5 answers
Brooklyn
Student
Savannah, Georgia
1
Question
Asked
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What are some foot-in-the-door positions in the industry for aspiring cinematographers?
College, film major, internships, career pathways
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5 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
2447
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Brooklyn !
It's wonderful that you are taking the path for film ! You're just starting to learn one of the most exciting careers as a film major ! I appreciate your enthusiasm for wanting to know how to get your foot in the door for a Film Career.
Here's the thing: no one is going to be able to tell you what first career job you will get and because everyone's film career goes differently, and it's a process, the best thing to do is focus on the here and now. It's not even worth thinking about right now. What is worth doing right now ? Starting independent film projects that you put together. This may be part of your courses, creating student films and making them the most exciting stories you can think of. So one of the first things you can do since this is your first year of film school is create.
As you move along with school, you are going to see some opportunities come your way, some may be unpaid and some very well may be paid. It's vital to make very strong connections with the professors, other film students and staff in the film department at your school. Networking and connections are everything in this business. Atlanta is very hot right now for lots of film and television production, so you may want to explore the Atlanta community in your free time.
The film studios in Atlanta are Pinewood Studios, Tyler Perry Studios, EUE/Screen Gems Soundstages, Atlanta Metro Studios and Atlanta Filmworks Studio. You are 249 miles away from Atlanta, so you can start out by exploring volunteer opportunities at Savannah Film Studios right in your town. My advice is, look for internships, but volunteer work is easier to get and will be good credit on your resume. Volunteer work is usually quicker to get.
The most important thing of them all is to come to terms with the process. You will learn how to get work. Try not to pre-determine your career or try to predict how it will go. Just enjoy each project you work on as you work on them. That is what will keep you grounded and open to recognizing opportunities.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
It's wonderful that you are taking the path for film ! You're just starting to learn one of the most exciting careers as a film major ! I appreciate your enthusiasm for wanting to know how to get your foot in the door for a Film Career.
Here's the thing: no one is going to be able to tell you what first career job you will get and because everyone's film career goes differently, and it's a process, the best thing to do is focus on the here and now. It's not even worth thinking about right now. What is worth doing right now ? Starting independent film projects that you put together. This may be part of your courses, creating student films and making them the most exciting stories you can think of. So one of the first things you can do since this is your first year of film school is create.
As you move along with school, you are going to see some opportunities come your way, some may be unpaid and some very well may be paid. It's vital to make very strong connections with the professors, other film students and staff in the film department at your school. Networking and connections are everything in this business. Atlanta is very hot right now for lots of film and television production, so you may want to explore the Atlanta community in your free time.
The film studios in Atlanta are Pinewood Studios, Tyler Perry Studios, EUE/Screen Gems Soundstages, Atlanta Metro Studios and Atlanta Filmworks Studio. You are 249 miles away from Atlanta, so you can start out by exploring volunteer opportunities at Savannah Film Studios right in your town. My advice is, look for internships, but volunteer work is easier to get and will be good credit on your resume. Volunteer work is usually quicker to get.
The most important thing of them all is to come to terms with the process. You will learn how to get work. Try not to pre-determine your career or try to predict how it will go. Just enjoy each project you work on as you work on them. That is what will keep you grounded and open to recognizing opportunities.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
Devin Rice
Filmmaker
8
Answers
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Updated
Devin’s Answer
Hi Brooklyn,
There are several good suggestions from others here, but I would add that one of the old school traditional pathways to becoming a DP is to get on a small indie film as a 2nd AC (Assistant Camera). Mostly this involves slating and helping with whatever the 1st AC or the DP needs (getting lenses, hauling equipment cases, loading the truck, etc.). This is a good way to learn camera department equipment and terminology. You also learn set protocol and by watching closely, you can learn what the 1st AC does and even pick up techniques from the DP. A good onset strategy is, (aside from doing your job efficiently, quietly and being mindful to stay out of the way of others doing their jobs), when you're not busy, keep your eye on a monitor with the camera feed. You can study things like composition, camera movement, focus and lighting by watching carefully. Then, when you're on your own, practice the techniques you observed on set. Of course, it goes without saying, get a camera of your own! Even an inexpensive used DSLR with a couple of inexpensive primes can be a valuable tool. If you want to become a cinematographer, you need to practice the craft often - try out things, make mistakes, learn from them. Make films. Study what worked and what didn't. Then make more films. Team up with an aspiring director who has good story ideas. The relationships you forge today can carry through your entire career.
I wish you well on your filmmaking journey!
There are several good suggestions from others here, but I would add that one of the old school traditional pathways to becoming a DP is to get on a small indie film as a 2nd AC (Assistant Camera). Mostly this involves slating and helping with whatever the 1st AC or the DP needs (getting lenses, hauling equipment cases, loading the truck, etc.). This is a good way to learn camera department equipment and terminology. You also learn set protocol and by watching closely, you can learn what the 1st AC does and even pick up techniques from the DP. A good onset strategy is, (aside from doing your job efficiently, quietly and being mindful to stay out of the way of others doing their jobs), when you're not busy, keep your eye on a monitor with the camera feed. You can study things like composition, camera movement, focus and lighting by watching carefully. Then, when you're on your own, practice the techniques you observed on set. Of course, it goes without saying, get a camera of your own! Even an inexpensive used DSLR with a couple of inexpensive primes can be a valuable tool. If you want to become a cinematographer, you need to practice the craft often - try out things, make mistakes, learn from them. Make films. Study what worked and what didn't. Then make more films. Team up with an aspiring director who has good story ideas. The relationships you forge today can carry through your entire career.
I wish you well on your filmmaking journey!
Emeka Mbadiwe
Filmmaker
12
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Emeka’s Answer
Hello young cinematographer. It is wonderful that you are looking to become an exceptional cinematographer. Exceptional because you are seeking advice on how to do what is necessary to win, so that automatically shows your dedication to creating exceptional work.
The fastest way in the industry will be connections. You will make those connections working on sets as a PA. Production assistant. Granted you have the available time, I would offer to work on people’s projects for free and the people you will meet will be your next on set experience. As you navigate through the being on set system, you will also be shooting things on your own that you will use to produce an excellence cinematography reel that you will share with people as you meet them. Study the best cinematographers and practice getting beautiful shots and put together something that will blow people away when they see it. The connections will be made on the sets. Meet people, introduce yourself, smile, let people know who you are and tell them that you’re glad to meet them., From there the sky will be your limit.
Approach it and be the best. If you believe that you can be the best you will. All things are possible to those who believe.
Best
Emeka
The fastest way in the industry will be connections. You will make those connections working on sets as a PA. Production assistant. Granted you have the available time, I would offer to work on people’s projects for free and the people you will meet will be your next on set experience. As you navigate through the being on set system, you will also be shooting things on your own that you will use to produce an excellence cinematography reel that you will share with people as you meet them. Study the best cinematographers and practice getting beautiful shots and put together something that will blow people away when they see it. The connections will be made on the sets. Meet people, introduce yourself, smile, let people know who you are and tell them that you’re glad to meet them., From there the sky will be your limit.
Approach it and be the best. If you believe that you can be the best you will. All things are possible to those who believe.
Best
Emeka
Ivo Raza
filmmaker
4
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Ivo’s Answer
Hey there, a few ways into the career. The classic approach is to start working as a PA, then chat with the camera folks that you'd like to PA in the camera department.
Another option is to get an entry level job at a camera rental house. Great way to learn about the latest gear and play with it. You'll also meet a lot of the renters to whom you can express the desire to work in the camera department.
Third option is to reach out to production companies/producers and offer to intern.
Or reach out to local DPs and offer to interns/volunteer on their personal jobs. And PA on paid gigs.
Most importantly, network and shoot stuff. Get whatever gear you can and shoot, shoot, shoot. Offer to shoot indie short films. Build up a reel and keep improving it as you earn and get your hands on better gear.
best of luck
Another option is to get an entry level job at a camera rental house. Great way to learn about the latest gear and play with it. You'll also meet a lot of the renters to whom you can express the desire to work in the camera department.
Third option is to reach out to production companies/producers and offer to intern.
Or reach out to local DPs and offer to interns/volunteer on their personal jobs. And PA on paid gigs.
Most importantly, network and shoot stuff. Get whatever gear you can and shoot, shoot, shoot. Offer to shoot indie short films. Build up a reel and keep improving it as you earn and get your hands on better gear.
best of luck
Chris Ross Leong
Producer Writer Director DP Editor
5
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Chris Ross’s Answer
Yeah. Good question.
How do you get good?
You practice. A lot.
Don't care about money, jobs, pay, equipment.
Get the best gear you can afford (don't own, rent) and know your local rental houses VERY well. Work there to get your relationships top notch. This is your professional life-blood for this uncertain industry.
Then... go the apprentice/assistant route to the best DP's you can reach.
Then shoot shoot shoot. Day, night, all hours and weathers. All lighting and lack-of-lighting conditions.
For lighting, stills photography counts as well.
Sure, to get hired it's going to be your reel first, but anything visual on your website or soc media pages will also add or subtract from your look and feel.
For pure cinematography, each shot should speak along these basic lines:
emotion
lighting
texture
background
balance
movement
shape
if it's not emotional first, if your image is just a pretty picture and not an icon, you're already behind.
get your shots to mean something to you, make you feel something, first and foremost.
if your blood rushes when you see the shot, then ours will too. If you're meh, then guess what?
Ask more if you want!
All the best!
How do you get good?
You practice. A lot.
Don't care about money, jobs, pay, equipment.
Get the best gear you can afford (don't own, rent) and know your local rental houses VERY well. Work there to get your relationships top notch. This is your professional life-blood for this uncertain industry.
Then... go the apprentice/assistant route to the best DP's you can reach.
Then shoot shoot shoot. Day, night, all hours and weathers. All lighting and lack-of-lighting conditions.
For lighting, stills photography counts as well.
Sure, to get hired it's going to be your reel first, but anything visual on your website or soc media pages will also add or subtract from your look and feel.
For pure cinematography, each shot should speak along these basic lines:
emotion
lighting
texture
background
balance
movement
shape
if it's not emotional first, if your image is just a pretty picture and not an icon, you're already behind.
get your shots to mean something to you, make you feel something, first and foremost.
if your blood rushes when you see the shot, then ours will too. If you're meh, then guess what?
Ask more if you want!
All the best!