WHO IS THE TRUE DIRECTOR? (Hire a DP Who Is a DP… Huh?)

CINEMATOGRAPHERS ARE DIRECTORS

For a first-time filmmaker (aka: aspiring director), with a script and a little bit of cash (Micro- or No-Budget), unquestionably the most important person you hire will always be the Cinematographer.

Deal Site - Camera (Cinematographers are now called Director-of-Photography)

But please hire a Cinematographer who is a DP. Not someone who merely bought 2 cameras and has a business card stating “DP”.

DP? Yes, Cinematographers are now called DPs, or DOPs, or Directors Of Photography.

Why?

Simple. 25+ years ago Cinematographers got pissed at Directors.

Why? Because Directors always get the majority of credit for making the feature film that eventually the Cinematographers union, ICG600 (International Cinematographers Guild) & Local IATSE600 (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees), went on strike stating they (“Cinematographers”) would not work on any film that was associated with the Directors Guild.

The Directors Guild instantly realized that they did not know how to make a feature film without the Cinematographers… and capitulated by agreeing that from now on, with respect to Opening Title Credits, the Cinematographers could now put the word DIRECTOR into their title and now be called DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY.

Hmmm? Very interesting.

THE DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (aka: DP)

Once again: If you want to make your first feature, then without a question the most important person you hire is not (A) going to be the Director (which is probably yourself), (B) not the Line Producer (former Production Manager with a little bit of an attitude), not the (C) Production Designer (who really makes everything look right), not the (D) Editor (the person that really puts the puzzle together) but the “DP”.

Director-5  (POINT #1: Directors like Photo Ops of them pointing by a camera)

The DP is the MOST IMPORTANT person you hire….for only the DP (aka: Cinematographer) knows truly how to mechanically make a feature film, what camera to use and why, what lens to use and when, what shot to get and where, what coverage to get, etc…

The DP is super important.

Thus please doe not hire someone who is merely 1-2 years out of a 4-year theory laden film program with little-to-no experience but tons of romantic theory..

Hire a DP who is a DP!

Do not hire a DP who is an AC “saying he is a DP” and absolutely DO NOT hire some kid out of, again, those ridiculous 2-4 year film programs even if he/she has a degree in Cinematography.

Again, hire a DP who is a DP!

Let me explain.

THE CAMERA CREW

First off a “DP” is an abbreviation for a “Director of Photography”, sometimes called a “D-O-P” or the “Cinematographer” and a camera-crew, has 3-4 more people attached.

They are the (1) Cinematographer (called a “DP” or “DOP”), a (2) Camera Operator (called an “Operator”), a (3) 1st Assistant Cameraman (called a 1st AC or a “Focus-Puller”), a (4) 2nd Assistant Cameraman (called a “Clapper-Loader”) and, today, now that we have so many electronic/digital/HD cameras there is another person called a Digital Intermediary Technician (called a “DIT”)…

Oh yeah and if you’re shooting 3D (a forthcoming Hot Tip) you’ll need a “Stereographer”.

Sounds pretty complicated. Well, it isn’t.

Lets simplify it.

The 4 people of a camera crew are….

  1. DP (Director of Photography)
  2. CO (Camera Operator)
  3. 1st AC (Focus Puller)
  4. 2nd AC (Clapper Loader, aka: DIT)
  5. DIT and/or Stereographer

Sometimes they’re just called a “DP”, “Operator”, “1st AC” and “2nd AC”.

Voilla!

Now, who’s who and what’s the pecking order?

6 YEARS & 60 SHOOTS

When someone graduates a 2-4 year $100,000 film school and desires to be a Cinematographer (aka: DP or DOP) they move to NY or LA (people don’t move to Chicago) and get their first job ($250-$300/week) at a camera rental facility sweeping up, inventorying and driving replacement parts out to shoots.

Director-3  (POINT #2: Repeat Point #1, “Directors like Photo Ops of them pointing next to a camera)

He/she does this for about 2 years and learns all about professional cameras.

Now, at the camera rental facility everyday the real DPs come in to pick up their 35MM/4K camera packages, for the next shoot, to test.

This kid, the driver-janitor of the facility, goes up to the DP and says “Hi. I love your work. If you ever need an AC I’d love to be your “AC”… Then the kid gives the DP a business card that states “AC”.

Over 2 years this kid has done this 30-40 times.

Eventually a true DP, for whatever reason, needs someone to load the magazines and handle the paperwork for his next shoot and calls the kid offering him/her a job as his “2nd AC”.

The kid, ecstatically, leaves the camera rental facility, takes a pay cut for this temporary job, marries up with the DP as a 2nd AC and works…when the DP gets jobs.

20 Shoots Later: The kid does the “2nd AC” gig for 2 years and, if he/she doesn’t screw up, moves up the ladder and gets a gig as a “1st AC”…which means he/she now “pulls focus” and is in charge of making sure that every one of the DPs shots are sharp & clear.

20 Shoots Later: The kid does this gig for another 2 years, and if he/she doesn’t f*ck-up on any shots, moves up the ladder and gets the opportunity to actually operate a camera and becomes a “Camera Operator”. That’s the person is behind the camera, face smashed into the eye-piece making sure that all of the DPs shots are framed (aka: composed) properly.

He/she does this gig for another 2 years.

Now, this kid, probably no longer a kid, has been over 6 years on 60 shoots, has loaded cameras, worked with lab paperwork, has pulled focus and has composed shots…

…This is the person, who is still only 28-34 years old, young & energetic, that I want you to hire as your DP.

Director-4  (POINT #3: Repeat Points #1 & #2. Directors like Photo Ops of them next to a camera and pointing)

Only hire someone to be your DP if he/she has been shooting for at least 6 years and been on 60 shoots.

Now you understand…“Hire a DP who is a DP”.

Do not hire a kid fresh out of film school.

Do not hire someone, with a business card, who says they’re a DP.

Do not hire someone simply because he/she owns 2 cameras.

“Hire a DP who is a DP”.

HOW TO FIND A DP

Go to www.AFCI.org (Association of Film Commissioners) website an get the phone number for your local Film Commissioner (They should know them), call and ask for a list of…

  1. Camera Facilities (They should know them)
  2. Big-Budget DPs (they definitely know them)

Now, you, the first-time director, will have a seasoned DP, who is a DP, and knows how to Direct-The-Camera and get good coverage (Master Shot, Medium Shot, Close-up, etc) freeing you to focus on casting, scouting, design and rehearsal.

Good Luck & Happy Filmmaking

Dov S-S Simens

 

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6 comments on “WHO IS THE TRUE DIRECTOR? (Hire a DP Who Is a DP… Huh?)”

  1. Hello says:

    How would you speak with the DP?what do you say?

  2. Marco Varela says:

    I am working on a full feature film, I have a DP with 30 years of experience in Hollywood who wants to join my project, but I don’t yet have a Director and it is my understanding that one must have a Director FIRST and then HE will invite a DP of his choice. At this point, I don’t want to loose this guy, do I really have to wait to find a director? the budget is 7.5 million, I’m still looking for the money, I have the composer, set director and stunt coordinator all with the same level of experience as the DP and they are all willing to work on the project once I’m funded. I think the DP will as well….anyway….can I invite the DP in? or do I need to have a Director first? Thank you in advance for your answer, I really could use some guidance.

    1. Justin says:

      Directors typically have DP’s that they prefer to work with, but they don’t always have the luxury of choosing if the Producer or EP tells them that they’ve already chosen a DP. At that point it’s up to the director to take the money and the project – which they usually will.

  3. Henry Larry says:

    Insightful read on the history and hierarchy within the camera crew. Emphasizing the need to hire a DP with substantial experience the article provides a pragmatic approach for first time directors in navigating the complex world of filmmaking personnel.
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