looks like trouble to me

Steve Laramie

Steve Laramie

Veteran
I am DPing for an HD film (using my equipment). Its a 2 week film festival short. There will be a few days where I cant shoot but we can probably re schedule. The director brough another DP on board to cover for me on the days that I will be out and "work with me". I do not like this idea. I think covering for me is alright but I can see the situation going very sour with having 2 DP's. What would you do?
 
what do you recomend me doing. I am doing this just for film credit and I think it would look like crap if it said DP- 2 different names.
 
well you have to analize the situation you are in, have you seen the other dp's work? is his syle very different from what you want to do in terms of
lighting package, lenses, framing etc.

this could pose a problem

what I would do is talk and meet with the other dp asap to discuss what I mentioned above so that when principal photography rolls, scenes that you shoot and scenes that he shoots dont look very different unless its intended to, which is I highly doubt, let me give u a problem that I have seen when productions do this

lets say that on day 20 we are shooting the "cafe scene"
you are the dp
cafe scene has 60 takes of coverage and all the good stuff
great!!

now a couple a days later the director says "hey we need to re-shoot the cafe scene because I dont like the coverage from take 20 through 40
but now its the other dp's doing the re-shoot
this is a big problem because no two dp's light the same, now if for some reason the re-takes are screwed you are left with nothing but to re-shoot the whole damn scene all over again because the pick up shots look very different

bottom like I would talk to the other dp and take notes and make decisions with the director's approval of course
 
If I were to have a DP substitute for me, I would take advantage of the fact that he could work with me prior to taking over. Style is one thing, but part of a DP's job is to create a predetermined look; if it's one that's already been established, then the job is to maintain it. Every project in my resume is not identical in style because I shot it; every look serves a distinct project.

Come to an understanding with the sub-DP that the project's style has been set around certain parameters. This is just like a second unit shoot, only the director will still be there to guide it as well. If your sub is worth his/her salt, then he should be able to continue your work unintrusively, especially after observing your style on set.
 
my main concern is keeping controll over this second DP and make sure that everyone knows that I am the first guy to talk to about the shot on the days that I am there and even the few days I am not there. I may be much younger then the sub DP but as long as we are using my HVX package and lighting kit I am in charge. Im just not sure how to do this without any hard feelings. fyi this is for project 21 a film festival in Philly where you and your "team" has 21 days to write shoot score and edit a 10 minute short. Because of this I am understanding to them wanting a substitute for the 2 days I wont be available but I am very hesitant to this "working with you" idea.
 
First, I would say, start looking how this situation can work as opposed to how it cant. The situation seems to be what it is. You cant do a few days, its a time limited event, they need someone else. No one is getting paid.

If it is making you terribly unhappy, pull out. Though I suggest, you wont be too popular in doing so.

But, how can it work? Well its collaborative at the outset, and if you want to push for people to talk to you ONLY, then you need to reassess. This comes across as a bit of a power trip. If the director doesnt like your set up in the real world he/she will change it anyway. But does that mean youre going to take YOUR kit and pack up, because they wont play it your way? Maybe this second DP has some experience you can use, maybe not? Why did they choose you as the first?

Can you sort the credits out from the beginning? Cant he just be Assistant DP? Assistant to the DP? What scenes are they shooting those days? Can you make a brief on the set ups for those days?

You need to discuss the options with them maturely, and look for positive outcomes.
 
Can you pick the fill-in DP rather than the Director?

Perhaps a friend you trust, or perhaps this could be a "bone" you could throw the way of an eager camera assistant or gaffer who might want to try cinematography. Take the time ahead of the shoot to do a thorough scout, identifying all possible problems and going over the films aesthetic.

You could be doing a favor for someone and earn their gratitude.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top