Director of Photography

• The director of photography, also known as the cinematographer or the DOP for most members of the production team, is the head of the camera department in any film or video production. This type of work requires expertise in production lighting and camera handling, as the primary job of the DOP is to make a unique visual identity or look for the project. A DOP's responsibilities include the creation of a specific lighting design, color scheme and camera shots and movements for the production, which should be approved by the director in terms of the creative requirements and the producer in terms of the logistic resources available for the project.
  
  

Camera Operator

• The camera operator knows about the operation of various types of cameras in order to maximize what any particular camera can do to best capture a scene required by a film or video project. This job requires the ability to work on different motion-picture and digital video cameras and utilize their features according to what the production needs. Working closely with the DOP, a camera operator applies the technical aspects of lenses, filters and camera settings in order to achieve the best visual look and effects the director asks for. The job also requires testing, cleaning and maintaining the camera equipment to maintain its best condition.
  
  

Technical Director

• The technical director, or TD, works closely with the director to monitor all the technical aspects of a production's incoming film and video sources. The TD is responsible for assuring that gain levels, sync timing and available storage space in the camera are set according to the project's shooting needs. A TD handles the troubleshooting of any technical concern about the camera and other equipment relating to its function. In TV and news productions, with multi-camera set-ups and switchers, the TD is also the one who pushes the button to determine which camera goes live or gets recorded at any given time during the show.
  
  

Focus Puller

• The focus puller, also referred to as the first assistant cameraman, first AC or simply AC, is a crucial job for professional motion picture and TV productions that use medium- to high-end cameras. As such cameras require more complicated operations, the AC makes sure that every shot is in focus. The "pulling focus" task means that the moving of the camera's lens on different angles and distances require specific adjustments on the lens' focus function. And so, the AC must be able to capture a clear shot regardless of where the main subject or actor moves or in what direction the main action in the scene goes throughout the duration of each shot.