Camera operators have a complex job with different roles and skill levels, requiring years of training and experience. They work in TV, film, and video production, with some jobs requiring post-secondary education. Salaries are competitive, and staying current with industry trends is essential.
At first glance, the job of being a camera operator seems relatively simple if you think of it only in terms of a person pointing a camera at a subject and filming. Instead, the field of filmography is a rich and complex one, where there are many different roles for camera operators across a wide range of skill levels. Likewise, the technology involved can be very involved and sometimes requires years of training and on-the-job experience.
A camera operator can work in television, films, for other types of video production companies or independently. Some of the jobs require post-secondary education or several years of previous camera work, while some hire and train with no previous experience. The latter situation is rare, however, as camera operator work is competitive with many people applying for relatively few jobs. For the most part, contractors are people with more experience on the job, who are more skilled than simply filming, such as editing and using computers and video software. These jobs can also require travel and sometimes require the operator to work in dangerous circumstances. A camera operator must be cautious when traveling to hostile parts of the world, working around dangerous animals or filming people who do not want to be filmed.
The types of cameras used by an operator differ depending on the medium they are filming in. A camera operator shooting movies, also known as a cinematographer, must use several different types of cameras depending on the shot to be captured. He or she should also know all the technical aspects of how to move the camera in relation to the subject, for example using cranes or conveyors. It is also essential to be able to communicate clearly with other people working on the film, giving, receiving and carrying out orders. The same applies to those working in television, and creativity is also needed in both types of media.
Independent camera operators are often hired to film events such as weddings, parties, conferences, instructional videos and more. These videographers can work alone or with a group of others, and they must also be responsible for all business aspects such as promoting their business, receiving payments, protecting their copyrights and keeping track of finances. Some might also say that anyone who films anything that is posted on the Internet can be considered an independent videographer.
Salaries for camera operator positions are competitive with most other job markets, and job growth in the sector is expected to continue to increase. Many secondary and post-secondary schools offer training in different types of camera work for those looking to learn how to be a camera operator. Additionally, due to rapid change and growing technology, it is essential for camera operators to stay current on industry trends and learn new skills as they emerge. This is especially true of digital film work and editing that may use computers and software to shoot and edit.
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