Becoming a steadicam operator requires physical fitness, experience in the film industry, and hands-on experience with the equipment. The operator must learn to handle the equipment and shoot without adding instability to the shot. Experience and proven results are essential.
Before making the decision to become a steadicam operator, make sure you meet all the necessary physical requirements for this job. Start by learning about the equipment and its features through a training school or by talking to some people in the industry. After that, gain some hands-on experience working with cameras on your own, and then with a film production team or an advertising agency that specializes in filming commercials. Experience and proven results are what matter in the film industry.
The basic design of the steadicam rig provides an isolated space within which the camera can operate without issue. Probably the most important factor in becoming a steadicam operator is learning how to handle the equipment and how to shoot without adding any additional instability to the shot. This requires the operator to actually provide steadicam assistance to help maintain this isolated space created and maintained by the specially designed platform. The only way to develop this level of acuity is through experience operating the equipment and evaluating the resulting footage.
Although the Steadicam unit is designed to distribute the total weight of the unit, typically between 13.6 to 22.7 kg, the unit still adds weight to the body. The load may feel light in the first few minutes of operation, but working several hours on your feet with the steadicam unit attached can present a physical challenge for some. The load is distributed in front of the operator’s body and can be challenging for those without a good sense of balance. General physical fitness, lack of back problems and a high level of physical endurance are the most basic physical requirements needed to successfully operate a steadicam.
Previous experience of working in the motion picture or film industry is the best way to get started in becoming a steadicam operator. Since you will technically be working as a camera operator, some experience or basic training is required in setting up a shot, framing a shot, panning smoothly, pulling focus, following a subject, and zooming in or out decisively. The only way to learn how to do all these things well during a set is to have the experience of actually doing them. If you’re new to the industry, start by getting a basic camera and shooting your own movies, work on a local television show or alongside a production team shooting a commercial. No amount of training or book learning will replace actual experience.
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