Director of photography

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• working towards this role
• specialist courses run by private training providers

University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma, degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject. Examples include:

• photography
• art
• drama
• film making or film studies

Entry requirements:

• a foundation diploma in art and design
• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You can take a college course to develop your camera skills before looking for work. Relevant courses include:

• Level 2 Diploma In Creative Media Production and Technology
• Level 3 Diploma in Film and Television Production
• Level 3 Diploma in Photography

It may give you an advantage if you can find a course that offers practical experience and possibly a work placement.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and a creative subject

Entry requirements:

Work

You could work your way up from being a:

• runner
• camera operator trainee
• lighting trainee

It's also helpful to have experience of working as an assistant director. You'll need a lot of experience before you can move on to become a director of photography.

You can improve your prospects by developing specialist filming skills like aerial, night-time or underwater photography.

Volunteering

It'll help if you can get paid or unpaid experience with:

• community film productions
• amateur or student film projects
• independent film production companies or camera equipment suppliers

You can search for film and TV companies to approach for experience through media business listing services like PACT and The Knowledge .

OtherRoutes

You may be able to get training through one of the new entrant training schemes that broadcasters and film bodies offer, for example:

• BBC trainee schemes
• Channel 4 training scheme
• ITV Careers
• BFI

You could also take short courses in camera operation run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:

• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• knowledge of media production and communication
• to be flexible and open to change
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• excellent verbal communication skills
• broadcasting and telecommunications knowledge
• leadership skills
• knowledge of English language
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• concentration skills
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace

What you'll do:

Directors of photography (DoPs) manage lighting and camera crews on TV and film productions to create the right look and feel for images.

As part of your role, you will:

• visit a location before filming, known as a 'recce', to check its suitability
• hire filming and lighting equipment
• test equipment before filming
• manage all aspects of filming, sometimes operating a camera
• supervise the camera crew to decide on any special camera moves
• work closely with the lighting team to decide on lighting techniques
• review film footage with the director

Location : You could work on a film set, at a film studio or at a TV studio.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.

Salary:

Starter : £21,000
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

39 - 41 hours irregular

Working Pattern is freelance / self-employed away from home

Career Path:

With experience, you could work on TV and film productions with bigger budgets, or become a director or producer.

Many DoPs work freelance. You could earn a salary significantly higher than average if you work on big budget films.