Job roles

 

What does a director of photography do?

Directors of photography are responsible for the photographic heart of a production.

They read the screenplay and work closely with the director to discuss the look and feel of a film. They then research how to create the look through lighting, framing and camera movement and what they will need in terms of kit and crew to achieve this.

On each day of filming, DoPs and their camera crews arrive early to set up and rehearse. Working with the director, the DoPs do blocking (decide the exact movements of both actors and camera). They discuss any special camera moves or lighting requirements with the camera operator, gaffer and grip. Each shot is marked up for focus and framing by the focus puller and then the DoP oversees the lighting of the set for the first take.

It’s the job of DoPs to make sure every shot is usable and flag them when they’re not. They view the rushes (raw footage) with the director and work closely with the colourist in post-production. On smaller productions they shoot as well.

What’s a director of photography good at?

  • Photography: have an eye for composition, know how to tell a story through a shot, understand camera and lighting techniques, know how to use them to affect emotions
  • Technical knowledge of cameras: have an in-depth understanding of all motion picture equipment, cameras, lens, monitors and lights
  • Editing knowledge: understand the post-production work flow, have a good eye for colour in the editing process
  • Making decisions: think quickly, often under pressure
  • Organisation: plan, know how to do things and how long it will take, get the right kit and crew, manage the budget, think about logistical and artistic considerations at the same time
  • Communication: ensure everyone in the team knows what’s expected, work closely with the grips and the gaffer, lead the team and resolve conflicts in situations that can sometimes be stressful

 

What does a director do?

Directors are the creative leads of the film. They hold the creative vision throughout the whole process, from pre-production through to the final edit.

They are employed by the executive producer or producer, who is ultimately in charge of a production. Directors start with a script, and work with a screenwriter and sometimes a script editing team. It’s not uncommon for the director to be the screenwriter as well.

It is the job of a director to imagine the script in a visual form. As soon as a production has raised the cash it needs, either through being funded or commissioned, they work closely with the producers to appoint the heads of department, such as the director of photography, assistant director and production designer.

What’s a director good at?

  • Leadership: share the vision of the film with a range of people from different departments, inspire them to do their best work, manage the cast and crew, make creative decisions
  • Imagination: envisage the film you want to make, see it, hear it, create the vision and execute it
  • Arts knowledge: have a passion for and deep knowledge of film and TV drama, appreciate all genres of art, so as to be able to draw ideas from a range of sources
  • Production: understand the film or TV drama production process from start to finish, from both technical and creative points of view
  • Staying calm under pressure: work methodically within a high-stress environment, make creative decisions when things don’t go to plan

 

What does a production designer do?

Production designers create the way a film or TV drama looks. Films can be set in any number of places; a Victorian orphanage, a Caribbean cruise ship, or another planet, for example. They work with all the other visual departments, costume, lighting, visual and special effects, and graphic design. They help create the visual world in which the story is set. 

Production designers start with the script. Researching and collaborating with the director, director of photography and other heads of department, they imagine the screenplay visually. They draw sketches showing mood, atmosphere, lighting, composition, colour and texture, which are given to the art director to develop.

Then they work with other art department members to draw up a budget.  They prioritise the work schedule and allocate the management of finances to team members performing different tasks. They are usually freelancers.

What’s a production designer good at?

  • Creativity: visualise the whole look of a film or TV drama, starting with words on a page
  • Art: draw by hand to scale, do technical drawings and computer-aided design
  • Design: understand colour theory, know the history of architecture and interior design
  • Knowledge of photography: understand cameras, lenses and lighting and their effect on a film’s look and mood
  • Organisation: manage budgets, draw up schedules, prioritise and meet deadlines
  • Communication: share the vision with a wide number of different people and keep a team working together well

Career map

Looking for further advice?

If you’re interested in a career in sales, marketing and distribution in the film and TV industries, check out these websites to find out more:

ScreenSkills, for information on careers and courses: screenskills.com/careers-in-films Independent Cinema Office, UK body supporting independent cinemas and film festivals:

independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/distribution

Film Export UK, trade body for companies with UK offices that sell independent feature films internationally: filmexportuk.com

British Film Institute: bfi.org.uk
Royal Television Society: rts.org.uk
Bectu, the media and entertainment union: bectu.org.uk
Film Distributors’ Association, trade body of film distributors: launchingfilms.com

beach project job roles

What does a camera operator do?

Camera operators are responsible for capturing the action. They shoot what’s happening, whether that’s on location for a news programme or documentary or a large multi-camera studio show or a major outside broadcast. They know which cameras to use in which conditions and consider the composition, framing and movement of a shot.

 

What does a researcher do?

Researchers are key to any production because they find the people, the places, the facts, figures and stories that are at the heart of every TV show. In other words, the content. 

 

What does a producer director do?

Producer directors do two jobs at once; creating and producing the content while also directing the action. On a high-budget show, they may direct a crew with one or two cameras. On smaller shoots, more often than not they operate the camera themselves. In effect this means they do three jobs at once.

 

What does a logger do?

If you were about to edit an hour-long unscripted TV show, you might find yourself faced with hours and hours of footage and wonder where on earth to start. Loggers watch all the rushes (raw footage) and create a detailed document describing what footage is on which tape. They ‘log’ the timecodes as they go, sometimes using specific software to do this. This enables editors to find what they need to cut together a programme.