A cinematographer (also known as a vidoegrapher or camera man or woman) operates a video camera and is responsible for the motion photography in movies. Cinematographers work in both film and digital media. This is a highly specialized and competitive field, so before you pack up your bags and head out to Los Angeles, it may be a good idea to look through this guide on how to become a cinematographer.

Cinematography is a field that can take a while to break into on a professional level. While you can always make your own movies with the hope of getting your work seen in film festivals, it may be a long while before you are ever offered cash to man the camera for a movie or television show. This is one industry where you must be prepared to pay your dues, but if you can succeed you will be greatly rewarded.

If you want to make it in the movie industry, you must absolutely love what you do and want to succeed more than anything else in your life. The field of cinematography is so competitive that those who are not really hungry for it will fall by the wayside.

In addition, hours are long and production schedules can be grueling. Your days will usually range from 12-16 hours, and you may only get one or two breaks. You may be outdoors all night in the dead of December, or melting in the noonday sun in August with no shelter over your head. Still want to do it? If you have the drive, cinematography can be the greatest thing you will ever experience.

No matter how great you think your camera skills are, you will need to learn skills and techniques from the pros. This means, at the very least, attending some filmmaking classes. If you have the cash (or the financial aid) and the drive, it may be a good idea to attend a film school.

Of course, lengthy education is not always necessary. Another way to learn is by working as a cinematographer's aide, or as a production assistant (known on the lot as a PA). You will make very little money doing this, if any at all, but you will learn the art of movie making and gain valuable contacts. The work will be hard and the hours long, but if that bothers you then you have no business pursuing a career as a cinematographer in the first place!

Once you have honed your cinematography chops, it is time to make your own demo reel. This will include your best clips from student films or personal projects, all edited together on a 3-5 minute DVD. This will be your calling card, and the way you will show your stuff to prospective employers. Don't make one until your skills are at a professional level--it is better to say that you don't have a reel completed yet than to show people subpar work.

• Check out How to Volunteer and consider joining and or volunteering with a film company, independent film or video maker or association not only to check out cinematography but all the job functions in making a film to make sure that you know what it is and whether you want to do it as a fun hobby or possible career.

• Check out related information about related fields to find your best fit and all possible related opportunities. See Related Mahalo Pages for more ideas, here are a few to start with eg. writing or composing or performing text or music for broadcast: How to Write a Television Pilot, How to Proofread a Screenplay, How to Become a Professional Musician, How to Play Bass Guitar Videos, How to Succeed in a Band, How to Freestyle Rap, How to Become a Comedy Writer, How to Dance the Viennese Waltz, How to Breakdance, How to Publish a Short Story Videos, How to Become a Playwright, Worship Leader etc.

• Check out similar job functions and positions in other similar fields and consider volunteering, attending events, workshops to check those out. EG. live theatre needs lighting, sound, set design, stage managers, directors, actors, prop managers, prompters, rehearsers, sound effect creators and technicians etc.to also create a performance except this is live and it repeats. Also television studios require technical staff that you can view in action when you obtain free public passes for filming or take studio tours.

• Consider all the new media and computer generated or assisted fields for career opportunities. EG. from one person podcasting or Internet televisoin filming, writing, broadcasting to film animation in a studio using special animation software, to writing, testing, producing, testing video games using video game authoring software, to authoring multi-media products such as cd-roms, to special effects work supporting film and television using specialized software, etc. Also consider assistant, trainee, technician, apprentice and even volunteer positions for a hobby, fun, as career preparation, or as a destination for a career in that industry EG. gaffers, key grips, camera operators are also careers.

• Find professional and/or amateur associations related to the field you are checking out and research it, visit them, correspond, talk to people, read their literature & websites & forums, participate in projects, attend meetings/workshops/conferences open to public or certain member categories, see job ads for qualifications and experience needed, read their free information on how to get started in that career, volunteer for the organization, get insider info on the profession, interview people on how they got started and education needed or other routes for starting out, gather their recommendations and career advice etc.. For help do Internet searches, ask your local librarian, ask questions in Mahalo Answers to get started.

• Check out educational and training opportunities locally, online, by correspondence and check their accreditation, check with the professional association about which qualifications are recommended and also from job ads, ask about whether the program is recognized or you can get partial or full credit at any other educational program you may want to take etc. checking it out thoroughly also check out funding, scholarships, coop programs paid and unpaid, student jobs, tuition and expense costs, etc. thoroughly far in advance so you can be early on all applications giving you a better chance/