Cinematographer / Director of Photography (DOP) Jobs in Chennai Film and OTT Production (Tamil)

📋 Job Description

Jobzi is sourcing qualified candidates for Cinematographer / Director of Photography (DOP) positions in Chennai's private Film and OTT Production (Tamil) sector. This is a full-time opportunity with a reputed Tamil Film and OTT Content Production employer in Chennai offering competitive salary, structured growth, and a professional work environment. Tamil communication skills are preferred alongside English for professional and business interaction in Chennai.

📌 Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the director to define the visual language, colour palette, lighting style, and camera movement approach for the Tamil film or OTT production
• Design and execute lighting setups for each scene to achieve the intended mood, atmosphere, and visual aesthetic within budget and time constraints
• Select lenses, camera bodies, and support equipment appropriate to the visual style and practical demands of each schedule and location
• Operate the primary camera or supervise camera operators and focus pullers to execute shots precisely as designed and within the director's framing requirements
• Scout locations in advance with the director and AD team to assess natural light conditions and plan artificial lighting requirements for each scene
• Co-ordinate with the gaffer and grip team on light placement, rigging, and movement to achieve consistent and technically sound visual output
• Review dailies with the director to assess image quality, consistency, and alignment with the established visual grammar of the production
• Maintain continuity of visual style across all shooting days and schedules, including returns to previously shot locations

🎓 Qualifications and Requirements

• 2 to 8 years of experience as a DOP or camera assistant on Tamil film, OTT, or ad film productions with a strong reel demonstrating visual work
• Diploma in Cinematography from LV Prasad Film Academy, FTII, Prasad Institute, or equivalent recognised film school
• Expert knowledge of camera systems including ARRI Alexa, Sony Venice, Red, and Canon Cinema range used in Tamil film productions
• Deep understanding of lighting principles, colour temperature, and how to achieve consistent cinematic imagery across varied locations and conditions
• Ability to operate DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro for on-set look development, reference LUTs, and basic grading for dailies review
• Strong aesthetic sensibility and familiarity with Tamil cinema's visual conventions, colour preferences, and storytelling through camera movement
• Clear ability to communicate creative vision to the director, AD team, and technical crew through storyboards, reference frames, or verbal briefings
• Good Tamil and English communication skills for team coordination and client interaction in Chennai.

✅ Required Skills

🏆 Certifications and Qualifications

Diploma or Graduate in Film Directing or Mass Communication for assistant director roles; Diploma or Graduate in Cinematography for camera and DOP roles; Diploma in Sound Engineering for audio and sound design roles; Graduate in Visual Communication for editing and VFX roles; NFTS, LV Prasad Film Institute, or FTII courses for technical production roles; knowledge of Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Premiere Pro for editing roles; Nuke, After Effects, and Maya for VFX and animation; Tamil language fluency is essential for all creative and production roles in Tamil cinema