For the past decade, Carey Duffy, Director of Product Experiences at Cooke Optics, has been a steadfast supporter of Terre di Cinema, playing a key role in shaping the experience of emerging cinematographers at the CineCampus. With a deep passion for both technical innovation and artistic storytelling, Carey has championed Cooke’s involvement in the program, ensuring that young filmmakers gain hands-on experience with world-class optics. In this interview, he reflects on the unique educational approach of Terre di Cinema, the impact of working with 35mm film, and why Cooke remains committed to fostering the next generation of cinematographers at TDC.

Cooke Optics has been a key technical partner of Terre di Cinema for the past seven editions, with your involvement dating back to 2015. What initially inspired you to champion Cooke’s participation in the CineCampus, and what has kept you coming back year after year? 

The reason I, and therefore Cooke, has continued to champion Terre Di Cinema is based around the unique way it educates the whole camera department, not just cinematographers. Since our products are available to rent globally, TDC exposes us to a global cohort of attendees that aligns with our customer base. The opportunity to educate and give young filmmakers from around the globe the chance to repeatedly work with our lenses on an intensive program is invaluable. Working in such a focused environment, across a range of scripts, collaborating with different crews members with diverse cultural experiences, and covering multiple camera department disciplines enriches the experience for everyone. 

·         Your Perspective on the CineCampus Formula: 
Having witnessed the evolution of Terre di Cinema up close, what do you think are the key elements behind the success of the CineCampus? How does the program resonate with Cooke’s mission to support and inspire the next generation of filmmakers? 

The campus has a unique mix of youthful, exuberant, and hardworking individuals, supported by a group of dedicated professional educators. When you combine that with shooting on 35mm film, you have an intoxicating cocktail. Since film is a finite capture medium, it concentrates the minds of all involved. Combined with an intensive training workshop, the cohort bonds quickly as a team. You can literally see them eat and breathe filmmaking, craft and technique. Even though English or Italian may not be everyone’s native language, the cohort’s willingness to support each other to succeed is palpable. To experience collaborative learning at TDC inspires me to continue supporting the CineCampus. 

Supporting Cinematographers through Cooke: 
As Director of Product Experiences at Cooke Optics, your work bridges technical innovation and artistic vision. How do initiatives like Terre di Cinema align with your approach to fostering meaningful relationships  with cinematographers, especially emerging talents? 

Terre Di Cinema gives me the opportunity to be at the heart of the discussion. Either educating or answering people’s questions, be that technique or problem solving. Though we can only support with a selection of lens series, we have many more and attendees have various experience with those from prior projects. As a company, we need to listen as much as we need to inform. Being at the campus during the prep period supporting all involved offers us a unique insight and hopefully future relationships with members of the cohort. Emerging talent is, after all, our future. 

·         A Decade of Engagement and Inspiration: 
Reflecting on your years of presenting at Terre di Cinema, from Tiffen to Cooke, what have been some of your most memorable moments? How has your involvement with the TDC CineCampus influenced your perspective on cinematography education and community-building? 

To be honest, I don’t know of a direct comparison to TDC. When I worked at Tiffen, I was exposed to feedback from various Steadicam operators about workshops they had attended. I was always struck whilst exhibiting at trade shows (globally), how Steadicam operators spoke glowingly about their 5-day experience at whatever exotic location and how that played a major part in their progression in becoming a more competent operator. For me, TDC is a cinematographer’s equivalent workshop, though amplified because of its duration and that film is the medium. I’m always struck how TDC alumni enthuse about their time on campus. Since I don’t stay for the full duration of the campus, hearing tales of the attendees’ experience years later is testament to the impact it had on them. My round up is that TDC is the closest thing to working on an international production on location. Experiences are shared and lifelong working relationships are forged.