Discussions on Film cinematographer
Suggest Renaming to DP
I've been entering film credits and haven't seen Cinematographer listed in any of them. Director of Photography is what is typically used. I think cinematography may be used from time to time, but most the DP's are part of a union so I assume the Director of Photography title is official.
Well, the oscar always goes to the voted-best cinematographer. DP might be the title used most often today, but originally that role was usually listed as 'cinematographer' in films in the 1910's-to-1960's films.
We can add 'Directory of Photography' as 'Also known as' for the type...but is that always true? Is the cinemaphotographer always = DP?
In the wikipedia article for cinematographer the role of DP is not always equivelent to that of the C. It notes that:
"The English system of camera department hierarchy sometimes firmly separates the duties of the director of photography from that of the camera operator to the point that the DP often has no say whatsoever over more purely operating-based visual elements such as framing. In this case, the DP is often credited as a lighting cameraman. This system means that the director consults the lighting cameraman for lighting and filtration and the operator for framing and lens choices."
I searched all my credit docs issued by the studio I work for and none contain Cinematographer. They all have a Director of Photography though. They also have other lighting roles that support the DP and that's not to mention the whole 2nd Unit crew which includes a 2nd unit DP. 2nd Unit Director seems to get pretty high billing these days.
