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Director of Photography

Leads the visual look on UK film/TV: lighting collaboration, lenses, camera movement, exposure and image workflow with the Director.

Duties

• Read the call sheet and sides before arriving
• Maintain radio/set etiquette and H&S
• Hand over notes/kit status at wrap
• Design look with director
• Lead camera, lighting and grips
• Choose lenses/formats
• Oversee DIT/dailies quality

Reports to

Director; Producer/Line Producer on deal

Works with

Gaffer, Key Grip, Camera Operator, 1st AC, DIT, Production Designer, Costume/HMU, 1st AD

Career path

Camera Operator / Lighting → DoP

Day to day

Recce and prep looks with Director/PD/Gaffer; choose package and LUTs with DIT; run the floor visually; shape coverage with Operator/1st AC; protect continuity of look into dailies and grade.

Call times

Camera call is frequently earlier than general unit for build and prep. Focus/loader/trainees often pre-call. Check camera call, lunch and estimated wrap on the sheet; split days and nights are common on features.

What to wear

Matte blacks on set; quiet soft soles preferred; weather layers for UK exteriors; personal harness/support kit for Steadicam ops as needed.

Tools & kit

Light meter, viewfinder apps, personal monitor (often kit hire), lens charts.

Tips

Confirm title, agreement, budget band, prep/wrap and kit fee on the deal memo before accepting. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk ratecards / your branch.

Software

• ShotDeck / Shot Gallery
• Adobe Premiere / DaVinci for tests
• Silverstack / Hedge (DIT side)
• ChatGPT for shot-list drafts (verify creatively)
• QTAKE / video village tools
• ShotPut Pro / Hedge / Silverstack (DIT workflows)
• Pomfort Livegrade / LUT tools
• Frame.io / PIX for dailies as issued

Related roles

1st AC (Focus Puller), Gaffer, DIT

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