Curt O. Schaller
Cinematographer · Inventor · Mentor

The mindbehindthe motion.

Curt O. Schaller is the inventor of the camera stabilization systems TRINITY and ARTEMIS, as well as a strategic advisor and developer for product strategy and technical ecosystems. Spanning development, production, sales, and marketing. In 2025, he was honored with the Academy Scientific and Engineering Award (Oscar).

40+ Years in craft
2025 Oscar · Sci-Tech
Curt O. Schaller with the Academy Scientific and Engineering Award 2025

From Bavaria Studios to the Oscar.

Curt O. Schaller has developed two camera stabilization systems that became the world standard for the film industry — artemis (2001) and TRINITY (from late 2014, further developed into TRINITY 2, 2022). In 2025, he was honored with the Academy Scientific and Engineering Award (Oscar) for this work, followed in 2026 by the Engineering, Science & Technology Emmy Award from the Television Academy.

Before he developed systems, he needed them himself on set: training in 1984 at the Bavaria Film Studios, followed by years as a cameraman and Steadicam operator on primetime programming for Germany’s public broadcasters and on international film and TV productions. This hands-on experience remains the foundation of his development work — and of his advisory work today.

Since 1984, he has moved through nearly every stage of the field: from operator to inventor to product manager at ARRI, where he guided a system to market maturity and global adoption. He now brings this experience to bear as a strategic advisor for internationally leading companies in camera support and systems integration — on product strategy, technical ecosystems, and their market introduction.

Alongside this, he has shared his knowledge worldwide as a lecturer since 1998 (including at the Sachtler Academy, ARRI Academy, and Munich Filmwerkstatt) and speaks on invention, filmmaking craft, and the connection between humans and machines.

  1. 1984

    Training at the Bavaria-Film-Studios · Munich

    Camera assistant, later cinematographer at the Bavaria Film and Television Studios.

  2. 1990 s

    International documentaries & series

    Studio cinematographer, then specialises in international documentaries. From the mid-90s: cinematographer and Steadicam operator on series, features, shows, and documentaries.

  3. 1998

    Teaching · worldwide

    Begins teaching Steadicam operators — later at Sachtler Academy, ARRI Academy, Münchner Filmwerkstatt, Gerasimov Institute Moscow. Training program recognized by the BVK, the German Society of Cinematographers, since 2006.

  4. 2001

    artemis · Sachtler / Vitec

    Launch of the ARTEMIS Cine HD System at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. The world's first modular Full HD camera stabilization system.

  5. 2012

    Idea for TRINITY

    Concept for a modular, hybrid camera stabilization system; initial implementation steps based on artemis.

  6. 2015

    TRINITY

    The first hybrid camera stabilization system to combine mechanical and electronic stabilization in a single rig. Developed at Sachtler with the support of Dr. Roman Foltyn.

  7. 2016

    Joins ARRI

    Product development, production management, and full-cycle product responsibility. Establishment of direct and online sales channels, as well as a global network of retailers and distributors. Design of marketing campaigns and promotional videos; planning and execution of trade show appearances.

  8. 2016

    Cine Gear Award · Los Angeles

    Awarded for the development of the TRINITY system.

  9. 2016

    CINEC Award · Munich

    Honoured for the development of the TRINITY system.

  10. 2017

    BIRTV Award · Beijing

    Honoured for the development of the TRINITY system.

  11. 2022

    TRINITY 2

    ARRI launches the next generation of the TRINITY camera stabilization system. Reduced weight, expanded stabilization modes, redesigned control logic, and a fully digital system with a new ecosystem.

  12. 2025

    Oscar Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)

    Awarded the Academy Scientific and Engineering Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for the concept, design, and development of the TRINITY camera stabilizer system at a ceremony held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles (USA) in April 2025.

  13. 2026

    Emmy Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS)

    Honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS) for the development of the TRINITY 2 camera stabilization system with the Engineering, Science & Technology Emmy Award, which will be presented on October 14, 2026, at the awards ceremony at the Saban Media Center of the Television Academy in Hollywood.

Inventions & development.

artemis

2001

Developed at Sachtler — the world's first modular camera stabilization system. Premiered at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. A kit-based architecture that lets operators assemble different camera configurations from a single shared system.

TRINITY

2015

Developed together with Dr. Roman Foltyn. The first hybrid rig to combine mechanical Steadicam stabilization and electronic gimbal stabilization in a single device. Enables continuous camera movement from any position — floor to overhead — without setup changes.

TRINITY 2

2022

Next-generation successor at ARRI. Reduced weight, expanded stabilization modes, refined operating logic. Concept, design, and development by Curt O. Schaller.

Academy Scientific and Engineering Award 2025

Patents & property rights.

The following 19 patents and 27 property rights are by Curt O. Schaller. The TRINITY system is built on them — each describes a function or solution also embodied in TRINITY.

active in force

Camera stabilization arrangement

TRINITY
  • DE102022104329 A1
  • EP4236339 A1
  • US2023/0269473 A1
  • US12284441 B2
  • CN116647757 A

Locking / blocking device for camera holder

TRINITY related
  • DE202021104086 U1
  • EP4141313 A1
  • EP4141313 B1
  • US2023/0132829 A1
  • US11946586 B2
  • CN115681690 A
  • CN115681690 B

Horizon-stabilized camera carrier

TRINITY related
  • DE102023117835 A1

Mount for camera or camera accessory

TRINITY related
  • USD1008344 S1

Decoupled weight compensation system for a camera balance device

  • WO2003023273 A1
  • DE10145197 A1
  • DE10145197 B4
  • EP1430250 A1
  • EP1430250 B1
  • ATE286224 T1
  • AU2002339543 A1
  • AU2002339543 B2
  • US2005/0053371 A1
  • US7390131 B2
  • JP2005502846 A
  • JP4191601 B2

Cardanic suspension device for a camera balance device

  • EP1425535 A1
  • EP1425535 B1
  • AU2002327856 A1
  • AU2002325953 A1
  • US2005/0031336 A1
  • US2005/0036781 A1
  • US7192203 B2
  • US7255499 B2

Body-worn camera support with multifunctional electrical assembly

  • WO2003024093 A1
  • DE national entries from WO2003024093
  • AU2002337088 A1
  • US7646424 B2

Body-mounted support / spring arm and body harness

  • DE102005017487 A1
  • DE502006000415 D1
  • EP1712828 A2
  • EP1712828 A3
  • EP1712828 B1
  • ATE388370 T1
  • AU2006201355 A1
  • AU2006201355 B2
  • JP2006301621 A
  • US2006/0258495 A1
  • US7562851 B2

Camera stabilization device and camera support device

  • DE102015107483 A1
  • DE102015107483 B4
  • EP3101327 A1
  • EP3101327 B1

Today.

  1. Strategy & Advisory - Full Cycle Management

    Forty years between invention and market. From development through production to sales and marketing. Bringing this full-cycle experience to product strategy, technical ecosystems, and their go-to-market.

    Munich · worldwide

  2. Workshops & Trainings

    Intensive trainings for operators and crews. From first set-up to your own signature in motion.

    Munich · DACH

  3. R&D Consulting

    Engineering consultation for manufacturers, studios, and research labs — mechanical, sensoric, mechatronic.

    NDA · Worldwide

  4. Talks & Lectures

    Talks on invention, filmcraft, and the bridge between human and machine — festivals and film schools.

    Keynotes

Get in touch.

I read every message myself. Write me anytime — workshop, R&D inquiry, talk, or just hello. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

— Curt

Send a message
Munich · Worldwide