What is the role of the DP in contrast to the Director?

Thats a good link. While we're at it, what do the letters at the end of a persons name in the credits stand for, for instance "Walter Murch ACE" (not sure if that's the right acronym)?
 
Most letter designations are for union or guild affiliations. ACE is American Cinema Editors, DGA is Director's Guild of America, SOC is Society of Operating Cameramen, etc.

Casting Directors
C.S.A - Casting Society of America

Cinematographers
A.S.C - American Society of Cinematographers
A.C.S - Australian Cinematographer's Society
B.S.C - British Society of Cinematographers
C.S.C - Canadian Society of Cinematographers

Editors
A.C.E - American Cinema Editors

Sound Technicians
C.A.S - Cinema Audio Society (Sound Mixers)
M.P.S.E - Motion Picture Sound Editors (Sound Editors)


Noah
 
From the American Society of Cinematographers website:

"The ASC is not a labor union or guild, but is an educational, cultural and professional organization. Membership is possible by invitation and is extended only to directors of photography with distinguished credits in the industry."

The letters after the names in the credits are not guild membership, but similar professional organization. If they have the letters they know what they are doing and have proved it.
 
BTW, the definition of Gaffer from the above is correct, but doesn't really explain all that they do. the Gaffer is the DP's right handman, the Key Grip is the left hand. A good Gaffer (and Key Grip) are creative in the use lighting instruments and are worth their weight in gold. In alot of instances a DP (with the Director) will come up with the "What" (how a scene should look, lighting wise) and the Gaffer (and Key Grip) comes up with the "How" (what instruments to use).
 
I love yours "Butch".

I think that The Shining has been very underated for a Kubick film. It freaks me out every time I see it.
 
I love The Shining.

When that little kid does the voice... and the finger thing. Man, that gets me everytime.
 
Funnily enough their magazine is still called Operating Cameraman:

mg_cvr24_ss2005.jpg


Guess the pc changes haven't gone all the way through yet.
 
Good observation, Noah.
Think the mag comes out only twice a year.. But even that cover has the current organization title.
Figure it will be updated in the next edition? Dunno. Maybe when I'm on the board. (chuckles)
 
S.O.C. seems to be a pretty rare credit, you really don't see it that often and you don't see S.M.A. like you did back in the day.
 
I'm hoping to be able to put BMF after my name in the credits someday but they keep telling me no.

Noah
 
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