I don’t like to write about negatives without a positive spin. Here’s a list of ways I see film makers doing their show an injustice through poor marketing practices with examples of shows that I think epitomise success in avoiding those pitfalls. Start as you mean to finish – Have you observed what big shows...
So, when I started this series of Tech Talk blog posts, I did so on the basis that there is a dearth of good information on the internet regarding my craft. What I’ve started to discover to my delight is that there’s more information than I first thought. Here’s a few of the resources I’ve...
I’m often asked the purpose of having a dedicated stills photographer on film shoots. You and I both know that I’m more than a little biased, but the question I would ask is: If film makers want to attract an audience why would they not have a stills photographer on their film shoot? My argument...
I have done on set work and it is interesting and varied, it is also long hours and a lot of team work. However I kept getting pestered on one shoot why are you here?
Never got asked that question again after the lead talent got injured and another actress had to redo the role.
All the continuity and costume, effects and a massive pano of the set images were used as reference to reshoot and do cast pickups.
If I had not been there working as hard as I did, the production would have gone downhill.
Suddenly I became the runners and 2nd DOP best mate, even the cameraman became more open. (you need to sometimes match lens for plate shots).
On set photography is important,
Rich
Hi Rich, thanks for your comments. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels strongly about the value of our work.
Hi I came across this blog today.It’s nice to see someone in the business taking the time to write about it. Production Stills seems quite different from other branches of photography in that is all about collaboration, which sometimes doesn’t come naturally to us photographers
Really interesting & informative blog about a branch of photography many people don’t even know exists. Must be cool shooting different things every day!
Also worth mentioning (and the point that ALWAYS comes back to bite inexperienced filmmakers and producers): A distributor WILL NOT BUY YOUR FILM if you don’t have stills. It’s on the list of deliverables, along with the film itself, when a distributor buys a film. There’s no grey area with that point!
This is really useful to read as I have been clueless about going down the path of doing still photography and the value towards it. Thank you for posting your knowledge on here!
Thanks for your feedback! I’m glad you have found the information useful!
