The lack of strong trade unions and necessary law, the fear from losing jobs... It is not a introduction to the description of the situation of minors in Poland, but to the description of the situation of cinematographers in Europe. The first part of discussion about cinematographers’ rights concentrated on the problem of contacts, overtimes, and… the lack of solidarity in the world of cinematographers.

On Wednesday a special team of cinematographers was elected. They are to prepare the text of announcement to TV stations to stop interrupting movies with commercial. We should consider this panel one of the most important events on Camerimage 2005. Outstanding lawyers will attend this meeting. Conditions of cinematographer’s work were presented by American, German, Dutch and French representatives.

Those who still think, that the work of cinematographer is a never-ending enjoyment and fun, decisively should came to the first part of the panel. This one was on the most serious problem… the time of work and a matter of overtime. According to Michael Neubauer, the president of German Association of Cinematographers, Germans can work even 15 or 16 hours, but after they should be given 11 hours break. The problem is that cinematographers did not develop their own trade union and it is quite difficult for them to enforce it. French representative admitted that “we are lazy and we are working 8 hours". Kees van Oostrum from America stated that daily time of work should be reasonable, but overtime is not taken into consideration because it occurred to be too costly.

Another topic of the discussion was a matter of rules in the profession. Neubauer presented conception of “Three C": Competence, Confidence and Communication, the most important values that the cinematographer should obey. “Three C" are the key to success for those who actually decide how the work of the team will be evaluated.

There was many complaints. For example German cinematographers are responsible for their two person’s team and have to negotiate contracts for the person named “clapper loader" on their own. That causes many problems. Another target of complaints were directors and producers ,that do not understand the work of cinematographers. “I have been working with one producer, who made us work 6 days per week. When I met him later, he worked as director and he fought for 5 days work per week." said Mike Southern from Great Britain.

Guests of the meeting also talked about the dependence of long work and accidents on the plan. “In USA barman is responsible for accident, made by drunk guy that is leaving his pub. This solution is also applied to film’s teams - producers would like to pay for hotel than let filmmakers to come back home by night." said Oostrum.

They were all together complaining that associations and all kind of cinematographers’ organizations have insignificant influence on producers. They also pointed out a lack of solidarity in cinematographers’ world. According to Oostrum, American cinematographers - just like our deputies - experience a real nightmare. That is because their contracts are valid for the period of 4 years. Oostrum doubted if the position of cinematographer can be legally enforced “those are our competences that determine our position. If you prove that you are good, the best, actually irreplaceable - that will be the best cover". On the other hand Tony Costa, the vice-president of IMAGO Association, tried to call for promotion of solidarity between local cinematographers’ associations as well as between cinematographers themselves. For example by rejecting offers to work on productions when the previous cinematographer was fired in unclear circumstances. “If the producers knew that nobody will accept an offer after fired operator, they would respect us more." - he claimed.

The most surprising and rewarded with applause part of the meeting was the moment, when one of the German female cinematographers said: “Most cinematographers are single, as it is quite difficult to build a family for us. It is mainly because when you promise, that you will be home by Friday evening, it is more likely that you will get there on Saturday morning. That is what we should remember about when we talk about overtime work."

Special team of operators preparing a draft of petition about prohibiting commercials in the movies will start working as soon as the panel ends. Than it will be given to all guests of the festival to sign.