• Cinematography

  Cameraman credit

  Posted by Max Frank on October 5, 2011 at 9:06 pm

  Hi,

  I just posted this at the FCP forum, but then thought this would be a better place for it.

  I’m finishing a documentary for PBS, we had a few cameramen over the months of shooting, but one primary cameraman that did most of the work.

  It was primarily interviews, but also some really nice B-Roll stuff on location.

  The question is, what’s the right title?

  Options:
  Cinematography by:
  Director of Photography:
  Videography by:
  Principle Camera by:

  What’s the protocol for TV documentary work?

  Thanks a lot,

  Wayne

  Todd Terry replied 14 years, 7 months ago 3 Members · 2 Replies
• 2 Replies

• 

  Angelo Lorenzo

  October 5, 2011 at 9:53 pm

  You/your producer might want to check with your local union if this was a union gig. I’ve seen variations but it’s usually:

  ‘Camera’ for key operators and ‘Additional Camera’ for day players.

  – Angelo Lorenzo
  – https://FilmsFor.Us Sell your film and connect with your audience
• 

  Todd Terry

  October 5, 2011 at 9:58 pm

  Yes, and in addition to union stipulations, if any…

  …another question would be how much, say, lighting direction the principal person did. If he did a fair bit, or a lot, I’d credit him as Cinematographer. If there was little-to-none, then he is “Camera,” or “Camera Operator.”

  Of course, you might have had a different person altogether that was the director of photography… in that case, that person is the “Cinematographer,” irrespective of whether he actually operated the camera. Then, your cameraman would be “Camera” or “Camera Operator.”

  The other guys would be “Additional Camera,” or even “Second Unit Camera,” depending on exactly how you were working.

  T2

  __________________________________
  Todd Terry
  Creative Director
  Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
  fantasticplastic.com
  

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