Dear Sean:

We just finished a shoot with a director and a DP that worked so closely, I couldn't tell who was coming up with the ideas. With all the reels I see, labeled "Director," "Director/DP" and "Cinematographer," I'm confused - especially after this last shoot. What exactly is the role of the DP?

Art Director (name withheld by request)

Dear Art Director:

The AICP (Association of Independent Commercial Producers) job classification and definitions has this to describe a Director of Photography (DP):

"The Director of Photography surveys the location and/or sets, and then interprets all of this information into technical terms, deciding what equipment and manpower will be needed to achieve the desired results. The Director of Photography will communicate his/her needs to the production staff, and advise the Assistant Director as to the time he/she will need to set up each shoot, so the Assistant Director can plan the shooting in an efficient way. On the shoot, the Director of Photography supervises the camera and lighting crew and, in many cases, physically operates the camera. Note: In the commercial field, many Directors are also Directors of Photography and also camera operators, i.e. they light and operate, as well as direct."

But let's hear the perspective of a great, young LA-based DP I know and work with, Kevin McKnight.

"Beginning with shadow figures cast onto the walls of caves, man has been fascinated with the moving image. In his fascination, man has ascribed mystical and/or magical attributes to those who produce these images. Cinematographers are not mystical magicians; rather they are one of many types of craftsmen involved in an interdependent process. The addition of the cinematographers' unique vision, technical knowledge, and experience are their contribution to the filmmaking process."

"Understanding the cinematographer's process in crafting what is considered his art is key to enabling him to bring all that he can to a production. First and foremost, the cinematographer is the technical assistant of the director - creator of the cinematic vision. It is the cinematographer's job to assist the director in telling a photographic story or illustrating an idea photographically. The cinematographer collaborates with the director to form a visual motif: they work out the visual story, pacing, movements, color pallettes, implied moods through lighting, frame compositions, and the emotional impact of all these choices. It is of utmost importance that, during the pre-production stage, the ideas are articulated with great care, for it will be from this point that the cinematographer plans his strategy."

"With the basic blueprint of the desired look and feel he is to capture, the cinematographer begins his technical assault. He tasks out the job, factoring in the physical, economic and time constraints. The cinematographer, along with his key crew players discuss what, how and when things are to happen. Long before cameras roll, this plan becomes the playbook of the photographic team. Change and spontaneity are also conditions in the creative process and must be factored in to the plan. However, should they become the driving force of a shoot, valuable time can be wasted by indecision and discussions, and this ultimately impacts the equation of time vs. shots."

"The term 'Director of Photography' is an appropriate title for the cinematographer because that is just what he does: he directs an interrelated group of processes to produce a photographic image. He's part taskmaster, part craftsman and part technician. It is from all these parts and processes that a visual art form arises, itself a part in the audio-visual experience."

Thanks Kevin. I hope that explanation is helpful, Art Director.

Sean

http://www.seantracey.com

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