Director of Photography

For more details please visit: https://app.notion.com/p/madrealities/Director-of-Photography-36dd1c3695d880a8873cdf50da403397

Director of Photography 

Company: Mad Realities

Location: New York, NY

Job Type: Full-time or contractor, depending on experience and fit

Hiring Manager: Clare Naughton

About Mad Realities

Mad Realities is defining the future of TV, bridging the gap between culture born online and television-level production. We partner with creators to make original episodic content that you can experience on all social platforms.

• Lead the visual and technical execution of Mad Realities shoots, including camera, lighting, coverage, and on-set workflow
• Translate the Creative Producer / Director’s vision into a clear, efficient, and executable plan for the shoot
• Manage camera operators and support crew on set, making sure coverage is coordinated, consistent, and production-ready
• Operate camera when needed depending on the scope and needs of the shoot
• Design and enable lighting setups that elevate the look of each format while staying realistic for lean, fast-moving productions
• Determine camera, lens, lighting, grip, monitoring, and support needs based on the specific creative and logistical demands of each shoot
• Communicate clearly with production ahead of each shoot around gear needs, rentals, crew needs, setup time, power, space limitations, and potential production constraints
• Oversee on-set camera workflow, including camera placement, framing, exposure, focus, movement, and continuity across multiple angles
• Maintain a calm, organized, and efficient set while helping production stay on schedule
• Adapt quickly to changing shoot environments including studios, apartments, restaurants, public spaces, events, and uncontrolled lighting conditions
• Stay current with short-form video aesthetics across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and creator-led digital entertainment

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience as a Director of Photography, camera department lead, lead camera operator, or comparable production role
• Strong reel demonstrating polished visual work across social-first, documentary, unscripted, branded, commercial, or creator-led productions
• Proven ability to lead camera operators and support crew on fast-paced sets
• Experience building lighting setups that are visually strong, practical, and efficient for lean production environments
• Strong communication skills, strong on-set leadership, and calm decision-making under time pressure
• ++ for experience with multi-cam shoots, studio builds, man-on-the-street formats, or documentary-style productions
• +++ for experience shooting short-form viral content, creator-led series, or digital entertainment formats for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube

Specifications

• Engagement type: Full-time or contractor, depending on experience and fit
• Rate / Salary: TBD based on experience
• Typical shoot length: Half-day 6 hours, full-day 10 hours
• Location: New York City
• Reports to: Director of Operations & Production, and Creative Producer / Director on set

� To apply, please send an introduction, resume, and portfolio of relevant work to [email protected] with the subject line titled: Director of Photography.