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How to Make Money as a Cinematographer is an on-demand course from No Film School, the world’s most popular filmmaking website.

Learn the BUSINESS of cinematography. Get more CLIENTS. Maximize PROFITS from your gear. Get paid higher RATES... and QUIT your day job.

Know exactly what your peers are charging and raise your rates

There’s never been a place you could go to find out what other video freelancers are charging to do your job, in your region... until now.

Using No Film School’s unrivaled worldwide reach, we surveyed DPs, videographers, editors, operators, ACs, gaffers, G&Es, colorists, VFX workers, and still shooters all around the world... and the results are in.

This EXCLUSIVE module will help you know exactly what to charge — and will help you negotiate with clients. You won't find this information anywhere else. Gain full access when you enroll today!

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Any one of the thousands of tips inside can easily pay for the whole course
75 Insightful Chapters

Professor/DP Charles Haine shares the lessons he’s learned from over 20 years in the film industry, giving you a step-by-step guide to level up your cinematography career — regardless of your current skill level.

8+ Hours Of Video Training

Learn how to market yourself, secure better clients, create new revenue streams, optimize your workflow, raise your rates, lower your tax bill, master lenses and lighting, and so much more...

50+ Exclusive Resources

Checklists, gear lists, directories, tutorials, examples, templates, guides, calculators, references, diagrams, worksheets, and exclusive survey results give you a competitive edge to fast-track your career.

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Don't pay for your camera... Make your camera pay you.

Here are just a few of the questions HOW TO MAKE MONEY AS A CINEMATOGRAPHER will answer...

  • What gear should I invest in?
  • How can I save money on my gear?
  • How much can I rent out my gear for?
  • How can I improve my lighting?
  • How can I streamline my workflow?
  • How much money do cinematographers make?
  • How do I land my first client?
  • How do I get bigger and better clients?
  • How can I market myself more effectively?
  • How can I build multiple revenue streams?
  • What's a good day rate in my region for my job?
  • How can I increase my day rate?
  • How do I shoot in ways that will make me stand out from the crowd?
  • How do I work my way up the crew ladder?
  • How do I run a set as the director of photography?
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  • 75 On-Demand Chapters
  • 8+ Hours Of Video Training
  • Exclusive Global Day Rates Survey Results
  • 50+ Resources (checklists, gear lists, directories, tutorials, examples, templates, guides, calculators, references, diagrams, worksheets + more)
  • Lifetime Access To Everything
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    You can pay $100,000 to go to film school, and they won’t teach you all of this.

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    COURSE CONTENTS

    Section 1: Introduction

    This section opens the course with a word from No Film School's Founder & CEO, Ryan Koo, and introduction to your instructor, Charles Haine, and an overview of your career as a cinematographer.

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    Welcome from NFS Founder Ryan Koo
    Opening remarks from No Film School’s founder, Ryan Koo.

    Meet Your Instructor Charles Haine
    Charles Haine welcomes you to the course and provides an overview of the contents, features, and resources that are available to you.

    Your Career As A Cinematographer
    Explore the philosophical aspects of being a cinematographer, the lifestyle, and other important considerations for success in the film industry.

    Section 2: Getting Your Start

    Learn the essential steps for kickstarting your cinematography career. From freelancing and landing your first paid gig to identifying market trends and exploring various niche areas, you'll discover proven strategies for establishing yourself as a cinematographer.

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    Getting Your Start Intro
    A high-level overview of the Getting Your Start section of the course.

    Introduction to Freelancing
    Discover both the advantages and challenges of freelancing, including the flexibility and creative freedom that it can offer.

    Landing Your First Paid Gig
    Learn how to identify the right opportunities, demonstrate your readiness, and secure your first paid gig.

    Cinematography Career Tracks
    An overview of the various growth paths you can choose from as you pursue your career as a cinematographer.

    Cashflow Jobs vs Ambition Jobs
    A discussion on the difference between cashflow and ambition jobs, with tips for achieving the balance you desire.

    Identifying Market Trends
    Learn how to identify and keep up with changing market trends to remain competitive in an ever-evolving industry.

    Videography & Events
    Tips for breaking into the cinematography world and building traction via experience with videography and events.

    Weddings
    Learn the essentials for kickstarting your career in wedding videography - from client communication to equipment, attire, and more.

    Adult Content
    Learn about the historical connection between shooting adult content and whether it’s a viable path for transitioning to mainstream filmmaking.

    Stock Footage
    Gain an understanding of the potential benefits and considerations of working with stock footage, including its diverse applications.

    Getting Your Start Takeaways
    Closing remarks on the Getting Your Start section of the course.

    Section 3: Growing Your Career

    Learn how to build a strong professional reputation, market yourself effectively, and leverage social media and press coverage to expand your network and attract higher-profile clients. We'll also cover strategies for establishing multiple revenue streams, so you're never strapped for cash.

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    Growing Your Career Intro
    A high-level overview of the Growing Your Career section of the course.

    Be Good, and Easy To Work With
    Understand the impact of on-set dynamics, personal temperament, and the significance of positive collaborations and recommendations.

    Moving on to Bigger & Better Clients
    Actionable steps for securing more prestigious and better-paying opportunities as you progress through your career.

    Marketing Yourself: Reels
    Learn how to compile and market a strong cinematography reel to showcase your work, including standard and "sizzle" reels.

    Marketing Yourself: Websites
    Explore the benefits of having your own domain, options for website design and platforms, tips for creating an effective bio, and more.

    Marketing Yourself: Business Cards
    We’ll discuss the ongoing importance of physical business cards in the film industry today, along with tips on design and using your cards effectively.

    The Industry Glamour Effect
    Prepare yourself for an inevitable encounter with the ‘Industry Glamour Effect’.

    Leveraging Social Media
    Tips for maintaining a professional social media presence based on your unique goals as a cinematographer.

    Providing Recommendations
    Advice and a warning on how the quality of the recommendations you make can impact your reputation and career progression.

    Getting Press
    Learn how to make your press releases more appealing, how to make it easy for press to engage with you, and much more.

    Inventing Gear
    We’ll discuss the benefits of inventing - or causing the invention of - new tools and technologies during your career as a cinematographer.

    Multiple Revenue Streams
    Strategies for creating multiple revenue streams within the film industry to balance out irregular income and constant expenses.

    Growing Your Career Takeaways
    Closing remarks on the Growing Your Career section of the course.

    Section 4: Gear

    Invest in gear with confidence. Learn how to make informed decisions about the gear you buy. We'll explore different camera systems, drones, stabilizers, lenses, and other essential tools. We'll also share our best tips for renting out your gear to generate even more revenue.

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    Gear Intro
    A high-level overview of the Gear section of the course.

    Investing in Gear
    Learn the decision-making process and key considerations for owning camera gear as a cinematographer.

    Cameras
    A discussion on the most important factors to consider when purchasing and using cameras.

    Drones
    Which drones are best to invest in? Which drones will bring in the best ROI?

    Stabilizers
    All about stabilizers. One of the best investments you can make to raise your perceived production value.

    Steadicams
    Considering moving up from smaller gimbals to larger, more professional steadicams?

    Sliders
    The most important factors to consider when purchasing and using sliders.

    Lenses
    Cover your glass! How to choose which lenses to buy — brand, focal length, and much more.

    Monitor/Recorders
    Monitor/recorders are more versatile, and more important, than ever.

    Light Meters
    Do you know how to use a light meter? Do you even need one?

    Renting Out Your Gear
    We’ll cover insurance, tips for listing your gear on rental platforms, the "little white lie" of gear ownership, and much more.

    Gear Takeaways
    Closing remarks on the Gear section of the course.

    Section 5: Mastering The Craft

    Learn the skills that pay the bills. We'll delve into various lighting techniques, shot composition, capturing specific scenes, executing plans effectively, managing image workflow, and working with colorists. You'll also gain insights into avoiding rookie mistakes and following a structured process for more consistent results.

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    Mastering the Craft Intro
    A high-level overview of the Mastering the Craft section of the course.

    Three Point Lighting
    An overview and demonstration of three point lighting.

    Smart Side Lighting
    Tips and tricks and a demo of smart side lighting.

    Night Scene Lighting
    Advice for lighting night scenes.

    Product Shots
    Strategies for capturing product shots.

    Interviews
    Considerations for great interview compositions.

    Before You Shoot
    A discussion on design preparation, crew hiring, gear rental, testing ideas, tech scouting, and creating shot lists and overhead diagrams.

    While You Shoot
    Learn about the responsibilities of a DP on the shoot day, including working closely with the rest of the crew and thinking on your feet.

    Coverage
    We’ll discuss the bare minimum shots you must deliver, catching key details in the script, adding "gravy" shots, and more.

    Controlling Your On-Set Image
    This lesson covers practical lights, the role of digital post-production tools, and the use of special lights to save time on set.

    Executing a Plan
    Understanding the challenges of maintaining the original visual plan amidst numerous demands and compromises.

    After You Shoot
    A discussion on the expectations and involvement of a DP after the shoot, both immediately and over time.

    Managing Image Workflow
    Gain an understanding of image workflow and the cinematographer's role in each step.

    Managing Your Dailies
    Understand the impact of dailies on your reputation and client perception, and how to manage and process your files accordingly.

    Working With A Colorist
    Learn the language and how to communicate with colorists, embracing the iterative nature of the revision process in post-production.

    Doing Your Own Final Grade
    Learn the basics of color grading and how to do a final color grade yourself as a multi-talented cinematographer.

    Avoid These Rookie Mistakes
    We’ll provide you with strategies to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls that rookie cinematographers often encounter.

    Follow The BLRTS Process
    We’ll teach you BLRTS, a highly efficient method used to effectively cover scenes in low-budget independent productions.

    Mastering The Craft Takeaways
    Closing remarks on the Mastering The Craft section of the course.

    Section 6: Making Money

    In this section, we'll explore how much money you can make, and take a detailed look at real life day rates broken out by role and location. We'll also share our best strategies for maintaining client relationships, understanding residual income, managing finances and taxes, and identifying additional revenue streams.

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    Making Money Intro
    A high-level overview of the Making Money section of the course.

    How Much Money Can You Make?
    From high-end commercials to longer-form work, independent projects, and minor markets, discover the range of day rates and potential income levels.

    What Is A Good Day Rate?
    This lesson contains our comprehensive and exclusive survey data revealing average and median day rates across multiple regions and job titles.

    Maintaining Client Relationships
    Learn how to increase the likelihood of securing future work and making yourself unforgettable to your clients.

    The Reality Of Residual Income
    We’ll discuss the importance of negotiating for upfront pay and treating residuals as a nice bonus rather than a primary source of income.

    Tips For Better Bookkeeping
    Learn how to simplify essential administrative tasks and streamline the payment process as a freelance cinematographer.

    Should You Incorporate?
    Discover the benefits of incorporating yourself as a separate business, and weigh them against the costs you might incur when doing so.

    Unions
    We’ll discuss the mixture of union and non-union work in the industry, as well as the potential benefits of joining a union yourself.

    Agents & Managers
    Learn the difference between agents and managers in the film industry, and the effect representation can have on your career growth.

    Taxes
    Understand the distinction between payroll and contract jobs in terms of tax obligations, and how to minimize your tax payments within legal boundaries.

    Writing Off Gear/Amortization
    Learn about the tax implications of writing off gear purchases, the concept of amortization, and our best tips for keeping more of your money.

    Dealing With Receipts
    We’ll discuss keeping receipts for reimbursable expenses, the significance of receipts for tax purposes, and how to be prepared for potential audits.

    Lawyers & Legal
    Understand the importance of contracts and legal agreements, the potential liabilities and risks involved in filmmaking, and more.

    Protecting Your Mental Health
    A discussion on maintaining work-life balance, dealing with the pressures of the industry, recognizing and addressing burnout, and seeking support.

    Making Money Takeaways
    Closing remarks on the Making Money section of the course.

    Section 7: Conclusion

    This final section wraps up the course with a summary of the key concepts discussed in the previous sections. You'll receive guidance on the next steps to take in your cinematography journey, and conclude the course inspired and equipped with the knowledge and skills you need to make more money as a cinematographer.

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    Conclusion & Next Steps
    A summary of the key concepts discussed in the course, with guidance on the next steps to take in your cinematography journey.

    Make A No-Brainer Investment In Your Future

    Achieving just one of these course outcomes will immediately produce a positive return on your investment:

    • Landing your first client
    • Landing a larger client at a higher day rate
    • Adding a new revenue stream to your business
    • Avoiding unnecessary gear purchases
    • Buying and profiting off your gear using our methods
    • Improving your overall workflow and production efficiency
    • Adjusting your rate based on our exclusive worldwide survey
    • Applying our methods for securing recurring work and referrals
    • Structuring your deals to include compensation you wouldn't normally receive
    • Implementing one or more of our tips to save on your taxes
    • Applying our tips for incorporating, joining a union, and working with agents and managers
    MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR | CHARLES HAINE

    Charles Haine is a filmmaker and entrepreneur working in the motion picture industry since 1999. Since completing his MFA at the USC School of Cinema Television in 2006, he has worked as a freelance director and cinematographer of numerous award-winning commercials, music videos, web series, and feature films.

    Haine also works as an educator and author. He is currently the Acting Program Director at the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema at Brooklyn College. He recently published two books with Focal Press, “Business & Entrepreneurship for Filmmakers” and “Color Grading 101.” He has written for frame.io, Boris FX, and many other online platforms, and has been a prominent contributor to all of No Film School’s platforms (articles, videos, and podcasts) since 2016.

    MEET YOUR PUBLISHER | NO FILM SCHOOL

    No Film School is the world’s most popular filmmaking website, with over a million visitors every month. We publish the latest news, tutorials, interviews, and videos to help you become a better filmmaker. Our popular and highly-rated podcast places consistently at the top of the charts for Film & TV.

    No Film School was founded in 2010 by award-winning filmmaker Ryan Koo, who went on to write and direct AMATEUR, a Sundance Screenwriters Lab selection and Netflix Original Film.

    The site’s distinct voice has been “by filmmakers, for filmmakers” since the beginning, giving NFS unmatched credibility in the filmmaking community.

    A WORD FROM NO FILM SCHOOL'S FOUNDER | RYAN KOO

    “In the decade since I started No Film School, we’ve published thousands of free articles, videos and podcasts. But to really impact filmmaker’s careers, we’ve always wanted to create in-depth online courses.

    Now, we’re finally doing it with HOW TO MAKE MONEY AS A CINEMATOGRAPHER. We can't wait for you to experience the course we've created for you. Thank you for being a part of the future of No Film School!”

    7-Day Money-Back Guarantee

    Enroll with confidence!


    We're so convinced that this course will help you level up your career that we're standing behind it with a 7-Day Money-Back Guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied with your investment in this course, simply let us know within 7 days and we'll refund you 100% — no questions asked!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • How do I know if this course is for me?

      This course is helpful for all skill levels. If you want to learn valuable film industry secrets, secure better projects and bigger clients, advance your career, and make (and keep) more money doing what you love, this course is for you.

    • When will I receive access, and how long will I have access for?

      As soon as you join you'll gain immediate access to all of the chapters, videos, and resources. After joining, you'll retain lifetime access to all of the content. This ensures you can get started right away and move through the content at your own pace.

    • What happens after I click 'Join Now'?

      When you click "Join Now", you'll be taken to the checkout page where you can purchase this course. Once you've purchased the course, you'll be asked to create a username and password combination which you'll use to access all of the videos and resources moving forward.