Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for shoot
- Participate in preproduction meetings with relevant production personnel to establish overall production requirements for shoot
- Analyse scripts or screenplays to determine required artistic and visual outcomes
- Research issues relevant to production needs and propose creative and technically feasible solutions and ideas
- Develop or refine existing camera plans according to production requirements
- Negotiate amendments to camera plans and circulate final camera specifications to relevant production personnel
- Prepare lists of required equipment, accessories and supplies, and arrange for acquisition in line with available budgets and timelines
- Block shots for use during rehearsals and shoot in collaboration with production personnel, taking into account impact on overall production requirements
- Brief production personnel on equipment, accessories and other production requirements for shoot
- Follow work health and safety (WHS) requirements as they apply to the preparation and implementation of shoot
- Manage set up for shoot
- Manage selection and set-up of equipment and accessories to meet planned shots, ensuring safety of relevant production personnel and other participants
- Confirm cameras are matched correctly and lighting is appropriate for intended shots and scenes
- View proposed shots and set-ups through viewfinder or on monitors and make creative and technical adjustments as required
- Participate in rehearsals, noting required changes and instruct camera and lighting crews accordingly
- Mark up and establish shots and lighting requirements to reflect artistic and style needs of shoot
- Maintain ongoing supervision and collaboration with relevant production personnel to maximise creative outcomes
- Direct shoot content
- Direct camera and lighting crews to achieve required cinematographic outcomes
- Monitor output of camera operations to ensure cuts and dissolves between shots produce required technical and creative outcomes
- Operate camera as required while maintaining overview of creative and technical criteria
- Check camera movements do not obstruct the work of production personnel and talent
- Communicate any variations to predetermined plans to production personnel
- Attend daily viewings of rushes to assess quality and relevance of recorded material and schedule reshoots where necessary
- Wrap up shoot
- Supervise dismantling, packing and storing of equipment and accessories and complete necessary documentation
- Check locations are left in original or improved state
- Participate in post-production editing activities and provide additional materials as required
- Participate in debriefings and reflect on own performance and that of production crews, noting areas for future improvement