What does DIT stand for?

[Brook Willard]

What do I do if I am in Boston prepping a 30 million dollar feature with 2 REDs and the producers only want one person doing the RED Tech/ Data Wrangling? How do I find someone to fly in to do the work and help me?

I wish we could have a separate DIT and Data person but that will never happen. Cheap mentality.

Peter

Peter Lyons Collister, ASC

Most DITs I know handle both data and teching (and all that entails beyond pressing buttons) singlehandedly. I often end up with 3-5+ cameras to deal with simultaneously and can still spend my time where I need to be - on set. Proper gear, knowledge and on-set workflow can make a single-DIT show run very smoothly.

I just got off of a shorter 7 camera show that shot 500-750GB per day, just as an example. I was still able to always be on set, able to grade footage on my system and generally assist the DP to my fullest... but never got caught up with data and usually beat the assistants out. [edit: don't get me wrong, this isn't something I prefer, recommend or enjoy... I think 7 is too many for one person... but it can be done].

Personally, having somebody else take care of the data freaks me out. It's not that I have a system that I don't trust others with, it's just merely that I can work more effectively when there's no guessing or catching up.

Now don't get me wrong, a 7 camera shoot is excessive for one person to remain effective. Large stunt/2nd unit days should have a few DITs to keep eyes and ears to the ground all over the place. But for a two or three camera show? One DIT should be able to handle that while spending most of his/her time where he/she is most valuable.

 

[Roberto Lequeux]

It actually stands for Do It Today, a popular inspirational speaker's catch phrase.

So DO IT! TODAY!! Wohoooo!!!

Don't listen to Brook, he doesn't know what he is talking about.
I am obviously kidding but just thought I'd disclaim it. xP