Geoffrey Haley
Camera
Geoffrey Haley is an acclaimed camera operator and filmmaker known for his work on some of Hollywood’s most visually compelling films. Born with a deep passion for film and music, Haley was a cellist from age five and grew up experimenting with an 8mm camera. However, upon finishing high school, he chose to pursue film over music, fearing that relying on his musical passion for income might diminish his love for it. Haley studied psychophysiology on the West Coast, strategically selecting a university that allowed him to spend summers in Los Angeles, gaining hands-on experience in the film industry. His musical background helped him secure early work as a boom operator. Later, he transitioned to video playback before ultimately finding his niche in the camera department. His first significant break came when he was tasked with shooting the iconic floating bag scene in American Beauty (1999). Originally intended as a CGI placeholder, Haley’s footage was so compelling that it became a defining visual of the film. This exposure led to him being hired for HBO’s Six Feet Under (2001–2005), where he remained for the entire five-season run, refining his skills in cinematography, scene breakdown, and collaboration with directors and actors. While working on Six Feet Under, Haley ventured into directing and writing, creating The Parlor (2001), which earned an Honorable Mention at Sundance 2002. He later wrote a feature screenplay purchased by a major studio but remained unproduced due to budget constraints. Determined to direct, he wrote The Last Word (2008), a romantic comedy that premiered at Sundance and saw a successful theatrical release. Despite his directing aspirations, Haley found a fulfilling career in camera operation. His philosophy emphasizes collaboration with directors to serve the story, emotion, and performance rather than getting lost in the technical aspects of the job. His approach has led to successful collaborations with cinematographers like Lawrence Sher ASC and Stephen F. Windon ASC ACS, as well as directors including Todd Phillips (Joker), David O. Russell (The Fighter, American Hustle), and Danny Boyle (Steve Jobs). Haley’s expertise in Steadicam operation has been pivotal in high-profile productions, notably his work on Steve Jobs (2015), where he navigated the challenges of capturing long takes of dialogue-heavy scenes. He has also played a key role in large-scale action films, working closely with the Russo brothers on Avengers: Endgame (2019), Cherry (2021), and The Gray Man (2022), where he also served as an executive producer. A respected figure in the camera operating community, Haley serves on the board of governors for the Society of Camera Operators (SOC). His dedication to storytelling and immersive cinematography has earned him multiple accolades, including the SOC Camera Operator of the Year Award for Joker and Cherry.
Cast credits(1)
Camera (146)
Director of Photography
2010
"A" Camera Operator
2006
"B" Camera Operator
1999
Camera Operator
2001
"B" Camera Operator
2001
Steadicam Operator
2001
"A" Camera Operator
2001
"A" Camera Operator
2010
Steadicam Operator
2006
Steadicam Operator
2004
Camera Operator
2013
Camera Operator
2018
Steadicam Operator
2018
Steadicam Operator
2006
Director of Photography
2023
"B" Camera Operator
2006
Steadicam Operator
2006
"B" Camera Operator
2009
Steadicam Operator
2009
Camera Operator
2009
"A" Camera Operator
2019
Steadicam Operator
2019
Camera Operator
2009
Steadicam Operator
2009
"B" Camera Operator
2009
Steadicam Operator
2019
"A" Camera Operator
2019
Camera Operator
2007
Steadicam Operator
2007
"A" Camera Operator
2015
Steadicam Operator
2015
"A" Camera Operator
2025
Steadicam Operator
2025
"A" Camera Operator
2024
Steadicam Operator
2024
Camera Operator
2011
Steadicam Operator
2006
Camera Operator
2005
Steadicam Operator
2017
"A" Camera Operator
2017
"A" Camera Operator
2025
Steadicam Operator
2025
Camera Operator
2024
Steadicam Operator
2019
Steadicam Operator
2013
"A" Camera Operator
2013
"A" Camera Operator
2021
Steadicam Operator
2021
"B" Camera Operator
2017
Steadicam Operator
2017
Steadicam Operator
2017
"A" Camera Operator
2013
Steadicam Operator
2013
Camera Operator
1999
"A" Camera Operator
2022
Steadicam Operator
2022
"A" Camera Operator
2023
Steadicam Operator
2023
Camera Operator
2007
Steadicam Operator
2007
Steadicam Operator
2016
"A" Camera Operator
2016
Camera Operator
2019
Steadicam Operator
2019
Steadicam Operator
2010
"A" Camera Operator
2010
"A" Camera Operator
2021
Steadicam Operator
2021
Steadicam Operator
2006
"A" Camera Operator
2023
Steadicam Operator
2023
"A" Camera Operator
2016
Steadicam Operator
2016
"B" Camera Operator
2008
Steadicam Operator
2008
"B" Camera Operator
2010
Steadicam Operator
2010
Steadicam Operator
2006
Camera Operator
2007
Steadicam Operator
2007
"B" Camera Operator
2007
Steadicam Operator
2017
"A" Camera Operator
2017
Steadicam Operator
2013
"A" Camera Operator
2015
"B" Camera Operator
2013
Steadicam Operator
2013
Steadicam Operator
2010
"A" Camera Operator
2010
Steadicam Operator
2013
"A" Camera Operator
2013
"B" Camera Operator
2016
Steadicam Operator
2016
Steadicam Operator
2010
"B" Camera Operator
2010
"A" Camera Operator
2023
Steadicam Operator
2023
Steadicam Operator
2011
"A" Camera Operator
2011
Camera Operator
2008
Steadicam Operator
2008
"A" Camera Operator
2015
Steadicam Operator
2015
Steadicam Operator
1999
Second Unit Director of Photography
2005
Steadicam Operator
2005
"A" Camera Operator
2001
Steadicam Operator
2001
Steadicam Operator
2006
"A" Camera Operator
2012
Steadicam Operator
2012
"A" Camera Operator
2008
Steadicam Operator
2008
Steadicam Operator
2007
Steadicam Operator
2007
"A" Camera Operator
2010
Steadicam Operator
2010
"A" Camera Operator
2012
Steadicam Operator
2012
Steadicam Operator
2010
Steadicam Operator
1997
"A" Camera Operator
2014
Steadicam Operator
2014
"C" Camera Operator
2009
Steadicam Operator
2014
Steadicam Operator
1997
"B" Camera Operator
2002
Steadicam Operator
2002
Camera Operator
2004
Steadicam Operator
2004
Steadicam Operator
1998
Steadicam Operator
1997
Steadicam Operator
2000
Steadicam Operator
1998
Camera Operator
1998
Steadicam Operator
1998
Camera Operator
2008
Steadicam Operator
2008
"B" Camera Operator
2006
Camera Operator
1998
"A" Camera Operator
2006
Steadicam Operator
2006
Steadicam Operator
2006
Steadicam Operator
1998
Steadicam Operator
1999
Steadicam Operator
2001
