Do I need to own my own kit and does it need to be the latest tech? This is the question DoPs and camera operators wrestle with endlessly, after all we are in an equipment-based profession, so surely everyone needs to have the kit they need to do their job? Not necessarily……maybe. There are pros and cons to having your own kit and it doesn’t really matter what level you’re working at, it comes with it’s own set of challenges, so in this blog let’s run through some of them.

If you’re a tech nerd like me which let’s face it, if you’re working in a technical department, 80% of you out there are, BSC Expo is like walking into a toy shop as a kid. All of the major manufacturers are exhibiting, from Arri and Zeiss to Cooke, Aputure, Sony and Tiffen. There is so much to see, two days almost isn’t enough.

Well, it’s here once again. BSC Expo, the place to be if you’re an aspiring DOP or filmmaker in general. For the uninitiated, BSC Expo is one of the biggest events on the industry calendar, at least in Europe. It’s a great opportunity to test all of the latest equipment, get insider news about upcoming releases, talk to manufacturers about their products, network with friends and colleagues old and new and attend seminars from some of the industry’s top DOPs talking about workflows, career advice, their work, as well as theoretical and artistic discussions. It may seem like a tech show, but it’s really a celebration of the moving image and everything that goes into making film.

Right, so how do I start this…….Hi! I’m Tom and I’m completely and utterly perplexed about what to write next. Apparently, blogging is a great thing so I’m giving it a go. I have thoughts and musings about the crazy world of TV, film and video production that I find myself in, so I thought I’d share those musings. In all seriousness, there are a lot of great blogs out there about all things cinema and camera operation. Still, often if I’m searching for an opinion or general advice I’m often left slightly underwhelmed or I don’t quite find the answers I’m looking for.