Hey Nick,

I replied to this comment above in a longer reply, but I’ll paste it here as well:

I don’t think your analogy of Apple Bee’s holds up either. A chef at Apple Bee’s is still a chef. He may not be as good or famous as Emiril Lagasse, but that does not diminish in any way his accomplishment just because he works at a chain family restaurant.

As far as the guy who shows up to shoot a wedding on a flip, I can name a dozen wedding filmmakers who, if given a flip, would make a “film” 100 times more engaging, emotional, and entertaining than some of the stuff I’ve seen shot on equipment that costs many thousands of dollars.

In general I understand your sentiment, but I would encourage you to expand your thinking on this topic. Take a look at the talent on Vimeo (and YouTube for that matter) creating original films shot on DSLRS or the RED. They are every bit as much “filmmakers” as someone who shoots on celluloid. Truth be told, there will come a time when NO more films are shot on celluloid. What then?

Hey Nick. First thanks for taking the time to comment. I love it when people engage in the conversation.

I could not disagree with you more though. I actually think it’s insulting to people who shoot on digital media to say they are NOT a filmmaker just because they’re not shooting on film. First, as I mentioned in an earlier comment, the media has nothing to do with how the general public considers a movie. Are you telling me that THE SOCIAL NETWORK is not a film just because it was shot on digital video? There are hundreds, if not thousands of more examples out there (of both feature films and short films) shot on digital media that are films.

Secondly, the work and energy that goes into lighting a digital film set well is on par with lighting a celluloid film set. And the number of people it takes to make those films is also no different.

Third, I don’t think your analogy of Apple Bee’s holds up either. A chef at Apple Bee’s is still a chef. He may not be as good or famous as Emiril Lagasse, but that does not diminish in any way his accomplishment just because he works at a chain family restaurant.

As far as the guy who shows up to shoot a wedding on a flip, I can name a dozen wedding filmmakers who, if given a flip, would make a “film” 100 times more engaging, emotional, and entertaining than some of the stuff I’ve seen shot on equipment that costs many thousands of dollars.

In general I understand your sentiment, but I would encourage you to expand your thinking on this topic. Take a look at the talent on Vimeo (and YouTube for that matter) creating original films shot on DSLRS or the RED. They are every bit as much “filmmakers” as someone who shoots on celluloid. Truth be told, there will come a time when NO more films are shot on celluloid. What then?

I agree, I have never shot on film and I think it is insulting to the legitimate people who do shoot on film to call yourself a filmmaker. To me there is a difference between film and video and unless you are shooting and editing film, you are not making a film, you are making a video. Don’t get me wrong, I understand how nice is sounds but I think it diminishes what the people actually shooting on film do. I don’t consider myself in the same league as them and I won’t call myself a filmmaker unless I am shooting and editing film. It is like someone who works at Applebee’s calling themselves a gourmet chef. How do you think a legit gourmet chef would feel. While the chef at Applebee’s might be cooking some great food, there is a difference between a grilled sirloin and a gourmet meal. I just feel calling yourself something because it sounds better is wrong and misleading. I like the Director/Producer title. Or Producer/Videographer. I consider myself a professional videographer. I would be insulted if some guy with a flip camera who rolled up to shoot a wedding would call himself the same thing.

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!

I have been shooting since before the advent of video. As a DP I am responsible for the visual look, feel and speed of what the Director has bouncing around in his/her head. I have earned this title with years of learning the art of light and its relevance to the medium being used to capture it as well as it’s effect on the human psyche.

That’s a good one too Mike. Love the creativity I’m seeing here.