New PA Doing Set Photography

[Guest Tiffany Johns]

Hi. I'm working as a Production Assistant/on a film for the first time. It's a non-union film and I've been doing a little bit of everything, including taking photos on set and behind the scenes because I'm the only photographer (not officially pro yet but taking pro photos) on board. I have three questions.

 

1) Should I charge extra for the images?

2) Should I ask to be given credit for my photos?

3) The gaffer mentioned that there is something called a "set photography tool kit". Where can I find a such a thing? I'm just working with a digital camera and have to stop when the video camera is rolling because of the shutter noise.

[Christopher Santucci]

You can try and charge more, but my guess is they'll say no. Just do it for the experience and maybe if you're lucky they'll give you a still photographer credit and you get paying work eventually shooting stills instead of picking up garbage and makin' copies.

 

You should ask for and receive a "still photographer" credit. It's a credit. It costs them nothing.

 

In regard to a "set photography tool kit", I never heard of such a thing.

 

.

[John Brawley]

In regard to a "set photography tool kit", I never heard of such a thing.

 

.

 

I think he may have been talking about a blimp for the stills camera. This is a sound baffle that means you can take photo's while the camera is rolling and the sound is muffled by the blimp. If you're shooting film lots of photographers have just used the M series Leica's as they have a pretty silent shutter and film advance sound.

 

Good luck....

[Guest Tiffany Johns]

Thanks so much for your responses! I will try to get the credit for still photography and look into getting a blimp or M series Leica to eliminate noise.

[Mike Williamson]

Blimps are fairly specialized items and not cheap. The only ones that I'm aware of are hand-made and cost almost $1000 if I remember correctly. A Leica won't be any cheaper, and I wouldn't assume that it would be quiet enough to use without a blimp.

 

In regards to your initial post, there's a few things that I would think about. First of all, unless there's something you haven't mentioned, you are in no way obligated to let them use the photos that you've been taking. Personally, I think it's absolutely fair to ask for more money to let the production use them. You may have a hard time getting paid, but I think it's reasonable to say that you're not comfortable giving them the pictures unless you get compensated. You should be as nice as you can about it, but be firm and don't let yourself be intimidated.

 

I would also think about what's most important to you: getting paid for the photos, getting a credit, trying to make the best impression with the production, etc. That's up to you to decide, but knowing what you want is the first step in negotiating for it.

[John Brawley]

Thanks so much for your responses! I will try to get the credit for still photography and look into getting a blimp or M series Leica to eliminate noise.

 

 

Both of these options are very expensive and specialised. Ive seen many on set photographers making do without. You don't HAVE to have them, they're just nice options...and you asked !

 

 

jb