Director Of Photography in Nollywood, Job Description, Career Prospects

The movie industry in Nigeria popularly called Nollywood has a lot of career prospects anyone can focus on. There are several roles in the industry which you can pick up as career option. Among such roles is the Director Of Photography (DOP). This is a lucrative job which is also very exciting and well sought-after.
Who is a DOP?
The Director of Photography (DOP) or DP is a creative member of the production team whose role is crucial to the success of a movie. He or she is responsible for ordering and testing camera and lighting equipment, supervising a camera and lighting crew and editing a film’s visual elements in post production, among other duties. This is in fact, the liver wire of production. A good DOP assists the director and other production crew members in bringing out their best. It is important that the DOP should work alongside a Film Director and help determine narrative elements through visual style. So what are the exact responsibilities of a DOP?

Director of Photography Responsibilities:
Here are the responsibilities of a DOP which you should study and work towards acquiring.
Developing a film’s visual style.
Determining lighting requirements on set.
Deciding on the best camera angles and frames for scenes.
Ordering and testing lighting and camera equipment.
Supervising a camera crew and directing camera movement.
Selecting the appropriate film stock.
Determining camera aperture settings.
Controlling natural or artificial lighting conditions.
Liaising with electricians to ensure adequate electrical supply.
Determining elements such as filters, shutter angles, focus, depth of field and camera distance.
Editing visual elements in post production.
Director of Photography Requirements:
Degree in Film, Art or Photography advantageous.
A reel of visual work.
Creative visual thinking.
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Exceptional interpersonal skills.
Attention to detail.
Good organizational skills.
Good technical camera operating skills.
If you want to pursue a career in the Nollywood or any other film industry this is a good niche for you. Study this article on the role of DOP and acquire the relevant skills. You’ll definitely succeed.