08/03/2018
What or who is a successful DOP, lighting cameraman
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Mike Burts
DOP lighting cameraman at MIKE BURTS Cinematography
What is a cameraman, who is a DOP, Cameraman
The other day some young interns at a film school asked me what I define as a DOP cameraman.
My answer was fairly broad and complicated
I used my personal experience 53 years in the Film and TV industry to explain to the interns.
I started at Killarney Film Studios, January 1965. This was one of the few Film Studios in South Africa
The management at Killarney Film studios had a very strict protocol.
They felt that any person, before even touching a camera had to learn how to edit.
Once you could edit, then as a cameraman you would understand how to shoot for editing, in other words you would not do random shots and hope that an editor would save you in the edit suite.
I had to spend a few years in the Film Labs , learning what film was all about, the basic rules of how film worked
I had to learn how to develop , process , grade and the limitations of Black and White Film and Color film
It was only after 5 long years was I allowed to become a clapper loader , focus puller. No short cuts
During this initiation, introduction even being an apprentice I was allowed to take out an Eymo 35 mm . A wind up camera that shot 100 feet of film. This was a very hardy 2nd world war camera that had a turret for three prime Cook lenses.
I was only allowed 1 spool of film.
I had to make a three to four minute insert for a local newsreel called the African Mirror. In other words I had to choose each and every shot very carefully I could not just shoot and hope for the best.
After the years as a trainee editor/ /editor on film after the years in the Film labs After the years of filming on the Eymo 35 MM camera . After the years of being a clapper loader on Commercials and Dramas I was allowed to operate on commercials , documentaries and features.
Eventually I was allowed to light commercials and documentaries
When video camera made an entrance into our industry it was the obvious rout to follow , learning each and every camera as it came out , from the Betacam to the Red.
I had to self-teach myself with the help from editor friends and you tube editing on Adobe Premier.
By learning to edit once again made me a better cameraman as I know what to and how to shoot for an editor.
In my 53 years in the industry, I have shot commercials, documentaries, sport, medical, wildlife, travel, music videos, wars, 2nd and 3rd unit on features , dramas, infomercials, Industrial, mining and the list goes on.
In my mind cameramen must have a passion and a love for the industry. A cameraman must be willing to learn , a cameraman must keep up to date on all of the new lighting techniques, the new cameras as they hit the market .
A good cameraman never oversells himself, by this I mean you have to be honest about your limitations. Never pretend or say you can do something that is out of your expertise or knowledge. You will be caught out
In my case when I had to use the Red Epic Dragon I told the production company that I would need someone on set that knows the Red like an expert. I am always honest.
In my mind a cameraman does this because he has a passion and a love. Yes it is important to earn but the key behind success is the willing to give 120% because you are truly dedicated to your art.
I never watch the clock , I’m willing to work the extra hours to give the client what they need.
I'm willing to go that extra 2 miles on every shoot.
I have no fears , I have filmed snakes , scorpions , spiders , from heights, from helicopters, underground, wars and riots
A good cameraman must also be the type of person when filming in an office, a private house or company you must leave with the knowledge that you will be invited back. You must leave the premises as they were when you first arrive, you must be careful not to damage anything on the property . in other words when you are finished and wrap the location must look exactly the same as when you arrived.
You as camera crew must respect the location and the people that you are working with. You must not take advantage of the generosity of the people letting you shoot on their premises.
When filming in a factory, warehouse or workshop you must obey the rules and regulations, the safety protocols. They the company firm , organization are doing you a favor by allowing you to shoot on their property. Always wear the correct safety gear , listen to the safety officer, obey the safety signs, don't endanger yourself your crew or the people working in the factory, workshop etc.
Mike Burts
