What are some things to look for/ take into consideration, when choosing a DP?
Choosing a DP
- Thread starter wparrish24
- Start date
1. Do they shoot and light? Do they just shoot? Do they just design the lighting? Find out what exactly they do and do well as a DP.
2. Are they coming with their own equipment, and if so, what do they have?
3. Naturally the cost to hire them (and/or their equipment) is important.
4. Do they have any previous body of work? Features? Is their reel solid.
5. Are they cool, and do you get along with them. Do you see eye-to-eye for the most part?
2. Are they coming with their own equipment, and if so, what do they have?
3. Naturally the cost to hire them (and/or their equipment) is important.
4. Do they have any previous body of work? Features? Is their reel solid.
5. Are they cool, and do you get along with them. Do you see eye-to-eye for the most part?
Yeah, somebody who has a reel that shows their work as an operator AND their ability to light a scene. What equipment do they bring to the table (if you need them to), and what is their rate.
Beyond that, you need to be able to get aliong with them. Not just "ok", but REALLY well. It's maybe the most critical relationship on the entire set. If you are pulling against each other instead of together disaster will follow.
Beyond that, you need to be able to get aliong with them. Not just "ok", but REALLY well. It's maybe the most critical relationship on the entire set. If you are pulling against each other instead of together disaster will follow.
If he's a union DP you'll never be able to afford him. What you need is a union operator, or 1st AC, or Grip looking to move up to a DP credit. The union will give him a waiver (or basically they won't be interested and will leave you alone) as long as it's a "low budget" (under 150K or so) movie. My DP is a union camera operator.