There is common confusion about the differences of digital management roles on photo sets and video sets. Let’s clear that up.

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TL;DR On photosets and smaller video shoots, the role for managing the video files is a Data Wrangler, not a DIT. More and more digital techs are adding data wrangling to their services and charge an extra fee for data wrangling, along with their regular digital tech duties.

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On photo sets, the digital management role is called a Digital Tech:

Digital Tech: noun, the digital technician oversees everything digital, from the camera to managing the image files on the computer, the various monitors, backups, client harddrives, wifi or any other digital extras that are needed for the job. Digital tech is a photo set term. The role is called DIT on film and video shoots and the skill set and equipment are different.

The similar role on film and video sets is referred to as DIT, digital imaging technician. You will here these two terms used interchangeably but they are different roles.

On film sets, the digital management role is called DIT:

DIT: noun, the digital imaging technician secures the data and backups (data wrangling), assists the DP with LUTs and creating the desired look, creating and delivering dailies. They are the pipeline for getting the footage from the production to the post-production team. Learn: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-dit-film-crew/

Data wrangler is a common alternative to DITs and work on smaller video shoots, like hybrid photoshoots, that do not require a DIT. Sometimes, big shoots will have a DIT and Data Wrangler working together.

Data wrangler is the role on smaller film and video sets:

Data Wrangler: noun, the digital technician on video sets that manages card downloads, backups, file organization, reports and makes proxies. It’s like a digital tech when the photographer is shooting to card. Learn: https://www.post-pro.io/blog/dit-vs-data-wrangler---whats-the-difference

Typically, if a photoshoot is hybrid and needs video support, the role is filled by a data wrangler, not a DIT. The data wrangler is most similar to a digital tech on a photoshoot that is shooting to card. When not tethered, the digital tech is performing the same functions as a data wrangler (downloading cards, managing backups, organizing files, making low-res previews, etc.) but with software for photo management instead of software for video management.

Why are they different? Isn’t it just running a computer on set?

The roles are different for two reasons, the division of labor and the technical requirements. Digital techs is a broader role than DIT.

Digital techs responsibilities:

  1. managing the digital camera and making sure it is working to the photographer’s standards, ensuring it is connected and delivering the files to the computer properly, whether tethered or via card downloads.
  2. Color grading and ensuring images have the correct look, styles, edits and colors that photographer and client want.
  3. Quality control of images: checking images for proper exposure and focus. Communicating to the crew when problems arise, like if it’s out of focus.
  4. ensuring the images are being displayed on the monitors properly to help the crew and client make creative decisions. If the AD or photographer can’t see the images when they need to, they aren’t making decisions with the right data.
  5. Digital file management: renaming, backing up, organizing, making proofs and delivering the raw files

Now, let’s look at how these responsibilities are broken down on film sets. Big film sets, like movies and tv commercials, will have at least three roles: AC, DIT, and Video Playback (VTR or VAO).

  1. AC (assistant camera operator): managing the camera and making sure it is working to the DP and Camera Operator’s standards, ensuring it is connected and delivering the files to the computer properly, whether tethered or via card downloads.
  2. Video Playback (Learn: VTR or VAO) performs live playback for review. ensuring the images are being displayed on the monitors properly to help the director and crew make creative decisions. Works closely with the script supervisor.
  3. DIT: Color grading and ensuring images have the correct look, LUTs and color that director and client want.
  4. DIT: Quality control of images: checking images for proper exposure and focus. Communicating to the crew when problems arise, like if it’s out of focus.
  5. DIT: Digital file management: renaming, backing up, organizing, making proofs and delivering the raw files

Smaller video shoots will blend these roles together. The AC might help with the camera and video playback, or data wrangling. Or any combination that works.

Another major difference between digital techs and DITs/data wranglers is the software, hardware and the knowledge. The software for managing photos is different from managing video files. The hardware supporting the camera and connecting the camera to the computer is different. And, of course, the deep knowledge required of these roles is different depending on your photo or video expertise.

I need support for a hybrid photoshoot. Who do I hire?

For hybrid photoshoots, you want a data wrangler. However, many digi techs are now capable of data wrangling on the same shoot. They will charge an additional fee for data wrangling on top of their regular digi tech duties. Some shoots the workflow will be too intense for one person to do both, and you will need both roles, a digital tech to support the photo crew and a data wrangler to support the video crew.