A Cinematographer is responsible for capturing a piece of media (usually movies, TV shows or advertisements) according to the wishes of a Director. A cinematographer is therefore an artist who uses his camera to paint with scenes.
Personal Competencies
• You have a creative bent of mind
• You have a unique perception of the world
• You like to have clear instructions to follow
• You pay attention to minute details
Entry Pathway
1. Complete 10 + 2 in any stream
2. Complete Bachelor's degree (B. Sc./B.A.) in Mass Media/Film Studies or Film Making, followed by Master's in Mass Communication or Film Studies OR
Complete Bachelor's degree in any subject of your choice while simultaneously receiving training in photography and videography
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment
Where will you study?
This course is offered by the Department of Media and film studies.
This list of institutes is indicative only.
GOVERNMENT INSTITUTES
1. Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, Maharashtra
2. Satyajit Ray film and Television Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal
3. Kolkata Film and Television Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal
4. Biju Patnaik film and Television Institute, Cuttack, Odisha
5. Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute, Changsari, Assam
6. Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal
7. University of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
8. Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra
PRIVATE INSTITUTES
(Please check if Institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC and AICTE before applying)
1. Whistling Woods International, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2. Asian Academy of Film and Television, New Delhi
3. Ajeenkya DY Patil University, Pune, Maharashtra
4. Techno India University, Kolkata, West Bengal
5. CMR University, Bangaluru
6. Jain University, Bangaluru
7. Singhania University, Jhunjhunu, Raiasthan
8. Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal
DISTANCE LEARNING INSTITUTE
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Fees
The approx. course fee ranges between INR 44,000 -24,00,000*
*These figures are estimated numbers and will vary from Institute to Institute.
Scholarships & Loans
SCHOLARSHIPS
• National Scholarship Portal - Visit http://www.scholarships.gov.in. Under this portal there are Central Government schemes offered by different departments, UGC/AICTE Schemes and State Schemes*
• Visit http://www.buddy4study.com for details on available scholarships. This is a gateway to scholarships starting from Class XI
• Scholarships are also available in the institutes themselves based on merit.
*(Availability of these scholarships can vary from time to time)
LOANS
• VidyaLakshmi, http://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in, is a portal for students seeking education loan. This portal has been developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), Ministry of Education, Government of India and Indian Banks Association (IBA). Students can view, track the education loan applications on the website.
• Some states have student credit cards with low interest rates, for instance, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, etc.
• All banks give education loans.
Where will you work?
Places of Work: You can find employment in Media and Entertainment conglomerates, Production houses and Film making agencies/organizations/studios.
Work Environment: You have to work both outdoors or indoors depending on the location of the shoot. Work hours will be in shifts.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field
Expected Growth Path
Assistant Cinematographer → Cinematographer → Assistant Director → Director
Expected Income
The approx. salary of a Cinematographer ranges between INR 8,420 - 83,334* per month.
Source: bit.ly/3QG5VsT
*These figures are taken from NCS and are indicative and subject to change.
Experts from the field
Savita Singh graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) with a degree in Cinematography and has hence been director of photography in several renowned Bollywood films such as Hawaizaada, Ventilator and so on. She ascribes her sense for cinematography to the voracious reading habits of her childhood and the imaginative faculties the same inculcated within her. Savita is one of the founding members of IWCC and has just completed her first film as a Director- DOP titled 'SONSI'.*
CINEMATOGRAPHER
NCS Code: 3521.0100 | AMM017• You have a creative bent of mind
• You have a unique perception of the world
• You like to have clear instructions to follow
• You pay attention to minute details
1. Complete 10 + 2 in any stream
2. Complete Bachelor's degree (B. Sc./B.A.) in Mass Media/Film Studies or Film Making, followed by Master's in Mass Communication or Film Studies
OR
Complete Bachelor's degree in any subject of your choice while simultaneously receiving training in photography and videography
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment
This course is offered by the Department of Media and film studies.
This list of institutes is indicative only.
GOVERNMENT INSTITUTES
1. Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, Maharashtra
2. Satyajit Ray film and Television Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal
3. Kolkata Film and Television Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal
4. Biju Patnaik film and Television Institute, Cuttack, Odisha
5. Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute, Changsari, Assam
6. Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal
7. University of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
8. Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra
PRIVATE INSTITUTES
(Please check if Institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC and AICTE before applying)
1. Whistling Woods International, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2. Asian Academy of Film and Television, New Delhi
3. Ajeenkya DY Patil University, Pune, Maharashtra
4. Techno India University, Kolkata, West Bengal
5. CMR University, Bangaluru
6. Jain University, Bangaluru
7. Singhania University, Jhunjhunu, Raiasthan
8. Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal
Information on Institute rankings is available at - https://www.nirfindia.org/Ranking/2023/Ranking.html
DISTANCE LEARNING INSTITUTE
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
The approx. course fee ranges between INR 44,000 -24,00,000*
*These figures are estimated numbers and will vary from Institute to Institute.
SCHOLARSHIPS
• National Scholarship Portal - Visit http://www.scholarships.gov.in. Under this portal there are Central Government schemes offered by different departments, UGC/AICTE Schemes and State Schemes*
• Visit http://www.buddy4study.com for details on available scholarships. This is a gateway to scholarships starting from Class XI
• Scholarships are also available in the institutes themselves based on merit.
*(Availability of these scholarships can vary from time to time)
LOANS
• VidyaLakshmi, http://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in, is a portal for students seeking education loan. This portal has been developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), Ministry of Education, Government of India and Indian Banks Association (IBA). Students can view, track the education loan applications on the website.
• Some states have student credit cards with low interest rates, for instance, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, etc.
• All banks give education loans.
Places of Work: You can find employment in Media and Entertainment conglomerates, Production houses and Film making agencies/organizations/studios.
Work Environment: You have to work both outdoors or indoors depending on the location of the shoot. Work hours will be in shifts.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field
Assistant Cinematographer → Cinematographer → Assistant Director → Director
The approx. salary of a Cinematographer ranges between INR 8,420 - 83,334* per month.
Source: bit.ly/3QG5VsT
*These figures are taken from NCS and are indicative and subject to change.
Experts from the field
Savita Singh graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) with a degree in Cinematography and has hence been director of photography in several renowned Bollywood films such as Hawaizaada, Ventilator and so on. She ascribes her sense for cinematography to the voracious reading habits of her childhood and the imaginative faculties the same inculcated within her. Savita is one of the founding members of IWCC and has just completed her first film as a Director- DOP titled 'SONSI'.*
Source: https://iwcc.in/member/savita-singh/
*The above information is for training purposes only and will not be used for any commercial gains
cinematography, screenplay, film-maker