News

Tuesday 5th, March, 2013

Filming and video in cinematic styles, Meet Ireland’s answer to Hitchcock.

To begin with and this may seem obvious but can you tell me what is a cinematographer for those of us not too clued up on this feature of the film industry?

"A cinematographer is a photographer working with the moving image. A person who takes moving pictures. It is a wide term and can be said to cover other terms which are often used such as Director of Photography or Lighting Cameraman."

What is the relationship between the director and the cinematographer? Do you get much say in what direction you think a film should go? In fact do you get any input at all?

"All partnerships work in different ways but essentially there are three people at the centre of shooting a film, the Director is the boss but deals with the actors and their performance, the Production Designer deals with everything else in front of the camera and the Director of Photography (cinematographer) deals with photographing all of this, including the lighting, framing, choice of lenses, type of camera movement, choice of film stock and lab processing on film, choice of camera and overseeing grading in the new media."

 I understand you lecturer in cinematography to National Film School, IADT. What advice would you give to anyone interested in a career in Cinematography?

"Keep shooting and keep everything you shoot so as to build up your portfolio for college or for work."

 What is the most challenging project you have ever worked on?

"Action unit Dop for Jackie Chan on “The Medallion”.

What is the best piece of professional advice you have ever received?" 
"Keep smiling"