Camera

Drone Operator playbook.

Flies the aerial shots — legally, safely, and only where it's actually cleared to fly.

What this role owns

Director of Photography

Not your call

If a location isn't cleared for flight, that's not a judgment call — it's a no.

First move

Confirm airspace and location permission before you plan a single shot.

Titles are usually given to whoever's already doing the work — if that's you, say so.

Also in Camera

Owns the image — camera, lighting, and the visual plan that makes the director's vision readable on screen.

Runs a camera on a real shoot — framing, following the action, and holding a shot the editor can actually use.

Keeps the shot in focus and the camera package running — the difference between a usable take and a soft one.

Slates, logs, and hands the camera team everything it needs without slowing anyone down.

Shoots the photos that aren't video — behind the scenes, promotional stills, and the images that sell a project before anyone sees the film.