Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film

What does a professional in this career do?

Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.

In this job you will...

• Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors.
• Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
• Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
• Confer with directors, sound and lighting technicians, electricians, and other crew members to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, desired effects, camera movements, and lighting requirements.
• Operate zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
• Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.
• Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.
• Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
• Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition.
• Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.
• Instruct camera operators regarding camera setups, angles, distances, movement, and variables and cues for starting and stopping filming.
• Assemble studio sets and select and arrange cameras, film stock, audio, or lighting equipment to be used during filming.
• Read and analyze work orders and specifications to determine locations of subject material, work procedures, sequences of operations, and machine setups.
• View films to resolve problems of exposure control, subject and camera movement, changes in subject distance, and related variables.
• Direct studio productions.
• Set up cameras, optical printers, and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects.
• Read charts and compute ratios to determine variables such as lighting, shutter angles, filter factors, and camera distances.
• Set up and operate electric news gathering (ENG) microwave vehicles to gather and edit raw footage on location to send to television affiliates for broadcast.
• Write new scripts for broadcasts.
• Design graphics for studio productions.
• Stay current with new technologies in the field by reading trade magazines.