International Cinematographers Guild | IATSE Local 600

The International Cinematographers Guild, or IATSE Local 600 is the union that represents Cinematographers within the United States of America for film and Television.  Just like with Local 80, and Local 728, Local 600 is part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) umbrella.

The Cinematographer, or Director of Photography, or DP for short is a vital position within filmmaking, and or Television Production. They are responsible for the overall look and feel of the Motion Picture or TV program. They combine technical camera skills, with creative vision, and interprets the vision of the Director of the Production into practical movie language, to give a complete the cinema package. He or she only answers to the Director and or the Producer of the production and has several department heads that he or she oversees.

If the Director of Photography is great, and the Director of the production is a novice, then the Director will shine because his or her team makes him or her look good. Some Directors are privileged enough to only work with their own selected DP, or they will not do the film.

The Key Grip oversees the Grip Department, and the Gaffer oversees the Electricians, they both answer to the DP. However, after the principal photography is complete, the Cinematographer’s job and all that he or she oversees is done.

Visit IATSE Local 600 at Cine Gear Expo, an event held annually at Paramount Studios in Hollywood California, just make sure to tell them Socialbilitty sent you!