When film stock improved in quality and sound became clearer, movies became sleeker – and as a result, those film stars with power began to name the DPs they wanted to work with. With this new-found status, the DP (formerly known as “cameramen”) found that perks were on the rise. Today the DP is very much a separate entity from all other department heads; the title is listed among the “above the liners” – director and stars, with far greater pay, per diem, and hotel accommodations.
