Camera Operator

”I always show up early to make sure my camera is ready to go and to see if there are any problems with it that wouldn’t hold up in production... Normally I show up at 8:30, look through my camera and make sure everything is cool. We start to rehearse. On “Shark Tank” we have to get in five pitches before lunch. That pitch could go 15 minutes, or it could go an hour. The minute they walk out, the art department sets up for the next pitch. 15 minutes later the next person comes out and, boom, ext pitch, it’s over. They go out, next pitch comes in, it’s fine. We get through five, have an hour lunch, come back, and go through four or five more before the end of the day. You don’t know how long you’re going to be there.

End of the day is usually around 5:30 p.m. The other day we got through 10 pitches and they said, ‘well Disney is coming in to do some stuff for a couple of Disney shows, so we’re going to be here another three hours’ (even though we just shot ten pitches and have already been there for nine hours). You have no choice but to bring your A-game and keep doing it. We shot the stuff, and after coming in at 8:30 in the morning we left by 10 at night. Turn around the next morning, back to work at 8:30.
It’s like baseball; you show up and it could be eight innings or it could be 13 innings. It really depends, you may tape two ‘Ellens’ in a day.  Or you could be there at 8:30 a.m. and not shoot until 11:00 p.m.. You just never know.” - Philip Kerns

Working Schedule

• Each type of camera operator may experience different working conditions. Most work full-time but hours can vary greatly, depending on what time filming needs to occur. Overtime is expected on movie sets where 12 hour days are not uncommon.

Typical Duties

• Studio Camera Operators:
  • Working with fixed position cameras to film sets or stages
  • Setting up or tearing down equipment, as needed
  • Following director instructions for camera angles and subjects
  • Staying alert for impromptu action or unexpected occurrences
• Electronic News Gathering Camera Operators:
  • Collaborating with roving reporters to cover live news
  • Staying vigilant for action or hazards such as storms, criminal activity, motor vehicles, volatile bystanders, or even military conflicts depending on the stories being covered
  • Filming additional shots for later editing, as needed
  • Ensuring that equipment is kept free from damage due to inclement weather 
• Cinematographers:
  • Serving as the director of photography, filming movies for studios; working with directors and other crew members
  • Utilizing a wide range of high-tech camera equipment, often set on cranes or rigs
  • Using various techniques to capture animation, special effects, stunts, or to produce in-camera visual effects
  • Potentially working with setup crews, depending on the size of the production
  • Traveling to and from studio lots or on-location film sets
• Downloading digitally captured footage for sharing with editing teams
• Collaborating with on-set lighting and sound crews
• Assisting directors with realizing their visions utilizing suitable equipment and lenses; suggesting shooting styles, angles, or lighting
• Enduring austere conditions, including inclement weather or dangerous situations
• Composing shots using various camera lenses and camera settings
• Using stationary, track, or crane mounts
• Letting actors know which cameras are shooting
• Reviewing written or visual guidance for desired shots; determining necessary equipment, setups, distances, angles, and processes to achieve results

Additional Responsibilities

• Working out technical difficulties and finding creative workarounds
• Operating equipment kept inside news vehicles 
• Performing freelance videography work, filming private events for individuals or companies
• Guiding assistants on larger productions

Soft Skills

• Ability to work with and guide teams
• Attention to detail
• Communication skills
• Composure under pressure
• Cooperative
• Creativity
• Detail-oriented
• Hand-eye coordination
• Keen organizational skills
• Normal near and far vision
• Normal color vision
• Multitasking
• Persistence
• Physical stamina
• Planning and project management
• Resourcefulness 
• Skills for coordinating and instructing activities
• Sound judgment and decision-making
• Time management 
• Visualization skills

Technical Skills

• General familiarity with computers (PC or Apple)
• Familiarity with a wide range of camera types and associated equipment, including automated film processors, camera harnesses and lens, tripods, distortion meters, electronic viewfinders, frequency analyzers, lightmeters, oscilloscopes, radio frequency transmitters, signal generators, and lighting systems
• Knowledge of newer technologies such as IMAX, 3D, and 8K
• Ability to use common hand tools for setup or breakdown
• Safe use of stationary, track, or crane mounts

• Cable or video streaming companies    
• Government agencies
• Large corporations
• Motion picture studios
• Nonprofits
• Self-employed workers 
• Television broadcast networks

Camera Operators have a lot riding on their shoulders, sometimes literally if they’re lugging around an electronic news gathering camera! Gear can be extremely expensive, ranging into six digit figures in some cases. But the shots themselves may be priceless, so operators have to keep their eyes peeled and be ready to catch lightning in a bottle! 
 
Unexpected moments on pre-recorded talk shows. Crucial breaking news stories. One-time only, multimillion dollar special effects scenes. There’s no end to the moments that Camera Operators must be able to film in a way that is clear, poignant, and ready to be edited into a usable cut. The pressure is on, hour after hour, day by day! For film productions, it might even last for months, away from home while shooting at locations around the world. 
 
Stamina and resilience are definitely required. Physical work conditions vary greatly, with news and movie operators particularly exposed to sometimes less than pleasant conditions. A news story might involve covering a hurricane or a military combat zone. A movie script might require filming in a hot desert, out on the open water, or at a crowded urban location where real people and vehicles are waiting for a scene to be finished so they can get by. Time is money, and operators are expected to work efficiently, get their scenes recorded, and move on to the next item on the checklist. When things go wrong, they might have to stay until the work is done versus breaking down for the night then going back the next day. 

Digital streaming has revolutionized how audiences view content and altered how creators produce it. Demand for new movies and shows has risen, requiring more Camera Operators to step up. Employment is projected to rise by 18% in the coming decade, which is far greater than average. That said, operators in some industries, such as network broadcasting, may see a bit of a decrease as technology replaces some manual aspects of the job. In cases such as e-sporting events, digital camera crews may operate cameras remotely from behind their computer screens. 

Digital cameras have been around for a while now, but are still impacting the industry in exciting new ways. Resolution continues to improve, to the point that the human eye can no longer make the distinction, such as 8K. De-aging special effects are also hot now, too. These require new cameras like the ARRI ALEXA Mini, special rigs, and innovative techniques to capture multiple angles of actors that are fed into CGI software to make them appear younger (or older, sometimes!). Meanwhile, IMAX and 3D camera technology continue to evolve and be used in unique ways. 

Camera Operators must have a great eye for composition and enough understanding of psychology to know what makes a compelling scene and a powerful performance. Odds are they enjoyed drawing, photography, and watching plenty of movies growing up! They may have also been into creating YouTube videos with smartphones or digital cameras, maybe even saving up to buy a nice Digital SLR costing hundreds of dollars or more. It takes real passion to work as a Camera Operator, and many grew up with a strong desire to break into the field, perhaps inspired by favorite movies, events, or personalities.