Cinematography : Getting the most out of your DOP and camera team – Top five tips by Gregory Mandry

As a DOP you wouldn’t believe some of what I get asked to do (and for that matter some of the little details that didn’t quite get passed on), but as a producer/ director what I thought you should know is five of my top tips for getting the best results out of your DOP. 1 – You are going to need some budget. Lights, camera, equipment and grip all cost money, and unless the look is not important to you, making do is just not going to give you good results. 2 – Give your DOP some examples of what you are after, links are an easy way of doing this and most DOPs, even ones that you think are specialists in specific looks, will be able to replicate looks. Even if you think you are getting most of you “Look” in post, it’s still worth discussing it with your DOP. 3 – Share information with your DOP if you have a script and shot list guess what, the DOP will probably want to see these. 3 – Recces are a great way of including the DOP in your vision and for the DOP to look at the practicalities of what is possible. If the DOP can’t go on the Recce take lots of stills in every direction. Remember the DOP will not just be interested in the direction you want to film in, but will want to see the how much space there will be to work in behind the camera, where sockets are, light fittings and windows. Will the shot you are planning be possible on a 12ft jib? 4 – Ask the DOP about setup times. Something you think will just be a simple shot may be more involved than you think, even a simple close up is likely to involve a lens change and light being moved. 5 – Listen to what advice the DOP can offer. Chances are they have done something similar before and can probably offer several options that may get you the results you are after. Big Yellow Feet have been making award winning video production for over 12 years.