The unfortunate experience of a Director of Photography

What would you do if someone offered you a job .. -living at the South Pole for 13 months in total isolation filming a documentary for television following the biological cycle of a bird species, rough climate and conditions, temperatures -20 C, working 10 hours a day, 7 days a week, work with another filmmaker. There is no assistant, just the two of you. You cannot see your rushes until you return to Europe so you will be working "blind" -the director, whose idea it was, cannot be there for the filming, he is a scientist by profession, studied animal behavior and learned how to shoot film ten years ago. He has made several documentaries up until now.

-You are provided with a shot list - a sequence planner, itemizing what scenes you need to film, it describes what the animals will be doing month by month so you can plan your shooting schedule. You are virtually on your own to photograph the film with this shot list, you are given full and total responsibility to choose how to film, you must store the exposed film in the deep freeze for the duration of your stay.

-When you leave Europe , the production company doesn't have enough money for a proper salary, so they offer you half now, and the other half when you return along with a percentage bonus if it all goes well. You agree to accept for now, 2,000 euros a month, on the assurance that the rest will come at the end

.

-The job is strenuous and challenging, but rewarding. One day, an accident occurs, you and your fellow filmmaker get caught in a sudden blizzard and spend 6 hours in 160 kph winds ,( -60 degrees C.) the rescue team finds you after 1 ½ hours, both of you are suffer injuries and frostbite, you need one month in the infirmary to recover. You nearly die in the storm.

-you return after 13 months to your European city is no fun, you have very little money to pay your rent, taxes, and other expenses, you are confused, disoriented, maybe a bit depressed, but also alone, as your live-in partner/ girlfriend has split.

-The production company calls you in , 4 months after your return, the 'director' tells you at first that he does not like how you made his film, how you photographed the sequences.

-The production company then tells you the exceptional quality of imagery means that they are turning this documentary into a feature film. They tell you to tear up your old contract. You must sign new ones. They are backdated, supposed to be "retroactive", but on these new contracts, the original clauses referring to additional remuneration are excluded. You need the money so you agree to sign the new contract. You mention that you want recognition of your unique role in this film and proper remuneration.

- Generous and a bit naïve by nature, you decide to share your Director of Photography credit with your fellow filmmaker, after all you lived 13 months together, and nearly died together, but ,in fact, he was only responsible for recording sound, shooting DVD and additional camera, and helped set up lights and underwater cameras- an all round assistant.

-The film is edited, lots of additional people are brought on board, new production partners (producers) sign up, the film is released and attracts big audiences, the film goes to Sundance Film Festival where it is bought by Americans. They re-edit the film and take out all the stylistic contributions of the 'director' who did not like your treatment, or your rushes. In fact, they have bought the film's images, which is entirely your photography. The images you photographed are used to tell another story.

-The movie becomes a smash hit with audiences around the world. It makes lots of money. It gets nominated for the Academy Award in the Best Documentary category. The Director and Producers attend the Oscar ceremony. You are not invited. When the film wins the Academy Award, you are not thanked, in fact, your name is never mentioned.

Articles in the press appear where the Director is quoted saying he was in the South Pole for the entire time, he had a crew with him, but he did much of the filming. He tells audiences after screenings how difficult it was physically to endure, how he was exposed to excessive radiation from the sun, how hard it was to return to life in a big city after such an experience, but especially what a close call it was when he was trapped in a sudden blizzard and nearly died. What a hero.

-The film goes on to be the most famous documentary ever, seen around the world in unprecedented, record breaking numbers.

The producers have earned a fortune, their production company has struck gold. Once again, you remind the production company of your contribution to this film, that you want recognition of your roll on this film, and that you want your original contract honored. They refuse this, and start a campaign in the press, attacking your character as a greedy technician out for money just because the film has been so successful.

This helps to explain why cinematographer Laurent Chalet has filed a lawsuit against Luc Jacquet and Bonne Pioche for his contribution and role as co-director and co-author of La Marche de l'Empereur, the March of the Penguins.

by Amelie  Zola March 2007