as a freelance Steadicam & Camera Operator.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. But, I also know I’ve been extremely fortunate and lucky to be where I’m at, so I don’t take anything for granted. I’m happy to be able to do this any chance I get, and to be able to step into some of the rooms I have been in.

Balancing the artistic side of this industry as well as the business side is always tough. I think that is one aspect of this path that I’m still working on.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For the last 3 years or so Steadicam Operating has been my main focus. I’m very proud of the work I have done thus far, and am extremely grateful to all the DPs, Directors, Producers, and friends who have given me opportunities. Most of my work has been with the same group of people from when I first started this Steadicam journey, and I’m extremely grateful for their loyalty. This year I became an Associate Member of the Society of Camera Operators, and I’m excited to continue pursuing this path and see where it takes me.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
For any position on set, I think there are a few basic qualities that can set you up for success: Being on time, staying organized. clearly communicating with others, understanding the structure of a set and working well with others. All of those I’d say can help get you pretty far.

As an operator, staying level headed during high pressure moments is crucial. Understanding what it is the DP or Director want while also knowing the tools to best get that shot, is also important. Additionally, I would say that keeping an ear open for any possible notes or changes to stay one step ahead has been helpful. Early on, you can get caught up in the technical and equipment side of the job, but the equipment won’t be deciding when to push into a closeup. The gear won’t tell you when to linger a moment longer to really emphasize a character’s loneliness. Those subtleties are what I’ve found really make an operator stand out. And, that just comes from studying past films, clearly understanding the context of what you’re capturing, communicating with the DP and Director, and staying in the moment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.henrygrenier.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hgrenier/
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7420691/