DIT | Futures in Film

The job

The DIT links set and post. You set camera settings and looks with the DoP, check exposure, colour and focus on calibrated monitors, and run the on-set grade. You oversee copying and verifying the media and the hand-off to the lab or post house.

On some shows a data manager (or data wrangler) does the copying while you concentrate on the image. A DIT assistant may support both.

A typical day

In prep, test cameras and build looks with the DoP and colourist.
On the day, set up your cart and monitors near set and agree the plan with the 1st AC.
During takes, watch the image and flag issues to the DoP and focus puller.
Take media from the 2nd AC or trainee; copy, verify and log every card.
At wrap, hand off the day's media and reports.

Skills

Expert knowledge of digital cameras, codecs and colour pipelines.
Calibrated monitoring and on-set grading.
Rigorous data management and verification.
Calm problem-solving when a camera or card fails.
Clear communication with the DoP and post.

Who you report to

You report to the DoP. The data manager and DIT assistant report to you.

How people get in

DITs come from the camera department, from post-production or from technical rental house roles. Many start as data managers. ScreenSkills publishes a DIT profile. Knowledge of colour science and post workflows is essential.

Next step up

DIT on larger shows, or a move to colourist or post-production supervision. Some DITs become DoPs.

The DIT looks after the image and the data.