A question of title..

[PerroneFord]

Ok,

So a question. If you were brought in on a micro-budget film as a "Cinematographer", but did not have responsibility for lensing, or camera movements, how would you credit yourself in the film? Assume there was no electrical dept, or grip department so you performed those tasks.

 

[Luis Caffesse]

I suppose you would be Grip & Electric.
Were you camera operating?

 

[maranfilms]

janitor. lol

 

[Zak Forsman]

gaffer/key grip?

 

[PerroneFord]

I suppose you would be Grip & Electric.
Were you camera operating?

Nope, didn't operate. Framing was left to the operator, camera moves were prescribed by the director.

 

[PerroneFord]

gaffer/key grip?

That's what I was thinking.

I was offered the title of Cinematographer, but frankly, I'd rather not take the screen credit when I didn't do the job.

 

[Luis Caffesse]

That's what I was thinking.

I was offered the title of Cinematographer, but frankly, I'd rather not take the screen credit when I didn't do the job.

Agreed.
I'd go with gaffer/key grip.

Unless the movie looks amazing - then go with cinematographer


(kidding)

 

[emretufekci]

How about the title: "Jean-Luc Baptiste, AFC. Cinematographer Extraordinaire!"

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=219869

 

[Erik Olson]

Gaffer.

 

[Paul Hudson]

All Knowing Master Gaffer.

 

[Davdo]

Old British system would credit you as "lighting cameraman."

 

[Noel Evans]

Best boy grip

 

[PerroneFord]

Best boy grip

So you wouldn't take credit at all for setting lights and exposure?

 

[pveal]

cinegripgaffographer

 

[pveal]

not funny at all, sorry.

 

[KKeller]

Were you doing the lighting design as well, because when I do that I request the credit of lighting designer and there be no gaffer listed. This, I hope, will imply that I was also the gaffer.

 

[PerroneFord]

Were you doing the lighting design as well, because when I do that I request the credit of lighting designer and there be no gaffer listed. This, I hope, will imply that I was also the gaffer.

Yes I did... Interesting credit idea.

 

[TimurCivan]

Old British system would credit you as "lighting cameraman."

this is EXACTLY what you would be.

though know on a UNION gig, the DP cant touch the camera. the AC's ad Operators do that. he makes descisions with the Directo about movements, but hes still "DP".

Cinematographer sort of means a DP who also operates.

the DP is the Department head, and doesnt necessarily have to operate camera. I personally have never been on a show where i had an operator dedicated, but sometimes i ask my 1st to do it if i need to be somewhere else....

 

[drcheese]

I find I'm in this situation a lot recently with this director I work with on indie productions. To exaggerate just a little, he might not be able to tell a key light from a fill light and wouldn't know a single or a double or what to do with them, but he owns a red and likes to operate it. So I generally design the look with lighting (including gels, effects, etc), execute it on the day (including directing gaffer/grips), and suggest adjustments to the camera shots (He only has one zoom lens and doesn't do much movement though).

He's a great guy, we do fun work, and even though I don't usually hit record we've agreed I take the DP credit. Personally I kind of prefer not operating on complex shots, it allows me to just watch the monitor and make sure everything is doing what it should.