Working in TV

I have just come back from working on my first tv pilot, and I have to say - tv has its own set of challenges that feature films just don't encounter the same way.

My job on any film as the set still photographer (or unit photographer) is to take still photos of the production for their marketing/publicity campaigns. Though there are a million possible uses for my images, if you first just think about pictures for the dvd covers, the posters, the web site and magazine articles you will get an idea of the kind of work that I produce.

It is crucial that I do not impede the production process. I don't get in anyone's way, I don't distract the actors (in fact invisible ninja-type skills are often required) and I don't make any noise. Typically you will find me hiding somewhere beside the camera crew or in an off-to-the-side spot with the boom operator (a sound guy).

One of the main challenges of this tv pilot was that there was always two cameras filming at all times - so there was twice the number of people to keep out of the way of. AND at least one of the cameras was a steady-cam, and often the second camera was hand-held. Both of these cameras will be moving throughout the shot, so rather than hiding beside them, I had to follow them as they walked. In film production it's never just a guy with a camera walking either - it's the camera operator, the 1st assistant camera, and a cable wrangler... and me. It is not the easiest thing in the world to walk with a camera over your face around and behind a camera crew with cables trailing behind them through a film set, but I have to say - I LOVED it. I am all for working in tv more. Though a lot of the credit for those feelings really goes to the incredibly professional and wonderfully helpful/understanding crew that I got the pleasure of working with. I continue to fall in-love with this job and this industry the more I work with its seasoned crew members. And I want to thank all of them for their kindness as I ventured into the world of tv for the first time.