All film productions regardless of their budget need the help of a cinematographer. These are the individuals who will ultimately translate your creative vision onto the big screen. On low-budget or independent films, the cinematographer often pulls double duty as the camera operator. If your film is a large-scale production, then you'll be able to hire camera operators who work under the discerning eye of an experienced cinematographer.

Camera Operators

Many cinematographers actually operate their own cameras. Many more do not, and prefer working with cameramen who are skilled in the mechanical function of the camera and understand the expectations of the director and cinematographer. In large productions where the budget permits and the action demands multiple shots, any number of cameras and camera operators may be enlisted.

The assistant camera operator is primarily responsible for helping the operator set up the camera, maintaining proper lens focus, and changing lenses for various effects. The clapper or loader is often referred to as the second assistant camera operator. This individual loads film into the camera, operates the clapper slate for each film take, and keeps records of the scenes and shots. The still photographer maintains a photographic record of significant production scenes that are often used for publicity purposes.

High-Tech Technicians

Another luxury that a bigger budget can accommodate is the use of digital cameras and specialized imagery technicians. These technicians work with the cinematographer to create and manipulate all sorts of fantastic high-end images that early filmmakers could never have dreamed of. Both the big and small screens have benefited from digital technology, which is constantly evolving and becoming capable of ever more sophisticated feats.

Productions involving digital imagery, however, will require a skilled technical staff, including a digital image technician or DIT, who works with either the director of photography or the cinematographer. The DIT's expertise with the digital camera includes image manipulation, continuity, color correction, and quality control. Often a digital editor is also needed to further digital enhancement by electronically editing digital images.