Curt O. Schaller
Cinematographer · Inventor · Mentor

The mindbehindthe motion.

Curt O. Schaller is a cinematographer and the developer of ARRI’s camera stabilization systems. In 2025 he received the Academy Scientific and Engineering Award for the concept, design, and development of TRINITY 2.

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 Oswald Schaller, born on 22 June 1964 in Munich, begins his training as a camera assistant and cinematographer in 1984 at the Bavaria Film and Television Studios. In the early 1990s he specialises in international documentaries; later he works as cinematographer and Steadicam operator for TV series, feature films, shows, and documentaries.

In the late 1990s he begins to develop his own camera stabilization systems. The work culminates in 2001 with the launch of the artemis line at Sachtler — the world’s first modular camera stabilization system, introduced at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. In 2015 he develops the TRINITY system together with Dr. Roman Foltyn, the first rig to combine mechanical and electronic stabilization in a single device.

In April 2016 he moves the entire artemis portfolio to ARRI, where he advances its development as product manager and later brings TRINITY 2 to market. In 2025 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honours him with the Scientific and Engineering Award.

  1. 1984

    Training · Bavaria Film

    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.

  4. 2001

    artemis · Sachtler / Vitec

    Market launch at NAB Show, Las Vegas — the world's first modular camera stabilization system. artemis-HD: first Full-HD system.

  5. 2015

    TRINITY

    First camera stabilization system to combine mechanical and electronic stabilization in a single rig — developed together with Dr. Roman Foltyn.

  6. 2016

    Joins ARRI

    Product manager for camera stabilization systems. The same year: Cine Gear Technical Award & cinecAward for TRINITY.

  7. 2017

    BIRTV Award · Beijing

    Honoured for the development of the TRINITY system.

  8. 2022

    TRINITY 2

    Launch of the next-generation system at ARRI. Reduced weight, expanded stabilization modes, refined operating logic.

  9. 2025

    Academy Scientific & Engineering Award

    Awarded together with Dr. Roman Foltyn for the concept, design, and development of TRINITY 2 — one of the highest honours in film technology worldwide.

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. Workshops & Trainings

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

    Munich · DACH

  2. R&D Consulting

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

    NDA · Worldwide

  3. 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