Short Film Director of Photography (DOP)

There are so many roles, creative and non-creative, in the process of short filmmaking. Everyone from the director to the runner has an important contribution to make towards the short film being complete, and a success as well.

The Director of Photography (DOP) is responsible for how the short film ‘feels’ – he or she controls the lighting, the angles and the mood of each shot. Usually the DOP works very closely with the director, but he or she also plays an incredibly important role in the creative process.  Some DOPs, like Sven Nykvist who famously worked with Ingmar Bergman on some of his finest films, have achieved international fame in their own right for their skill – and many directors will only work with DOPs they know and trust can help bring out their vision.

Are you curious of becoming a DOP? There are several ways in.  You can give camera work a try, and be next to a DOP by being a camera operator (maybe not so creative, but gives you a good glimpse of the DOP role). By working on a few different short films you will get to work with different DOPs and learn something from each one. You can also take courses in camera work, lighting and technology – DOPs have to know and master everything from photography to development in order to be successful. So see what is available locally, and dive in. If you do take a course, inquire where you study on how you can get an internship – practical experience (camera operator or not) can be invaluable to how you move forward.

Good luck!