Introduction
To draw in and dazzle potential employers, you need a strong CV that describes your relevant accomplishments, experience, and skills, as well as showcases your personality, like the one shown here. Use our cinematographer cv template to learn to craft and write an intriguing CV that will leave hiring managers wanting to know more. We offer advice for creating an enticing CV, and with our helpful guidelines you’ll have a leg up on writing your own Summary, Education, Skills, Work Experience, and Hobbies sections.
Create This CVCinematographer CV Template
Los Angeles, CA 11111
E: johnsmith@email.com P: 555-555-1111
Professional Summary
Skilled cinematographer with nine years of experience in television and motion picture production. Hard-working creative thinker who is an expert in the technical aspects of film photography. Skilled at recognizing and framing valuable shots. Proficient in the operation and placement of photographic equipment. Excellent interpersonal skills allow effective interaction with a variety of people, from directors to crew members to post-production teams. Expertise in devising workable budgets and obtaining necessary equipment. Detail-oriented yet artistic. Adept at blending creative vision with extensive technical knowledge and practicality.
Work Experience
Cinematographer
NuVision Studios
April 2011 – present
- Operate motion picture cameras to record scenes.
- Compose and frame all shots, using technical aspects of light, camera settings, filters, and film to capture the effect wanted by directors.
- Adjust controls and positions of cameras and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
- Consult with directors, sound and lighting technicians, electricians, and other crew members to discuss and determine assignments, filming sequences, camera movements, desired effects, and lighting requirements.
- Meet with directors in pre-production stage to develop an artistic vision and determine necessary equipment and staff.
- Hire camera crews and other personnel.
- Devise and manage workable budgets for film production at all stages.
- Work closely with post-production teams.
- Won state award for best cinematography on a film, June 2010.
Blue Lemon Cinematography
March 2008 – April 2011
- Composed and framed shots for television productions and motion pictures under the supervision of the lead cinematographer.
- Adjusted controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting under the direction of the lead cinematographer.
- Clarified assignments and goals to crew members.
- Participated in meetings with film directors, lighting and sound technicians, electricians, and other crew members to discuss artistic visions and goals and to discuss assignments and technical aspects of filming.
- Assisted in creating a workable budget.
- Member of a team that won first place in a state cinematography contest, October 2009.
Bachelor of Arts in Film Production – June 2007
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Skills:
- Skilled at working closely with directors to develop an artistic vision for each film
- Expertise in recognizing and framing important shots
- Strong foundation in technical photography basics
- Knowledge about setting up and operating film-specific photography equipment
- Proficient at guiding film crews in matters of assignments, budgets, equipment, and technical best practices
- Budget management
I enjoy spending time with my three cats. I have a passion for building model ships and operating radio-controlled model airplanes. I participate in a group that meets monthly to show their model airplanes off and fly them, and I like to film everything that is going on. Once a member lost control of his airplane, and it headed straight for me and my camera. On instinct, I ran. Luckily I held onto my equipment, even as I eventually dove into a bush. The plane hit a tree and exploded rather dramatically. Unfortunately, I missed that shot, still being ensconced in the shrubbery.

Using a Job Description to Create a Standout Cinematographer CV
A Sample Cinematographer Description
Job Summary
Are you creative and knowledgeable about operating camera equipment? Do you want to bring the visions of film directors to life? If so, joining our agency as a cinematographer may be the perfect job for you. As a cinematographer with Moving Pictures, we need you to shoot motion pictures and bring stories to life in novel and exciting visual ways. We are successful because we know that our work is more than just capturing scenes on celluloid. We work with directors to express the deep and underlying essence of stories in ways that will engage and enthrall movie audiences. You should be skilled at balancing artistic vision with practicality. If you love telling beautiful stories with unforgettable images, we want you working with us.
Job Responsibilities
Moving Pictures seeks a dedicated and creative cinematographer with a passion for bringing stories to life. Your responsibilities will include:
- Operating motion picture cameras to record scenes.
- Composing and framing every shot and applying technical aspects of light, filters, camera settings, and film to capture the effect desired by film directors.
- Adjusting controls and positions of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change exposure, focus, and lighting.
- Consulting with directors, lighting and sound technicians, electricians, and other crew members to discuss assignments and determine camera movements, filming sequences, desired effects, and lighting requirements.
If you have these qualifications, let’s talk!
- An associate degree in a relevant field; bachelor’s degree preferred
- Five years or more working as a cinematographer for television and motion picture productions
- Proficient in the technical basics of photography, with a strong ability to recognize and frame shots
- Knowledgeable about film-specific photography equipment, for both set-up and operation
- Skilled at working closely with directors, distributing assignments, and guiding other crew members
- Ability to manage a budget and staff

How to Employ the Job Description in Your Cinematographer CV
Sending out the same CV to every job opening in which you are interested, even if they are similar, can be a mistake. Each position stresses different skills and qualifications. In addition, many employers use advanced applicant tracking systems that target specific keywords, and only those CVs that include them are accepted. Therefore, as the applicant in the cinematographer cv template does, your best chance of an interview comes by inserting important keywords from the job description into your CV.
The cinematographer cv template draws from the job description to stress the applicant’s ability to blend practicality and technical knowledge with creative vision. The job description also emphasizes the need to work well and communicate effectively with various groups of people to achieve a single, common goal, and the cinematographer cv template takes its cue directly from the job description. It lists various ways that the applicant has worked with others and handled practical matters (for example, “Proficient at guiding film crews”¦,” “skilled at working closely with directors”¦”). The applicant also displays his passion for photography by describing some of his personal adventures.