Cinematography
Summary
Cinematography is the delicate art and skillful craft of creating motion pictures, translating the narrative from a script into captivating visual sequences. The cinematographer plays a pivotal role in realizing the filmmaker’s vision, evoking emotions such as happiness, sadness, laughter, and fear. The synergy of camera, lighting, and editing gives rise to exceptional effects, forming the very essence of cinematography.
Roles & Responsibilities
#1
Study the script and create suitable lighting for each scene, adapting to the mood required.
#2
Adjust camera angles to capture the essence of each scene, ensuring diverse perspectives as needed.
#3
Collaborate consistently with the lighting and camera teams, maintaining effective communication.
#4
Capture multiple angles for each scene, providing options for post-production flexibility.
#5
Organize camera supplies based on the director’s specifications, such as obtaining drone cameras for aerial shots.
#6
Evaluate each shot against the director’s vision, re-shooting if necessary to align with creative expectations.
#7
Post-production, collaborate with the editing team to enhance lighting and mood, ensuring alignment with the director’s vision.
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Career Opportunities in Cinematography
| Area & Opportunities |
|---|
| Camera Production Assistant |
| Motion Control Operator |
| Camera Operator |
| First Camera Assistant |
| Second Camera Assistant |
How to Pursue a Career in Cinematography
| Path | Graduation | After Graduation | After Post Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pass class XII in any stream | Bachelor’s degree in Cinematography or related | – |
| 2 | Pass Class XII in Any Stream | Bachelor’s degree in Cinematography or related | Diploma in Cinematography or related |
| 3 | Pass class XII in any stream | Bachelor’s degree in Cinematography or related | Master’s degree in Cinematography or related |
| 4 | Pass class XII in any stream |
Pass class XII in any stream Bachelor’s degree in Cinematography or related |
Master’s degree, Ph.D. in Cinematography or related |
Leading Institutes
Top Cinematography Institutes in India
| College | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Film and Television Institute of India | Pune |
https://www.ftii.ac.in/ |
| Whistling Woods International Film School, India | Mumbai |
|
| Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute | Kolkata |
http://srfti.ac.in/ |
| L.V Prasad Film & TV Academy | Chennai |
|
| CRAFT | New Delhi |
https://www.craftfilmschool.com/ |
| The ICE Institute | Mumbai |
|
| K R Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science & arts | Kerala |
https://www.krnnivsa.com/ |
| Kalapurnam Institute Ahmedabad India | Ahmedabad |
|
| Shiv Nadar University | Delhi |
https://snu.edu.in/ |
| SGT University | Delhi |
https://sgtuniversity.ac.in/ |
Top Cinematography Institutes in the World
| College | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|
| American Film Institute (AFI) | United States |
|
| CalArts School of Film and Video | United States |
https://filmvideo.calarts.edu/ |
| Los Angeles Film School | United States |
https://www.lafilm.edu/ |
| Kanbar Institute of Film & Television, NYU | United States |
https://tisch.nyu.edu/kanbar-institute |
| USC School of Cinematic Arts | United States |
https://cinema.usc.edu/ |
| Columbia University?s School of the Arts | United States |
https://arts.columbia.edu/ |
| New York Film Academy | United States |
|
| UCLA?s School of Theater, Film and Television | United States |
|
| London Film School | United Kingdom |
https://lfs.org.uk/ |
| National Film and Television School (NFTS) | United Kingdom |
https://nfts.co.uk/ |
Entrances for Cinematography
Undergraduate
| College | Tentative Date | Important Elements | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Some colleges in the USA require a SAT / ACT score | SAT – August, October, November, December 2022, March, May, June 2023 ACT – Feb 2023 (with dates coming out regularly) | i) SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math) ii) ACT (English, Reading, Math and Science) |
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat |
| Whistling Woods – General Aptitude Test, Creative Aptitude Test | December | Based on the course |
|
| The ICE institute, Written/Online Test | – | Based on the course |
|
| K R Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science & arts | June | General Aptitude Test (MCQ), Specific Area Aptitude Test (Descriptive) |
https://www.krnnivsa.com/ |
Postgraduate
| College | Tentative Date | Important Elements | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required by some graduate schools: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) | Throughout the year | Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Quantitative Reasoning & Verbal Reasoning |
https://www.ets.org/gre |
| Joint Entrance Test (JET)- Film | Nov-Dec | General Aptitude Test (MCQ), Specific Area Aptitude Test (Descriptive) |
https://www.ftii.ac.in/ |
| Online Entrance Examination, L.V Prasad Film & TV Academy | – | Based on the course |
|
Work Description
Artistic perspective and a distinctive vision are crucial characteristics of a cinematographer’s work. The workplace varies from studio settings to outdoor locations, requiring collaboration with lighting and camera teams. Instructions to actors, constant feedback from the director, and meticulous attention to detail define the cinematographer’s daily routine.
Workplace Environment
The nature of your work life varies based on your role, workplace, and the scale of the job. Whether working for a large event company, freelancing, or involved in destination weddings, expect a dynamic and sometimes round-the-clock schedule.
Skills Required
-
Eye for Detail: Visualize and meticulously plan every shot, ensuring accuracy in portraying scenes. -
Technical Skills: Proficiency in camera knowledge, still photography, and lighting techniques. -
Problem-Solving Skills: Make informed decisions to overcome challenges and ensure smooth shooting. -
Communication Skills: Diplomatically communicate with teams, effectively conveying scene requirements.
Career Growth Prospects
-
Junior Level: Start as a Second Assistant Cameraman, assisting in finding the right camera for shots. -
Intermediate Level: Transition to Cameraman, handling increased responsibilities and collaborating closely with cinematographers. -
Advanced Level: Become a Cinematographer, embodying the director’s vision and gaining more projects and assignments.
Salary Projection
-
Starting Salary (Second Assistant Cameraman): Rs 5,000 – 15,000 per month. -
Starting Salary (Cinematographer): Rs. 84,000 – 96,000 per year. -
Experienced Cinematographer: Around Rs 480,000 – 600,000 per year.
Pros & Cons of a Career in Wedding Planning
Pros
-
Possibility of working in a creative environment with other creatives. -
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. -
Opportunity to meet new people, discover new places, and experience new things.
Cons
-
Long work hours in a physically demanding environment.