Cinematographer

Prashanthi Balamandira Trust; Chikkaballapura; On-site; INR 500,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Prashanthi Balamandira Trust seeks an experienced Cinematographer to translate scripts into high-quality moving images. You will oversee camera placement, lighting design, lenses, and movements, coordinating with the Director and creative teams to achieve the intended tone.

You will plan, light, and capture scenes, collaborate with editors and colorists, and adapt quickly to changing conditions on set to maintain production standards.

Qualifications

• Experience as Cinematographer, Camera Operator, or Director of Photography (3–5 years).
• Strong showreel or portfolio demonstrating lighting and framing.
• Degree or diploma in Filmmaking, Cinematography, or Media Studies.

Responsibilities

• Determine camera angles, shots, and framing per script and directorial vision.
• Operate cinema cameras, gimbals, cranes, and stabilizers on shoots.
• Design and manage lighting setups to set mood and look of scenes.
• Collaborate with editors/colorists to align on color grading workflow.

Skills

Camera mastery

Lighting expertise

Motion techniques

Problem solving

Education

Degree/Diploma in Filmmaking or Cinematography

Job description

The Cinematographer is responsible for capturing the visual style, tone, and framing of our media productions. This role translates scripts and concepts into high-quality moving images by overseeing camera placement, lighting design, lenses, and camera movements. You will work closely with the Director and creative teams to ensure the final product meets high artistic and technical standards.

Core Responsibilities

Visual Planning & Camera Operations:

• Composition & Framing: Determine camera angles, shots, and framing based on script requirements and directorial vision.
• Camera Operation: Operate professional cinema cameras, gimbals, cranes, and stabilizing rigs during live action, commercial, or documentary shoots.
• Technical Setup: Select appropriate lenses, filters, shutter speeds, and camera settings to achieve specific visual textures and depths.

Lighting & Atmosphere Design:

• Lighting Layouts: Design and manage complex lighting setups (three-point lighting, dramatic lighting, ambient matching) to set the mood and look of each scene.
• Equipment Management: Supervise the deployment of modifiers, diffusers, reflectors, and flags to control natural and artificial light sources.

Pre-Production & Collaboration:

• Storyboarding & Recce: Participate in location scouting (recces) to assess natural lighting, power availability, and spatial constraints. Review storyboards with the Director.
• Post-Production Alignment: Collaborate with Video Editors and Colorists to ensure the captured footage (RAW/Log profiles) matches the planned color grading workflow.

Required Knowledge & Skillset

• Camera Mastery: Expert operational knowledge of professional cinema camera ecosystems (e.g., RED, ARRI, Sony FX/Alpha series, Blackmagic).
• Lighting Expertise: Deep understanding of lighting principles, color temperatures (Kelvin scales), and exposure tools (waveforms, zebras, false color).
• Motion Techniques: Proficiency with camera movement tools, including sliders, steadicams, gimbals, and jib arms.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to adapt setups quickly on set when faced with changing weather, space limitations, or scheduling constraints.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of proven experience as a Cinematographer, Camera Operator, or Director of Photography.
• Portfolio: A strong showreel or portfolio demonstrating diverse lighting styles, framing techniques, and high production value.
• Education: Degree/Diploma in Filmmaking, Cinematography, Media Studies, or equivalent hands-on industry experience.
• Physical Fitness: Ability to lift, carry, and operate heavy camera rigs and equipment for extended periods on set.