DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY + EDITOR — FEATURE FILM
Independent Feature Film | Los Angeles Area
Compensation: $10,000 Flat Project Rate
We are seeking a talented, collaborative Director of Photography (DP) + Editor to join an independent feature film from pre-production through final edit.
This position is ideal for a filmmaker who wants the opportunity to shoot a full-length feature film, build a strong feature credit, take creative ownership of the visual storytelling, and work alongside a director and developing film crew.
We are a nonprofit organization with a strong mentorship component, and providing emerging filmmakers with real-world, hands-on production experience is an important part of our mission. We are looking for a DP/Editor who understands that mentorship is an important part of this production and is comfortable helping develop the next generation of filmmakers while maintaining professional standards.
COMPENSATION
$10,000 total flat rate for the project.
This rate covers the DP's work on the feature film, including reasonable pre-production/camera preparation, rehearsals and test shoots, principal photography, and editing.
The production cannot exceed the $10,000 total compensation budget for this position.
If the DP/editor chooses to use their own camera package or equipment, they are welcome to do so; however, there is no additional camera rental, kit fee, equipment fee, or other compensation available beyond the agreed $10,000 project rate unless specifically approved in writing in advance.
Production also has access to its own Blackmagic camera package through the nonprofit, as well as additional production equipment.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY RESPONSIBILITIES
The DP will work closely with the Director to establish and execute the visual language of the film, including:
- Collaborating with the Director on the visual approach, shot design, lighting, camera movement, and coverage.
- Preparing the camera workflow before production.
- Operating or supervising operation of the primary camera package.
- Helping determine the most efficient equipment and shooting approach for the production.
- Maintaining consistent image quality throughout principal photography.
- Helping establish proper exposure, focus, framing, color settings, media management, and camera settings.
- Working efficiently within the realities of an independent feature-film production.
- Communicating clearly with the Director and production team.
REHEARSALS + TEST SHOOTS
Rehearsals and test shoots with actors will be required before principal photography.
These sessions will allow the Director, DP, actors, and interns to develop the visual and technical workflow before the actual shoot.
Rehearsals/test shoots may be used to:
- Test lighting, lenses, framing, camera movement, and coverage.
- Work through blocking and movement with actors.
- Test action, fight choreography, or technically complicated scenes.
- Establish camera settings and workflows.
- Allow interns to practice operating and assisting with the nonprofit's Blackmagic camera package.
- Identify which interns are ready to take on additional camera-department responsibilities.
- Resolve technical or creative issues before principal photography.
- Develop an efficient working relationship between the Director, DP, actors, and crew.
EDITING RESPONSIBILITIES
The DP will also serve as an Editor for the feature film and help establish an efficient post-production pipeline.
The Director has editing experience and can assist with a rough cut in Adobe Premiere Pro, so the Editor will not necessarily be starting from zero.
Responsibilities may include:
- Establishing the editing and media-management workflow.
- Organizing and preparing footage for post-production.
- Working from and improving the Director's rough cuts where applicable.
- Editing scenes and sequences.
- Refining pacing, performances, continuity, and storytelling.
- Collaborating with the Director through revisions.
- Preparing the picture for final post-production and delivery.
- Helping establish a workflow that allows the Director and interns to participate effectively in post.
INTERNS + CAMERA DEPARTMENT SUPPORT
The DP/Editor will not be expected to do everything alone.
Production will provide interns/assistants who can work under the DP and Editor throughout production and post-production.
Because we are a nonprofit organization, mentorship is an important part of this production. Our goal is to give interns meaningful, supervised experience on a professional feature-film set while also providing the DP/Editor with additional crew support.
We specifically want someone who is comfortable leading and teaching a developing crew.
The interns will have access to the company's Blackmagic camera package and other company-owned production equipment for training, rehearsals, test shoots, and production responsibilities.
If the DP chooses to bring their own camera package or personal equipment, interns would not automatically be expected or permitted to handle that equipment. They can train and work with the nonprofit's Blackmagic package instead.
During rehearsals and test shoots, the DP will have the opportunity to observe the interns' abilities. If an intern demonstrates that they are capable, responsible, and technically proficient, the DP may choose to allow that intern to assist with or handle the DP's personal equipment only if the DP feels comfortable doing so.
The DP should be willing to:
- Train interns on basic camera department procedures.
- Show the Director and interns how to properly set up and operate the production's Blackmagic camera package.
- Explain camera settings, lenses, media, batteries, monitoring, exposure, and basic troubleshooting.
- Use rehearsals and test shoots as opportunities to train and evaluate interns.
- Delegate appropriate camera and post-production responsibilities to interns.
- Help establish repeatable systems so the Director can continue training interns after the production.
- Teach rather than unnecessarily gatekeep technical knowledge.
The goal is to create a professional production environment while also giving emerging filmmakers meaningful hands-on experience.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for someone who is:
- Experienced in cinematography and editing.
- Comfortable shooting a feature-length narrative project.
- Proficient with professional or cinema camera systems.
- Experienced with Blackmagic cameras or willing to become familiar with the nonprofit's Blackmagic camera package.
- Experienced with Adobe Premiere Pro or a compatible professional post-production workflow.
- Organized with footage, media, backups, and post-production pipelines.
- Collaborative and comfortable working closely with a Director.
- Patient and willing to teach.
- Comfortable supervising interns and developing crew members.
- Supportive of the nonprofit's mentorship mission.
- Willing to participate in rehearsals and test shoots before principal photography.
- Resourceful and capable of working within an independent-film budget.
- Interested in helping build a strong film rather than constantly adding unexpected equipment or production charges.
Experience shooting action, fight choreography, movement, or complex blocking is a plus.
EQUIPMENT
The nonprofit has its own Blackmagic camera package and additional production equipment that can be used for the film and for training interns.
Applicants who own their own preferred camera package are welcome to propose using it. However, the production's total budget for the DP + Editor position remains capped at $10,000.
The nonprofit's Blackmagic camera package also gives interns equipment they can learn and work on without requiring them to handle the DP's personal equipment. Interns will only work with a DP's personal camera or equipment if the DP chooses to permit it after observing their abilities during rehearsals and test shoots.
Applicants should disclose before accepting the position if they believe additional rentals or equipment would be absolutely necessary to accomplish the agreed creative approach.
CREATIVE COLLABORATION
The Director has hands-on production and editing experience and wants a DP/Editor who views the relationship as collaborative.
We are specifically looking for someone who can help the Director strengthen the technical side of the production and post-production pipeline while respecting the Director's creative vision.
This is also a mentorship-oriented nonprofit production. Part of our mission is giving emerging filmmakers and interns legitimate experience working on a feature film. We want the interns to leave the production with greater technical knowledge, practical experience, and confidence working with professional filmmaking equipment and workflows.
TO APPLY
Please provide:
- Cinematography reel
- Editing reel or narrative editing samples
- Feature-film or narrative experience
- Camera systems you are experienced with, including any Blackmagic experience
- Editing software/workflow experience
- Whether you own a camera package you would propose using
- Experience shooting rehearsals, action, movement, or fight choreography, if applicable
- Availability for rehearsals, test shoots, principal photography, and post-production
- Brief description of your experience supervising or teaching assistants/interns
- Your approach to working in a mentorship-focused production environment
Compensation: $10,000 flat project rate, inclusive of DP and editing services.
Pay: $3,200.00 per month
Work Location: In person
