Guild of British Camera Technicians

As a member of the Cine Guilds of Great Britain[1] (CGGB), the GBCT does not act as a trade union. The relevant trade union for UK members is the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (BECTU). Other members of the CGGB include the British Society of Cinematographers (BSC), the society of British Film Editors (BFE) and the British Film Designers Guild (BFDG).

In 2011 the GBCT joined with the BSC, GBFTE and BECTU to form a not for profit collecting society - Screen Craft Rights [2]- to receive copyright payments from sales of film and TV productions to Finland, Germany, Norway and Sweden and distribute them to UK cinematographers, designers and editors.

On 12th May 2020 the GBCT was one of four signatories on a statement related to Covid-19 safer working practices. Other signatories were the BSC, ACO and BECTU Camerabranch.[3]

The GBCT has a long-standing affiliation with the University of Arts London through the UAL Diploma provision.[4]

Professionals in the industry have long recognised the importance of camera craft to finished films and television programmes, with specific awards for cinematography from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences the British Academy of Film and Television Arts as well as more craft specific awards such as The Operators Award,[5] organised by the GBCT, the BSC and the Association of Camera Operators as well the Guild of Television Camera Professionals Awards for Excellence in Camerawork.

Through the stated aims of the GBCT and the rigorous membership process, the craft of camerawork is upheld by the membership and hence the UK film industry as a whole, which "in 2019 also saw the second-highest level of spend by international filmmakers ever recorded, reaching £1.77 billion".

The Guild, as it is known colloquially among members and the industry, was formed in 1977 by focus pullers Terry Cole and John Deaton and camera operators Mike Fox and Geoff Glover who wanted to create a non-political association with an authoritative presence in the industry. Their intention was to create an organisation that protected the interests and aspirations of a growing freelance workforce while developing new talent and maintaining the best and highest standards – to promote the technicians who are "The best of the best".[6]

The GBCT has 6 eminent trustees drawn from the moving image industry who monitor its constitution which lays out very clearly the role of the GBCT; The current trustees are:

Founding Trustee: Sir Sydney Samuelson CBE

Producer/Director: Michael Apted

Producer: Steve Clark Hall

Producer/Director: Richard Lester

Cinematographer: Phil Méheux

Director: Joe Wright

Members work with and within the camera department, including roles such as grips and script supervisor and specialist technicians for visual effects, aerial and underwater filming. To be accepted for membership they would have to be nominated by four existing members before their nomination is sent to the membership committee. If the committee approve the application then the GBCT Board, made up of the Chairperson and thirteen members of the GBCT, will then scrutinise and discuss the application before deciding whether or not that person can become a member.

Members could be working in a number of grades including (but not exclusive to) clapper loader, focus puller, camera operator, digital imaging technician, and director of photography/cinematographer.

The GBCT Crew Directory[7] has been published annually since 1980. It is supplied to members and distributed to production companies and personnel. Between 1980 and 2000 the GBCT published "Eyepiece"[8] on a bi-monthly basis and has a regular feature, written by members, for the BSC publication under the title "GBCT News".[9]

The GBCT is preparing for publication the "Guild Glossary" and "Specialist FAQ Sheets".The glossary is intended as a series of short articles exploring terms used by camera people in the motion picture industry. Some of these terms are common and widely understood, some are more unusual and sometimes cause confusion. Some of the entries will be highly technical, others more light hearted.

The GBCT’s FAQ Sheets are being designed and written by Guild Members who have additional specialist skills in camera, including aerial cinematography, underwater camera, shooting VFX and traditional methods for shooting miniatures.

One of the most significant areas of work for the GBCT is training and the maintenance of standards. This has included work with the sector skills council ScreenSkills[10] to provide training for military veterans.[11]

While it is not a requirement for members to use the letters 'GBCT' after their name, it is encouraged that they do so in common with organisations such as the BSC, the American Society of Cinematographers and the Directors Guild of America.