About the role
Company/Platform: News Alert
Department: Production
Reports To: Assignment Editor / Administrator
Job Type: Full-time (Requires field and studio flexibility)
Job Purpose
The Cinematographer is the visual mastermind behind News Alert’s digital and video footprint. This role requires a highly creative and technically accomplished visual storyteller who can define the look, lighting, framing, and movement of all video assets. Moving seamlessly between a highly structured multi-camera studio, unpredictable field journalism environments, and commercial aerial spaces, the Cinematographer transforms raw concepts into high-end, cinematic news packages, documentaries, and branded client content.
Key Responsibilities & Duties
Studio Cinematography & Technical Mastery
- Visual Direction: Designing the signature visual identity, composition templates, and camera angles for daily news bulletins, talk shows, and digital explainers.
- Advanced Lighting Design: Mastering studio grid lighting, multi-point setups, and green screen keys to achieve pristine, professional depth and mood.
- Audio Integration: Coordinating with audio systems to ensure wireless lapel, boom, and studio microphones deliver crisp, synchronized, broadcast-ready sound.
- Multi-Camera Operations: Operating and matching color profiles across a multi-camera studio configuration (DSLRs, mirrorless, or cinema cameras).
- Mobile Field Production: Deploying alongside reporters and digital creators to capture high-energy pieces-to-camera (PTCs), fast-breaking news b-roll, and immersive investigative packages.
- Cinematic Drone Flying: Planning and executing safe, licensed, and highly artistic drone flights to pull stunning aerial footage that elevates documentary and news pacing.
- Visual Storytelling: Spontaneously identifying visual hooks, transitions, and framing opportunities while working under high-pressure, fast-breaking field conditions.
Production Asset Management & Logistics
- Gear Oversight: Overseeing the preventative maintenance, cleaning, firmware updates, and tracking of all high-end production assets (cameras, lenses, drone kits, stabilizing gimbals).
- Rapid Deployment: Maintaining a pre-charged, field-ready "MoJo" (Mobile Journalism) and cinema kit for instant response to breaking news events.
- Footage Workflow: Managing on-set data backup, logging raw clips, and establishing flawless file handoffs to the post-production and editing departments.
Job Specifications & Requirements
- Education: Degree, Diploma, or specialized certification in Cinematography, Film Production, Media Studies, or Photography.
- Experience: 2–3 years of proven experience as a Cinematographer, Cameraman, or within a progressive newsroom, digital media platform, production agency, or commercial studio. A strong, diverse portfolio showcasing professional camera movement, lighting expertise, and aerial drone reels is mandatory.
- Technical & Artistic Edge:
- Exceptional mastery over cinema/mirrorless camera ecosystems, manual focus pulls, lens selection, and advanced stabilizer rigs.
- Comprehensive understanding of commercial drone mechanics (DJI ecosystems), airspace regulations, and outdoor flight safety.
- Deep knowledge of color theory, exposure, composition rules, and the ability to visualize how shots will translate into short-form content (vertical reels vs. horizontal packages).
- Language Skills: Functional communication in Urdu to smoothly direct field talent and collaborate with the assignment desk.