How To Get A Job In Cinematography

As media formats become more popular, it becomes easier to position yourself as a professional photographer or cinematographer. Technology has made it possible for anyone with a creative eye to pursue a career in this field.

Making movies is a complex process that takes lots of different professionals to make sure everything goes smoothly. All those involved must work together effectively so that the film comes out without any major hiccups or glitches.

The person who oversees all these professionals is usually referred to as the director. The director sets the tone and timing for each scene while also ensuring that everyone is working towards a common goal.

He or she makes sure the scenes are filmed properly and correctly and uses their knowledge and experience to help other people be better at what they do.

Aspiring movie directors often start off doing production design. This includes things like choosing which colors will fit in the setting best, picking appropriate furniture, and finding ways to emphasize important parts of the set.

More advanced production designers look into how textures function in giving away information about the area or environment being depicted. They can use this insight to create an immersive feel for the space being portrayed.

For example, if the place is meant to evoke fear then using bright, bold patterns would probably work well. If it’s meant to inspire calmness then soft, natural materials might compliment the picture better.

Make a list of all the cinematography jobs you are not qualified for

There’s no way around it - being able to light-wash a set, handle low-volume production with a crew of two, or even handhold a camera while capturing sweeping shots is totally different from working under large scale lights in an IMAX setting or shooting high budget commercials.

That doesn’t mean you can’t get into the industry, though! In fact, there are many ways to go about it if you aren’t quite ready to take on those challenge but still want to be part of the filmmaking process.

Here are some tips and tricks that will help you gain entry into the field as a gaffer (lighting technician), best boy (second in command who helps run errands and keep track of equipment) or grip (someone who handles cameras).

Find a cinematography job opening that you are qualified for

Finding a position as a professional cameraman or photographer is not easy, especially if you do not have much experience. There are many ways to gain this experience, but most require you to apply directly through an organization or company that has open positions.

Some of the more well-known organizations to look into include ICP (International Cinematographers Guild), IPG (Image Production Group), and PAIGC (Professional Association of International General Cameramen). These three groups all offer membership opportunities for those who are willing to put in some time to become fully enrolled members.

As member, you can view current openings, search through their database of employers, and send off applications using your student ID or pre-paid card.

Contact the company or individual who is advertising the job opening

Even if you are not looking for employment at this time, doing research on companies and individuals will help you build your career later. Companies advertise their jobs online all the time, so checking out their websites, social media accounts, and promotional material is a good way to find out more about them.

Likewise, people get hired for their position every day, so browsing through their profiles, interviews, and other materials can give you some insights into how they communicate, handle themselves, and what they like to do. By incorporating these things into your repertoire, you’ll stand out as someone who does thorough research.

And when it comes to cinematographers, making a connection with the right person or organization may open up new opportunities for you. Many filmmakers begin their careers as interns, working under the guidance of experienced professionals.

So before deciding against applying because you don’t see yourself going back to school, think about whether there’s anything you could offer a studio that you couldn’t get from anyone else. And even if you can’t pull an internship, attending filming sessions and conferences might let you meet someone behind-the-scenes.

Prepare a portfolio of cinematography work you have created

As we mentioned before, having a rich source of film footage is one of the most important things for aspiring cinematographers to develop. If you are not able to create your own filmed artwork, then at least be familiar with what kind of looks other people have produced.

Film schools will sometimes require students to showcase their talent by creating a short segment or reel that includes some form of lighting, setting, action or both. This could be anything from filming a still life to staging an outdoor scene or even breaking into a house!

These reels should either be shot using natural light or artificial light, and should feature several minutes worth of material. Relevant examples include establishing shots, moving through space, and showing off the effects of different lights and camera angles.

Your portfolio should also contain recent works (within the past year) so if someone reviews your work they can see how advanced you are as a filmmaker.

Submit your resume

After you have done all of your filming-related research and made sure your camera is in order, it’s time to start looking for jobs! The best way to find employment as a cinematographer is by submitting your resumé through online job posting sites and social media channels.

There are many sites that offer direct exposure for aspiring filmmakers, so now is the perfect time to begin networking. Many top companies advertise their open positions on these websites, making it easy to apply and be considered.

Some of the more well known sites to look into include FilmFreeway (for employers), CastingCouch (for actors) and Reeliz (for producers). Make sure to follow all proper etiquette and do not spam or oversell yourself!

Also make sure to stay active on Social Media and update your profile pictures and statuses to reflect how you want to be perceived.

Follow up until you get a callback

Now that you have compiled a strong portfolio, it is time to start looking for jobs! While some of these positions will have internal recruitment processes, most major studios will do at least one big event every month where they invite new applicants to apply.

These events are usually announced well in advance so be sure to check your email frequently. If you don’t hear back from them within a few days, drop off the list and move onto the next applicant. This is totally normal and expected!

At this stage, most of the applications will go through an assistant or production manager who will review your materials and either call you in for an interview or ask you to send over a second round application. Make sure to follow all their instructions very carefully as sometimes there will not be a phone call or second interview unless everything matches.

This sounds scary but don’t worry about being too nervous, instead focus on how professional you appear during the interview. Also, be aware of what types of cinematographic equipment different companies use so if asked, you can refer to those products.

Phone call or video conference

Many cinematographers begin their career as assistants, working under experienced professionals who mentor them and show them the ropes. This is a great way to start your career!
As you know, being a cameraman/cinematographer requires years of training and certification, but there are ways to get started.

Most large companies have at least one person in each department that works with others to ensure the film is produced efficienty. In filming, this individual is usually referred to as an assistant director (AD). They oversee all aspects of production, giving direction to other individuals and groups involved in filmmaking.

Their job is making sure everything goes according to plan and they manage these people. For example, the AD makes sure every member of the crew knows his or her role and what needs to be done during shooting days.

They also make sure everyone has enough equipment and supplies for their job. When needed, the AD manages time off and work schedules for anyone else on the team. All of this can be quite difficult at first, so having someone more experienced help you is very important.

At some point, most aspiring cinematographers will need to take a camera operator’s test. This is when they prove they know how to handle many different types of cameras and understand basic fundamentals like shutter speed, f-stops, and recording settings.

Many colleges offer such tests to gain entry level credentials, which can help break into the field.

Make an initial appointment to visit the company or individual

Now, this isn’t saying that you have to work for free, but it is important to establish your credentials before asking to be hired. If you don’t have any professional proof of your talent, then chances are someone at the organization will ask for them!

It’s also worth noting that most cinematographers start out as interns. This gives you a chance to learn the ropes from more experienced professionals and build up your portfolio while you explore different career paths. Many big name filmmakers started their careers as internships too!

So what should you include in your portfolio? Let’s take a look…

Video essays are a great way to showcase your creative storytelling skills. An example of a video essay is Netflix’s The Rise of the Zombies, where they use still pictures, videos and voiceovers to tell the story of zombie apocalypse.

Short films are another good option. A short film can be one minute long (like our rising zombies video) all the way up to five minutes long like many cinematic stories.

A personal project is always an excellent idea. Even if you aren’t quite sure what genre your movie will fit into, creating something original is never a bad thing to show off.

And finally, keep practicing your craft! Cinema is a very production-oriented field, so spending time working on your camera settings, light sources and composition strategies is crucial to advancing your skill level.