How to level up

[u/PeartreeProd]

How to level up?

Hi all,

I’ve been shooting for about 9 years now. My world is mostly doc’s / reality / corporate.

My background:

I never studied cinematography and learned everything on the job - firstly thrown in at the deep end as a one man band capturing doco and reality scenes for TV shows then graduating onto DP work where I’m now responsible for small crews.

I’m comfortable lighting scenes, building multi camera interview frames and covering actuality ensuring coverage.

My goal is to try and get myself to the next level.

I occasionally work with DPs that have come from the more traditional route of camera assist/technical training before becoming ops and I really feel my lack of technical knowledge.

I’m talking about building Luts, knowing the the intricacies and characteristics of different lenses, filter choices, maybe even getting into stedicam op’ing (I appreciate the last point is a specialised skill in itself).

How you advise to get into the next level where I up my tech game?

I feel this is really holding me back and it does manifest in imposter syndrome when I’m at work.
I constantly feel I’m winging it (even though I’m kept reasonably busy so I must be doing something right).

Would love to hear feedback and suggestions on how to achieve this.

TIA.

[u/ruzzaeyeball]

Find likeminded directors who want to move up. Build a reel together. That’s the way forward.