2. Cinematographers (a.k.a. directors of photography) work alongside directors to give films,TV
shows, music videos and television commercials their own unique aesthetic style.
The visual impact of a film is driven by the creative choices a cinematographer makes.These
guys make the big decisions about the use of different lenses, filters, lighting techniques and
camera movements to create dramatic effect and prompt different emotional responses from
the audience. They’re also responsible for making decisions about aspect ratio, digital effects,
image contrast, and frame rates.
3. To be a cinematographer, you will typically need:
a passion for film and photography
knowledge and experience of camera equipment and lighting techniques
creative ability with a camera color
color-normal vision
excellent communication skills
the ability to work with a wide range of people
the ability to lead and motivate others
an eye for detail, and a steady hand
the ability to work well in a team and also independently
good IT skills
4. Their job is to help the director realize what's in his head.
The cinematographer creates a consistent look for the film and
makes images that help tell the story. It's what's in the frame, the
lighting, getting the mood right - getting images that push the
story along and keeps the audience inside, not outside, the film.
5. Most cinematographers have a college degree with a major
in film, or attend a film technical school. Either choice is a
good way of beginning your career. It goes without saying,
that to become a good cinematographer you will need to
watch a lot of movies. Being well versed and having a good
knowledge of music and art will also come in handy, as your
career progresses you will begin to learn just how
interrelated these disciplines are.
One of the most important prerequisites to become a
cinematographer is experience, however you don't need to
go to college or film school to get it though.
6. To do this job you need to have a passion for film and
photography.You also need to be a good communicator. If you are
creative, have leadership skills and want to work in the film or
television industry, then this career could be for you.
A common way into this career is to get experience of camera
work by working your way up from a camera operator role. If you
have a portfolio of photography or a reel of film work that you
have produced yourself, then you could market this to get yourself
known.
7. Websites:
BKSTS -The Moving Image Society - organises events, courses, and new
equipment demos, and publishes: CinemaTechnology, and ImageTechnology;
Shooting People - a forum on filmmaking
Publications:
Screen Daily - online industry news service and weekly publication, Screen
International
Variety - a weekly publication for the film, television, music and interactive
entertainment industries
American Cinematographer
8. Eduardo Serra was born on October 2, 1943
in Lisbon, Portugal. He is known for his work
on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:
Part 2 (2011), Blood Diamond (2006) and
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part
1 (2010).
Awarded the prestigiousOrdem do Infante
D. Henrique, one of Portuguese's highest
honors, by President Jorge Sampaio June
10th 2004.
Member of AFC (Association Française des
directeurs de la photographique Française)
and of ASC (American Society of
Cinematographers).
9. Wally Pfister was born on July 8, 1961 in Chicago,
Illinois, USA as Walter Pfister. He is known for his
work on The Dark Knight (2008), Inception
(2010) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012).
The Batman Begins (2005) video game includes a
character who does not appear in the film named
"Walter Pfister". This character was voiced by the
real-life Pfister.
Member of the American Society of
Cinematographers (ASC) since 2002, and the
British Society of Cinematographers (BSC) since
2011.
Graduated from the AFI Cinematography program
in 1989 where he befriended cinematographers
Janusz Kaminski, Mauro Fiore and Phedon
Papamichael. All four friends apprenticed together
on various low budget Roger Corman films early in
their careers.
