B-camera operator Ali Khalid Al-Ghamdi was among 106 Saudi talents who contributed to bringing the Kingdom-backed Hollywood film '7 Dogs' to life on the big screen. The movie, released on May 27, garnered regional and global attention, with many praising it as one of the largest and most action-packed productions from the region.
Al-Ghamdi described his professional journey on set as a life-altering learning experience, filled with explosive action, fun moments with the cast and crew, and unforgettable memories. He expressed admiration for the directorial duo Bilall Fallah and Adil El-Arbi, known for their work on 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' and 'Ms. Marvel,' saying, 'They are two directors but one mind, terrifyingly in sync, with incredibly high energy that brought vitality to the set.'
Recalling his first day, Al-Ghamdi shared a humorous incident where a director requested a 'dutch tilt,' an angled camera technique for suspense. Initially misunderstanding, he thought the director was warning against tilting the camera. After clarification, he adopted the technique, which expanded his creative approach. 'I had been filming for three years, and no one had ever requested a dutch angle. It was weird, but it brought me out of my box,' he said.
Another learning opportunity came from working with second unit director of photography Andrew Banwell, an expert in steadicam operation. Al-Ghamdi offered his own camera stabilizer for free to gain experience from Banwell's mastery. 'It was a masterclass for me. You can offer what you have, and the return is way bigger than you expect,' he noted.
'7 Dogs' is considered one of the largest Arab cinematic productions, filmed in Riyadh with a cast including Martin Lawrence, Monica Bellucci, Giancarlo Esposito, and Salman Khan. The action-thriller centers on an Interpol agent teaming with a gang member to confront a drug trafficking network. The film set a Guinness World Record for the largest on-screen explosion, measuring 170.7 tonnes of TNT equivalent. Al-Ghamdi was present to capture it, saying, 'The world shakes around you, and I had to hold my camera knowing there was no second take. Safety precautions were crucial.'
Al-Ghamdi also shared lighter moments, such as getting too close to Esposito, learning that camera operators must anticipate actors' movements. His previous experience includes working on 'Desert Warrior' in Neom and 'Sisu: Road to Revenge' in Estonia, as well as Saudi productions like 'Alhamour H.A.' and 'Sattar.' He noted that international productions have more detailed call sheets and discipline compared to Saudi ones.
Offering advice to aspiring Saudi filmmakers, he emphasized, 'Don't rush the learning experience. For 'Desert Warrior,' I fetched coffee and cleaned filters, but I wanted to learn. You have to learn to get where you want. Don't be afraid to ask questions.' Saudi entertainment companies prioritize local talent inclusion, and the '7 Dogs' production involved 60 trainees and 46 professionals across various departments, reflecting a commitment to hands-on learning.
