Definition of „Cinematographer“?

[Joerg Polzfusz]

Hi!

How do you define „cinematographer“ these days? I know the „official“ definition e.g. on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinematographer

But today, even the ones doing the „post-production“ (editors, colorists, sound f/x persons, …) seem to call themselves „cinematographers“. Is this just a „German“ or „European“ thing (some kind of improper translation)? Or is there a general, worldwide extension of the term onto everyone involved into the production of a film/video/movie?

Jörg

[Brian Drysdale]

I'd be surprised if sound people would call themselves cinematographers, sound designer and variations of that seems to be the current trend in the post production audio department.

You do get the term used in CGI or computer animation, where they use computer generated lighting.

[Karim D. Ghantous]

How the hell can a colorist call themselves a cinematographer? Unless of course they do both, as is the case with many people.

[Robin R Probyn]

Someone with a nice car and many ex wives .. 

[Joerg Polzfusz]

Maybe the colorists think that they are fixing problems in post that have been caused by the DoP and his filters (or lack of filters) - so that they are doing his job?! ? (Just kidding!)

I’d rather think that the term is not clear anymore as many directors in Hollywood have also been their own DoP, editor and colorist - in order to have full artistic control about their film. And - for budget reasons - in many low budget productions, commercials, music videos, documentaries, … the (video) camera operator also is responsible for the light, the sound (recorded by the camera) and the complete post-production (editing, … ). So there are many cases where the “cinematographer” does much more than in his traditional role. Hence, the role doesn’t seem to be clear anymore. Even in Wikipedia’s definition, there’s something like a contradiction between “cinematography” (= producing a movie) and “cinematographer” (= “only” being the “Director of Photography”).

And to make it more confusing: In many German productions, there was/is no “Director of Photography”. Instead, there’s a “main camera operator” and separately/independently a “main lighting operator” who both only report to the director. (So it’s more like the director also being the DoP with the two operators being allowed to propose angles, movements, lights, …)

 

Edited December 26, 2022 by Joerg Polzfusz

[Tyler Purcell]

Any colorist calling themselves a cinematographer is just joking around. Sometimes I feel that way when I've received shit that needs to be heavily manipulated.