If you already know that, as far as mainstream cinema is concerned, "DP" stands for Director of Photography and not a popular pornographic configuation, BAFTA’s brief documentary about the role of a cinematographer probably won’t give you much information you already didn’t know. However, if you’ve always wondered what exactly a cinematographer does, the the documentary, featuring testimonials from renowned DPs such as Sean Bobbit ("12 Years a Slave"), Barry Ackroyd ("Captain Phillips") and Anthony Dod Mantle ("Rush"), manages to condense a lot of information regarding this vital profession in one compact clip.
Part of BAFTA’s In Focus series on YouTube showcasing many different aspects of filmmaking via testimonials from professionals celebrated within their fields, the video shows the cinematographers discussing the meaning and importance of their profession. They also give important tips on how to pursue this career while also de-romanticizing it by confessing some of its harsh realities. You can view the rest of the In Focus series here. Check out the 8 minute video below.