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Working in the film or video industry can be very appealing for anyone who enjoys movies. Creative people who thrive on starting with a thought or idea and then developing it into a captivating story by means of video might be interested in the fields of cinematography and videography. Although these media fields have some similarities, there are also differences in the two careers. Explore the realms of cinema to see if cinematography and videography are fields you’d enjoy.

movie set gear

Cinematographers

A cinematographer is an educated professional in charge of taking the producer’s and director’s visions of movies and making them happen in the theater. Cinematographers coordinate all aspects of filming to make sure that the shots advance the story. Extensive knowledge of the filmmaking industry and its practices is crucial for a cinematographer to bring a project together.

  • Cinematographers choose and organize the equipment needed for a project. It may be necessary to scout out locations prior to filming to plan the equipment needed.
  • Cinematographers create a shot list to plan the filming. This list is given to the director to plan the work for each day.
  • This job also involves planning the lighting and angles of the shots to tell the story.
girl filming movie

Videographers

Just as a photographer is someone who takes photos, a videographer is a person who shoots video. Videographers usually work on small-scale projects instead of major cinema productions, possibly consisting of just a single person shooting different events. Videographers are often hired to record celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, and retirements. Videographers might also record lectures, seminars, church services, and training presentations. Videography is a popular freelance profession, with many people marketing their recording skills to earn money.

movie camera

Resources

Man filming with big camera