View occupational profile

Search the OaSIS

Directors of photography

OaSIS code 51120.07

Directors of photography coordinate and direct the photography of motion pictures.

Overview

Also known as

  • Cinematographer
  • Director of photography

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Coordinate and direct the photography of motion pictures, supervise camera operators and other crews and determine lighting, lenses, camera angles, backgrounds and other elements to achieve desired visual effect.

Additional information

  • Membership in a related guild or union may be required.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Managers - publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts (50011)
  • Photographers (53110)
  • Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators (53111)
  • Film and video camera operators (52110)
  • Graphic arts technicians (52111)
  • Broadcast technicians (52112)
  • Audio and video recording technicians (52113)
  • Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts (52119)
  • Announcers and other broadcasters (52114)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

TEER

1 – Occupations usually require a university degree

Major group

51 – Professional occupations in art and culture

Sub-major group

511 – Professional occupations in art and culture

Minor group

5112 – Creative and performing artists

Unit group

51120 – Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

Occupational profile

51120.07 – Directors of photography

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Team Building
5 - Highest Level
Thinking Creatively
5 - Highest Level
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
4 - High Level
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
4 - High Level
Judging Quality
4 - High Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
4 - High amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
3 - More than 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
4 - Close (at arm’s length)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
3 - About half the time
Standing
Duration
3 - About half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
1 - Very little time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
4 - Highly important
Frequency
5 - Every day, almost continuously

Workplaces/employers

  • Advertising companies
  • Broadcast departments
  • Self-employed
  • Television stations

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Colour Perception
5 - Highest Level
Fluency of Ideas
5 - Highest Level
Far Vision
4 - High Level
Multitasking
4 - High Level
Speech Clarity
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Coordinating
4 - High Level
Decision Making
4 - High Level
Management of Personnel Resources
4 - High Level
Monitoring
4 - High Level
Negotiating
4 - High Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Attention to Detail
5 - Extremely important
Collaboration
5 - Extremely important
Creativity
5 - Extremely important
Leadership
5 - Extremely important
Stress Tolerance
5 - Extremely important