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Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Occupation Detailed Description

Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film

The main tasks and work activities of Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film are to operate still or video cameras or related equipment, determine technical requirements of productions or projects, set up still or video cameras or related equipment, collaborate with others to determine technical details of productions. In general, for the Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film, active Listening, speaking, reading Comprehension, judgment and Decision Making and other 7 skills are required.
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film jobs. 17.82% of Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 6.9% of Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film have Bachelor's Degree and Above.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
17.82%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0.00%
Some College Courses
14.58%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
60.70%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
6.90%

Tasks and Work Activities of Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film

  • Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
  • 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 zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
  • Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
  • 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.
  • Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.
  • Instruct camera operators regarding camera setups, angles, distances, movement, and variables and cues for starting and stopping filming.
  • Label and record contents of exposed film and note details on report forms.
  • Read charts and compute ratios to determine variables such as lighting, shutter angles, filter factors, and camera distances.
  • Set up cameras, optical printers, and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects.
  • View films to resolve problems of exposure control, subject and camera movement, changes in subject distance, and related variables.
  • Reload camera magazines with fresh raw film stock.
  • Read and analyze work orders and specifications to determine locations of subject material, work procedures, sequences of operations, and machine setups.
  • Prepare slates that describe the scenes being filmed.
  • Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.
  • Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.
  • Assemble studio sets and select and arrange cameras, film stock, audio, or lighting equipment to be used during filming.
  • Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition.
  • Stay current with new technologies in the field by reading trade magazines.
  • Thinking CreativelyDeveloping, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Operate still or video cameras or related equipment.
  • Determine technical requirements of productions or projects.
  • Set up still or video cameras or related equipment.
  • Collaborate with others to determine technical details of productions.
  • Inspect sets or exhibits.
  • Coordinate activities of production personnel.
  • Label production materials.
  • Manage content of broadcasts or presentations.
  • Review details of technical drawings or specifications.
  • Edit audio or video recordings.
  • Operate communications, transmissions, or broadcasting equipment.
  • Select materials or props.
  • Maintain recording or broadcasting equipment.
  • Research new technologies.
  • Direct productions or performances.
  • Create computer-generated graphics or animation.
  • Write informational material.

Skills and Abilities for Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film

  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • OriginalityThe ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Equalizerse.g. Audio equalizers
  • Automated film processore.g. Automatic film processors
  • Wire lug crimping toole.g. Cable compression crimp tools
  • Headphonese.g. Circumaural headphones
  • Lightmeterse.g. Digital light meters
  • Multimeterse.g. Digital multimeters
  • Electronic viewfindere.g. Directors' viewfinders
  • Distortion metere.g. Distortion analyzers
  • Digital camcorders or video camerase.g. Electronic field production EFP cameras
  • Soldering irone.g. Gun solder irons
  • Hex keyse.g. Hex key sets
  • Specialty wrenchese.g. Iris rod wrenches
  • Tape measurese.g. Measuring tapes
  • Camera harnessese.g. Mobile mountings
  • Cinematographic camerase.g. Movie production cameras
  • Soldering irone.g. Pencil solder irons
  • Workshop cranese.g. Portable cranes
  • Video monitorse.g. Portable video monitors
  • Nut driverse.g. Precision nut drivers
  • Frequency analyzerse.g. Real-time spectrum analyzers
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Communications and MediaKnowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
  • TelecommunicationsKnowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.