Can DoP's use "Alan Smithee"?
- Thread starter Denwa
- Start date
Ryan Patrick O'Hara
Veteran
I have felt this way about only one project in my short career. Removing your name is a drastic move and I think only worth it during the mid-high part of your career. To early, doing it serves no purpose because no one knows you and chances are the project is only going down the crapper. Doing it at the height of your fame and desirability, will be futile because everyone will know you shot it anyhow.
Probably when you are approaching commercial success and have a couple small hits under the belt you should consider it. Protect your name right as it is becoming known. Ya know?
Chances are the less waves you create the faster it will be forgotten.
I've never requested my name off a project, but long ago I would sign onto absolute low budget stuff, which would often have me with absolutely no control over lighting, crappy locations, and etc. If I ever feel like I went from cinematographer to glorified cameraman (operator who chooses lenses and frames shots, but no lighting control besides deciding to have them stand with their backs to the sun and a reflector for fill...) I ask that my CREDIT be changed... not my name.
For instance if DP does not reflect the actual job performed, ask for Cameraman. Ask for 'Photographed by' (an old but ambiguous term to modern crowds), Sometimes I'll insist on Cinematographer over DP if I didn't have a crew, IE operating, pulling focus, and setting lights myself. There are lots of combos. Sometimes it will seem alot less offensive to ask for a smaller credit that you feel more accurately reflects your participation then asking for your name to be removed.
Probably when you are approaching commercial success and have a couple small hits under the belt you should consider it. Protect your name right as it is becoming known. Ya know?
Chances are the less waves you create the faster it will be forgotten.
I've never requested my name off a project, but long ago I would sign onto absolute low budget stuff, which would often have me with absolutely no control over lighting, crappy locations, and etc. If I ever feel like I went from cinematographer to glorified cameraman (operator who chooses lenses and frames shots, but no lighting control besides deciding to have them stand with their backs to the sun and a reflector for fill...) I ask that my CREDIT be changed... not my name.
For instance if DP does not reflect the actual job performed, ask for Cameraman. Ask for 'Photographed by' (an old but ambiguous term to modern crowds), Sometimes I'll insist on Cinematographer over DP if I didn't have a crew, IE operating, pulling focus, and setting lights myself. There are lots of combos. Sometimes it will seem alot less offensive to ask for a smaller credit that you feel more accurately reflects your participation then asking for your name to be removed.
Last edited:
Finnegan
Well-known member
I haven't considered being credited as something different for a project where I was the cinematographer, butI have done it for projects where I've served in other departments. For instance, a couple months ago a friend of mine asked me if I could be the script supervisor on a project he was working on. He said it was pretty big, and that it had Ron Jeremy in it. I asked him if it was a porn, and he said no. Turns out it was a porn. I worked for one day and got paid for that day, then quit because I hadn't signed to work on a porn, and the director/producers were fine with that and they even asked me if I wanted to be credited with a bogus name. So I choose my name on the spot: Boomer Mendes.
Ahh.. but now we all know who boomer mendes is!
Hmm.. yeah.. Credit change. That might work. Or maybe he could add "Horrible Color Correction by" credit for his own name.
Not sure what to do about the "I only had 5 minutes to light a location I had never been to" credit.
or Maybe I'll just use Boomer Mendes.
visugeek
Well-known member
As far as the credit change, unless the project is really embarassing, it shouldn't hurt you in the long run.
Can you tactfully get a copy of the uncolorcorrected footage for your reel? If you can, I would. Unless it's a very high profile project, the majority of people won't see the footage and connect you to it until you give them your reel.
In the traditional film and lab situation, the DP is in charge of the image from it's creation, to the answer print. The producer may write the check, but the lab works for the DP. On larger films, this relationship has carried over into the DI process. DPs work with colorists to make sure that the vision they had on set is what ends up in front of the audience.
It's tougher on indie projects to keep this control and communication, due to erratic schedules, after hours access to free or low cost DI equipment, etc, but remember, you are the Cinematographer!
You were hired for your eye to create these images and bring the directors vision to the screen. You have the right to collaborate with the director and to Direct the Photography through the entire process, and you should clarify that on day one on all of your projects. Directors will respect, understand, and appreciate that.
My $.02.
Or use Boomer Mendes, your call. : )
Can you tactfully get a copy of the uncolorcorrected footage for your reel? If you can, I would. Unless it's a very high profile project, the majority of people won't see the footage and connect you to it until you give them your reel.
In the traditional film and lab situation, the DP is in charge of the image from it's creation, to the answer print. The producer may write the check, but the lab works for the DP. On larger films, this relationship has carried over into the DI process. DPs work with colorists to make sure that the vision they had on set is what ends up in front of the audience.
It's tougher on indie projects to keep this control and communication, due to erratic schedules, after hours access to free or low cost DI equipment, etc, but remember, you are the Cinematographer!
You were hired for your eye to create these images and bring the directors vision to the screen. You have the right to collaborate with the director and to Direct the Photography through the entire process, and you should clarify that on day one on all of your projects. Directors will respect, understand, and appreciate that.
My $.02.
Or use Boomer Mendes, your call. : )
