DoP life

When you come up with a really great idea for how to save some time and it takes three hours to turn over.

When I get to the end of operating a gruelling handheld shot and just hear "... Scene complete."

When it's day 1 and you're watching a bunch of grips, riggers and sparks meet each other for the first time.

When you're asked to step into the production trailer for a minute.

When the prelight's gone to shit and you arrive one minute before call time to sort it all out

When I can't work out why the framing is so weird and the AC points out my EVF is zoomed in.

When the producer says we can probably afford a few technocrane days if we don't shoot anamorphic.

When we have a B camera crew in for the day and the first thing that happens is the AD yelling SHOOTING FIRST TIME

When you're working with a new crew and you're trying to join in with all their running jokes.

When I'm trying to arrange meetings with directors I haven't worked with before.

When I walk into the dining bus for breakfast and the crew are asking if I have any idea what shot we're starting with.

When you're panning during the take and you discover the runner on their first day is frantically trying to wedge themselves out of the way into the corner of the set.

When there's the chance of an awesome job offer but it means cancelling a holiday with my wife.

When my phone accidentally goes off on set and I can't remember which pocket of my three layers of coats it's in.

When the ADs are trying to lock down a location for a stunt in a public area.

When I'm on set and I hear the producer and director talking about what their next project might be.

When someone from another department asks the ACs if they can borrow some camera tape.