ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

9 years, 7 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Sounds like 'camera trainee' might be the most suitable starting place. Generally unpaid/expenses but you're with the camera department, you'll lug and carry and be in position to ask the right questions. It's a department you work up in, trainee learns how to be a clapper loader, clapper loader learns to pull focus, puller learns to operate, operator learns the trade of cinematography. A loader on a medium film might DoP on a few shorts at the same time, etc. People shuffle up or find a role they enjoy and stick with.

9 years, 7 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Sounds like 'camera trainee' might be the most suitable starting place. Generally unpaid/expenses but you're with the camera department, you'll lug and carry and be in position to ask the right questions. It's a department you work up in, trainee learns how to be a clapper loader, clapper loader learns to pull focus, puller learns to operate, operator learns the trade of cinematography. A loader on a medium film might DoP on a few shorts at the same time, etc. People shuffle up or find a role they enjoy and stick with.

9 years, 7 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

If you want broader experience, start as a runner, you'll get to see more departments and what they get upto. You might find you're actually more interested in production or art department for instance, and never realise otherwise. Production department is the nerve centre, you see everything going on right across a movie!

9 years, 7 months ago - Jane Sanger

Hi, I think you mean well, but please just in my opinion loose that sentence with "I give honest critique when asked for and I have good taste." That is in your opinion and no -one can say they have good taste because others may not think so. Also the next sentence makes you sound a bit superior. I am just saying because as an older woman in this business there are tons of young guys maybe like you who think they know it all and have a unique vision and try to boss me about. If that is so, make your own films but no-one wants someone on set who think about "images differently from my peers" save that for when you are a cinematographer with a few awards. I steer clear of people who sound like they are not going to follow my vision. This may be an unfair view of your request, but just how you have come across.
What is positive about what you have written is that you sound enthusiastic and driven. If you want to be a cinematographer, I suggest you write to twenty or so cinematographers who you admire, don't aim too high, perhaps BAFTA short winners maybe a start and ask to be 1st or 2nd A/C and get them to train you. It won't pay much at first but you will learn lots.

9 years, 7 months ago - ADRIAN SCOTT

Hi Brenden, do you have a stills camera and are you good at photography? We have a two day shoot incoming in Leyton East London (17th 18th Feb) and require help to shoot stills of behind the scenes. If you do and you're good then we would welcome you onto our set. Let me know asap my friend. kind regards and keep it Mellow9

9 years, 7 months ago - Mark Wiggins

Maybe try and get some experience working in the kit room of a hire house such as Panavision, Arri, VMI or Feral. Then, you would learn about the kit we use and meet lots of camera crews as they come in to test. That way you will make lots of contacts and perhaps get taken on as a Camera Trainee on a Production.

9 years, 7 months ago - Paul Campion

Getting on set as an on-set stills photographer sounds like a good place for you to start, given your experience. You'd then be in a very privileged position to be able to observe and learn how a film set works, and especially how the DoP and his or her crew works.

9 years, 7 months ago - hin kong

hi there iam director just about to shoot my 10 min short contemporary comedy location in london i need are gaffer and cinema photography to collaboration would you be interested to help please feel free to contact me thanks

9 years, 6 months ago - Brenden Freedman

This past week I have been fortunate enough to get about 35 hours working on sets as a camera trainee/assistant. Thank you to everyone offering solid advice; it has been much appreciated. Looking forward to a hopefully more busy week.

9 years, 4 months ago - Brenden Freedman

So, after a couple months of working random jobs as a runner, gaffer, grip, focus puller I decided to try making my own film. Shootingpeople has been a great resource for me getting started, so I thought I'd share with you guys.

Bluebird was made completely by myself, and it is my first attempt at film-making; I also convinced a close friend to try acting for the first time.

https://vimeo.com/165173741

9 years, 4 months ago - Lourenco Fernandes

Hi, you can join our short film