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Who is a Cinematographer?
When shooting in real spaces, the work of a cinematographer begins where location meets production design meets the time of day. No movie light will ever look as real as the sun, so scheduling becomes truly paramount to naturalistic lighting ~ Anonymous
If you have the creative angle of capturing moments or if you watch something and think of doing it in a different way then you can choose to become a cinematographer. A career as a cinematographer is defined as a profession of individuals who handle the art of storytelling through visuals and photography in a motion picture. A career as a cinematographer demands taking care of framing, lighting, camera angle, choice of lens, depth of field, camera motion, and several other things related to camera handling.
With people shifting towards visual mediums of entertainment on all possible platforms the need for a cinematographer has increased and is expected to increase in the coming times. A cinematographer, also known as a Director of Photography can be defined as the chief over the camera and light crews working on a film, or television production for entertainment, news, or sports. or any other kind of live production piece. A cinematographer's career requires taking responsibility for making artistic and technical decisions related to the image. The field is referred to as cinematography.
In this article, we will discuss how to become a cinematographer in India, what are the cinematographer roles and responsibilities, cinematographer skills, cinematographer salary in India, cinematographer salary per month, the average salary of a cinematographer and career in cinematography.
Cinematographer in a Nutshell
You can define Cinematography as an art practiced by the Director Photography is a creative and interpretive process that culminates in the authorship of an original work of art rather than a simple recording of a simple event. It would be wrong to portray it as a subcategory of photography, rather photography is one of the crafts used by the cinematographers in addition to technical skills like organisation, management, interpretation, and image-manipulation techniques. The visual impacts of a film are driven by the creative decisions of a cinematographer. A career as a cinematographer demands to be involved in the entire lifecycle of a film and production.
Quick Facts for Cinematographer
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Industry
Entertainment
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
Anyone with a strong interest in capturing pictures and photography can choose to become a cinematographer. A cinematography career comes with demanding job opportunities that require you to possess artistry, advanced technical knowledge along team management. There are no gender-based restrictions in a career as a cinematographer.
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Any special needs
Yes
A career as a cinematographer expects individuals to work in various real locations ranging from forests to mountains or rivers. Hence, it can be a cumbersome process for physically disabled people to get along with the work. Although, anything can be achieved after all the sky is the limit.
Table of Contents for Cinematographer
What is the role of Cinematographer?
Are you thinking about how hard is it to get into cinematography or what are the cinematographer roles and responsibilities, we have answered here all your queries. A career as a cinematographer involves decision-making aspects such as selecting a camera, film stock, lenses, and filters to depict the scene in accordance with the intentions of the director. Cinematographers work alongside directors to provide films, TV shows, music videos, and television commercials their own unique artistic style.
A cinematographer is responsible for managing the camera and lighting crews, they are also required to supervise the selection and manipulation of technical tools to create phenomenal images on the screen. career in cinematography involves making decisions related to the aspect ratio, digital effects, image contrast, and frame rates. Cinematographers also scrutinise the screenplay, conduct extra research into different styles, and patterns that relate to the subject matter of the script, and collaborate with the director to discuss their creative ideas.
Concept design
The role of a cinematographer is to coordinate all aspects of script and director’s approach to picture in preliminary talks with director, analyse script as a whole, analyse story structure, analyse structures, analyse characters, research period, events, general subject, and appropriate design elements, devise style, visualise styles, continue talks with the director on new ideas, come to an agreement with the director, discuss and come to an agreement with the production designer, discuss and come to an agreement with a technical adviser.
Testing
As a cinematographer, they are required to shoot tests for style, shoot tests for the lab, shoot tests for the lighting of principal actors, shoot tests for camera and lenses, shoot tests for wardrobe and makeup, shoot tests for any special effects processes, unusual rigs props or methods.
Planning
A cinematographer, check and approve all call sheets and shooting order of the day’s work. They watch the rehearsal of the scene to be shot, device shot list with the director, choose the lens and composition, show to the director for approval, make sure of composition and movement, fulfil scene tasks, work mechanical problems with the camera, crane groups, set any camera-movement cues, place stand-ins and rehearse and fine-tunes, ensure proper coverage of scene for the editor, work with an assistant director on background action.
Blocking
As a cinematographer, one is required to watch a rehearsal of the scenes to be shot. They are required to devise a shot list with the director. The roles and responsibilities of a cinematographer also include a selection of lens and composition, making sure composition and movement fulfil scene tasks, working out mechanical problems with the camera, and crane grips.
Photography
The cinematographers are required to shoot photograph scenes, approve or correct take, check parameters and reset for the next take, shoot any plates, shoot any video or playback material, move to the next step.
Types of a Cinematographer
In this section, we have discussed Cinematographer career options or types of a Cinematographer.
Assistant Camera Operators: The roles and responsibilities of an assistant camera operator include providing support for quality control, processing, assembly, playout, and distribution activities for pre-programmed and live content, playing a key role in the technical workflows to support distribution across linear, Video on Demand (VOD), and Over the Top (OTT) delivery, working in both multicast and live sports environments. An Assistant Camera Operator job role is a junior-level role in cinematography careers.
Assistant Editors: As assistant editors, you are required to conceptualise, shoot & edit a variety of patient stories, along with the educational script, that drive the organisation’s objectives, often under strict deadlines, in an ever-changing production landscape, able to juggle various projects, including coordinating pre-production work. It plays a crucial role in the field of cinematography.
Tape Editors: The tape editors are the professionals who are required to execute the live webcast of the court session including operating a high-definition switcher, 4+ cameras (some robotic), on-screen graphics overlay, audio mixing, digital encoding for live and archival streams and ensuring adequate operation of the closed captioning interface.
Television Camera Operators: The Television camera operators are required to assist the editor with preparing video projects. The employee will learn a valuable, fast and efficient system of editing artist profiles and news stories. They will then apply this system to one or more videos that they can edit in-house and use on your reel or portfolio site. Television Camera Operators usually work in television channels and production houses. Read further to learn more about how to become Cinematographer in India and cinematographer salary in India.
Also read: Career as a film director
What is the workplace/work environment of Cinematographer like?
To know more about cinematography careers, how to become a cinematographer, what a cinematographer does and where he or she works, you are required to keep reading the article. This section contains relevant information regarding the work environment, working hours, certain shifts, nature of work, workplace specifics, and much more. Cinematographers are expected to work outside at real locations for most of the time.
Cinematography professionals working for big media productions sometimes work in big film or project sets. They are also required to work under unfavourable weather conditions and late-night shifts are not something new in the industry. Depending on the project and the deadlines, a career as a cinematographer may involve working for months continuously in different sets of locations around the country or world.
Does Cinematographer require travelling?
Likely
A career as a cinematographer involves working across various locations both countrywide and globally. Travelling is an essential part of the cinematographer's work. Depending on the demand of script and production houses, they can be working anywhere around the world. The travelling expenses are covered by the production house they work for, which includes travelling fair, accommodation compensation, food and beverages.
Employment Shifts
Full Time, Part Time
The cinematography career provides a full-time job. The cinematographers are required to make important decisions related to filmmaking and the creative approach to the shooting. Hence, they are required to work on shoot locations and stay there for days, even months, if required. The working hours are not fixed and there is no particular starting and shutting downtime. It all depends on the script and production requirements.
Employment Nature
Contractual
A career as a cinematographer provides both types of employment contractual as well as permanent. The television industry may provide a permanent role for cinematographers, but the film industry usually provides work on a contract basis. Cinematographers are hired for a particular project and are required to work until all the requirements of the project are met. However, there are some production houses that hire cinematographers on a permanent basis to work on several smaller projects rather than a long-stretched film.
Work Place
On-Field, Studio
A cinematographer may shoot at the studio or outside locations. The workplace depends on the requirements of the client, production house, script and employer. For ad shoots, sets are usually prepared where the cinematographer takes shots.
Presence in Geographical Area
Semi-urban, Urban
People are more aware of cinematography careers in urban and semi-urban areas. Mostly production houses and satellite channels are set up in urban areas. So we could conclude that urban areas provide numerous opportunities for cinematography jobs. The Indian film industry in Mumbai is known as Bollywood, while the Tamil film industry in Tamil Nadu is known as Tollywood. Bihar also has its own film industry commonly known as Bhojpuri industry due to its native Bhojpuri dialects.
Time Pressure
Likely
The time pressure for a career as a cinematographer is high. The work environment of cinematographers is not a cakewalk. They are required to work at odd hours putting in much more effort than most of the crew members. A cinematography career involves working under unfavorable weather conditions and late-night shifts are not something new in the industry. Depending on the project and the deadlines, they are sometimes required to work for months continuously in different sets of locations around the country or world. These factors result in an increase in time pressure and stressful working conditions.
Overtime Details
A career as a cinematographer requires one to make important decisions related to filmmaking and the creative approach to the shooting. Hence, they are required to work on shoot locations and stay there for days, even months, if required. The working hours are not fixed and there is no particular starting and shutting downtime.
On a usual basis, the cinematographers are required to work for 12-14 hours per day. The work hours can be extended depending on the requirements of the project. Cinematographers work in outdoor settings for most of the time. Quite often, they are required to work overtime in order to complete a shoot or meet a deadline. Scroll down to read cinematographer skills and cinematographer eligibility.
Weekly Hours of Work
Min 60 Hours
On a usual basis, cinematographers are required to work for 12-14 hours per day. The work hours can be extended depending on the requirements of the project. A career as a cinematographer requires shooting in a real location which can be anywhere across the globe. There are no specific work hours. Sometimes, their work starts at night because of the demand for a script. Hence, the work hours vary from project to project. Quite often, they are required to work overtime in order to complete a shoot or meet a deadline.
How to become a Cinematographer?
Steps to become a Cinematographer
If you are someone who loves watching movies and is amazed by the camera angles, lighting, scenes and everything around the director or set then a career as a Cinematographer is the best option for you. If you are someone who watches movies or scenes in a different way and is keen to learn filmmaking and looking for how to become a Cinematographer in India then you must opt for a career as a Cinematographer. Below we have given the steps for how to become a Cinematographer in India.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Cinematographer?
How to become a Cinematographe in India? What are the skills required in a Cinematography career? How is the work environment for cinematographers? Well, we have all the answers to your questions. You are required to keep reading to feed your curiosity to opt for a career as a cinematographer.
Technical Skills: A career as a cinematographer requires a little knowledge and some technical understanding of every piece of the filmmaking process is crucial, and this includes camera work, lighting, sound, special effects, design, post-production process, and more.
Creativity: Creativity is an essential part of filmmaking and cinematographer career, and it is impossible to make films without creativity. To claim yourself to be a cinematographer, you are required to invest your time in understanding the range of filmmaking specialities. As a cinematographer, you need the creative talent to be able to visualise the production of the film.
Storytelling: As a cinematographer, you are required to understand the story you are trying to portray in order to create a story well throughout every element of the production. You cannot be successful in a career as a cinematographer unless you know how the decisions you make are affecting the story and vice versa.
Problem-Solving Ability: Cinematography is not easy, you will be required to face problems you do not know how to solve, have dilemmas that will complicate your vision, and you might even encounter problems that will require you to make difficult decisions before moving forward. Problems like these will require you to have quick and decisive problem-solving skills to avoid delays in film production and ensure deadlines are met.
Communication Skills: Irrespective of the industry you work in, communication is the key. But when you are a cinematographer working on set with countless other crew and cast members, having good communication skills is essential. Without the ability to communicate effectively, no amount of experience or cinematography expertise can help you bring a vision to life and effectively communicate a story.
Popular Online Arts And Crafts Courses and Certifications
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Cinematographer?
We have provided below certification courses that may help you to develop skills and knowledge that may help you acquire cinematographer jobs and perform efficiently.
Internship Availability
Internships are a great way to learn and develop technical expertise in the industry and have a comprehensive understanding of all the factors responsible for film production. Students can choose from a variety of internships available which require different work and responsibilities for different projects. In the internship, the students can work as an intern assisting the camera production team, motion control operator, assistant director, assistant production controller, camera operator, and camera assistant.
The main goal of internships is to teach the interns about professional work in the industry hence it requires them to be very attentive, observing huge to little details applied in film making. Read further to know cinematographer salary in India or cinematographer salary per month.
Also read: Career as photographer
What is the job outlook for Cinematographer?
Cinematography is one of the most prominent majors offered in the universities that offer the course, hence it is expected to get very competitive in the future. More the experience in the industry, the more imperative it gets to be ahead of the competition. Employment in cinematography is expected to grow as much as up to 10 per cent in the upcoming ten years. This rate of growth ensures that the competition remains fierce in this industry with new talent graduating every year and entering the field. The art of cinematography is not only limited to making fictional movies.
Science and technology are also a wide area where the use of cinematography plays a crucial role. Moreover, documentaries and non-fictional series are becoming popular and there is a huge scope in cinematography career. There are many paths available for candidates to get started with their careers as a cinematographer, the majority of cinematographers start their careers at the bottom and work their way up. For instance, they may start working as an assistant or intern to a more experienced cinematographer or filmmaker. The more time you spend inside the industry, the more knowledge you gain regarding the comprehensive understanding of the key elements of filmmaking. Read further to learn more about how to become a Cinematographer in India.
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Frequently Asked Questions for Cinematographer
Que. What exactly does a cinematographer do?
Ans.A cinematographer is responsible for things like selecting a camera, film stock, lenses and filters to depict the scene in accordance with the intentions of the director. They work alongside directors to provide films, TV shows, music videos, and television commercials with their own unique artistic style. They are responsible for managing the camera and lighting crews, they are also required to supervise the selection and manipulation of technical tools to create phenomenal images on the screen.
Que. What makes a good cinematographer?
Ans.Cinematographers play an important role in the development of a film, which includes the feel and look of television and videos. They lead the lighting and camera crew. While the educational qualification for the role is a different yet necessary step, it is important to have a tight grasp of the skills required to excel as a cinematographer.
Que. What is a cinematographer's salary?
Ans.Depending on the work experience and the responsibilities they handle, their pay scale will gradually increase as new projects come on the way. In India, the initial pay would be somewhere between Rs. 85,000 to Rs. 95,000 per project which increases with the gain in experience up to Rs six lakhs.
Que. What are the two main elements of cinematography?
Ans.Cinematography comprises all on-screen visual elements, including lighting, framing, composition, camera motion, camera angles, film selection, lens choices, depth of field, zoom, focus, color, exposure and filtration.
Que. What are the top cinematography colleges?
Ans.There are various government as well as private institutes which offer filmmaking, direction and cinematography courses. We have mentioned below the top cinematography institutes.
Top Cinematography Institutes
Que. How hard is it to become a cinematographer?
Ans.It takes years of learning the art, studying, practising and building a network. It might be hard but as time passes hard work and dedication will make it easy.
Que. How long does it take to become a cinematographer?
Ans.It might take about 8–10 years to become a Cinematographer as you will be pursuing your bachelor's, master's, specialised certifications and internship or training.
Que. What is the job of cinematographer?
Ans.The job of a Cinematographer is to create visual effects for film or television. The cinematographer roles and responsibilities are to read screenplays and choose the correct lighting and others.
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Did you know?
Fact 1
A standard reel of film that runs at 25 FPS is 1,000 feet long. These 1,000 feet of the film will produce about 11 minutes of footage.
Fact 2
The first moving picture cameras were invented towards the late 1800s, and movies were boring.
Fact 3
Most movie theaters these days use digital video projectors. The technology is called DLP which means Digital Light Processing.
Fact 4
Titanic came out in 1997 when film reels were still the only way to project a movie.
Fact 5
The Australian film The Story of the Kelly Gang was the first feature-length film in history.
