Camera Operators are an essential part of the film production crew as they are the people who are actually capturing the footage. Without footage, there is no movie. Camera Operators in any television genre need a great deal of technical ability, industry-gained skills in camera work, and a working knowledge of the camera equipment they use. On multi-camera shoots, the Camera Operator must have the ability to take direction and to work as part of a team. If you want to work in this position, the key skills include capability to carry out instructions with vast accuracy and attention to detail, ability to frame and compose shots and perform camera moves with precision and speed, in-depth knowledge of camera work, excellent communication, interpersonal and diplomatic skills, good color vision and physical stamina for working long hours and moving heavy equipment.
Qualities of a camera operator
Without footage, there is no movie. Camera Operators in any television genre need a great deal of technical ability, industry-gained skills in camera work, and a working knowledge of the camera equipment they use. On multi-camera shoots, the Camera Operator must have the ability to take direction and to work as part of a team. If you want to work in this position, the key skills include capability to carry out instructions with vast accuracy and attention to detail, ability to frame and compose shots and perform camera moves with precision and speed, in-depth knowledge of camera work, excellent communication, interpersonal and diplomatic skills, good color vision and physical stamina for working long hours and moving heavy equipment.
Generally speaking Camera Operators will never choose what to shoot, and film whatever or whoever is in front of them, and even though Camera Operators are part of the team, it’s only either for the day or filming portion of the production. Being a Camera Operator means different things in different productions and means realizing that your pictures will influence the perception of how people understand messages for the finished film. Regardless if you are working on a small or large set, being a problem solver, being able to take charge and getting things done under the worst conditions is an absolute necessity. “The show must go on” is very true in the life of a Camera Operator and you need to be able to multitask and work with all staff on set which includes the techs, director, talent, clients, audience and anyone else who may have anything to do with the shot.
As a Camera Operator, you must be reliable and a great storyteller because you are responsible for capturing those shots. If there is only room for one when filming a story, it’s the camera operator that goes up in the plane, down in the water pipe, up on the chairlift, sliding in the toboggan and at the same time, coming back with awesome footage and sound every time, no matter what the shooting conditions. You have to be ready for anything because much of the time, there’s only one opportunity to get a shot.
If you are a television Cameraman, hours will generally be long but similar each day with repetitive shots, however your employment is much more stable and regular. If you do your work on film sets, your hours will be irregular and very long, and you will be unemployed after the filming is complete until you are hired for your next job which is something you need to plan for.
All in all, being a Camera Operator is a fun and exciting job where you will be involved in the intricate details of the movie or TV production and get to work with a variety of people including celebrities and actors.
