When we watch a film, we’re captivated by the action, the actors, and the seamless storytelling. Rarely do we pause to consider the hands that made those captivating shots possible—the ones who light the scenes, create the shadows, and bring the director’s vision to life. David Childers is one of those hands. And in his new memoir, Let’s Roll Some Film, he finally steps into the spotlight to tell the story that’s been missing from Hollywood’s narrative.
Childers spent over four decades working in the film industry, mostly as a key grip and then a gaffer in Utah—a role few outside of the industry fully understand. His book is not just a collection of on-set memories; it’s a deeply personal account of what it truly takes to make movie magic from the shadows.
His story doesn’t begin with film school or a passion for cinema. In fact, Childers originally set out to become an FBI agent. With a degree in Administration of Justice and a spot waiting for him at the FBI Academy, life had other plans. One summer, his girlfriend’s father—who worked in the entertainment union in San Francisco—offered him a temporary job in the film business. That “summer job” turned into a lifelong career.
In Let’s Roll Some Film, Childers walks us through his early days, learning everything from the bottom up. With zero experience in the field, he embraced each opportunity as a chance to learn, get better, and prove himself. His commitment and curiosity soon landed him jobs on films that would go on to define generations.
And what a resume he built.
From Return of the Jedi, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and The Right Stuff to Mrs.
Doubtfire, Milk, No Country for Old Men, and even Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Childers has seen—and helped create—it all. But his memoir isn’t just a name-dropping exercise. It’s about
the real work behind the scenes: battling the elements, lifting heavy equipment, working 14-hour days, and improvising on the spot when weather or unexpected chaos threatened to derail a shoot.
One standout example comes from the filming of Shoot the Moon, where he worked in pouring rain to rebuild and prep a house that had been hauled in six sections just for a shoot. Or the time on Poltergeist when Childers helped create the effect of flying books and whirling chaos in a young girl’s bedroom—all done practically, before CGI existed.
The stories are technical, yes, but they’re also full of humor, heart, and humanity. Childers doesn’t shy away from the personal cost of a career that demands long hours and time away from family. He dedicates his book to his children, acknowledging the recitals and games he missed.
He thanks his wife Julie for being his soulmate through the ups and downs of a non-stop schedule.
Let’s Roll Some Film stands out because it’s written by someone who’s been behind the camera his entire life—but never behind a desk. His voice is honest, raw, and experienced. He doesn’t dramatize or exaggerate; he simply tells it like it was—and that authenticity makes every story land with meaning.
If you’ve ever watched a movie and thought, “How did they do that?”, this book is for you. If you’ve ever wondered about the people whose names roll by in the credits long after the
audience has left, this book brings them to life.
David Childers may have worked in the shadows, but with Let’s Roll Some Film, his story is finally in the light. And it’s a story worth rolling the camera for.