Careers Profile - Television/Film Camera Operator

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The Work
As a camera operator, it would be your job to record moving images for film, television, commercials, music videos or corporate productions. You would operate film, videotape or digital video cameras, usually under instructions from the Director or Director of Photography.

Your work could involve:

setting up and positioning camera equipment
planning and rehearsing shots
following a camera script and taking cues from the director or floor manager (in TV studio recording)
choosing the most suitable lenses and camera angles
solving practical or technical problems such as lighting
working closely with other technical departments such as lighting and sound.
You may be the only camera operator and use a portable single camera, or you could be part of a TV studio camera team. On feature films and TV drama productions you may be part of a large crew with a specific role, such as:

second assistant camera (clapper loader) – loading and unloading film, counting the takes and helping the camera crew
first assistant camera (focus puller) – judging and adjusting the focus on each shot
grip – building and operating any cranes and pulleys needed to move a camera during shooting.
You would usually specialise in either film or television work, as the equipment and techniques can differ, however with the advent of digital cameras and HD technology, camera professionals are finding it easier to work across all sectors ensuring more stable employment.

Hours
Your hours could often be long and irregular, and may include shift work and nights depending on the production. You may also need to be flexible and work at short notice, particularly for news programmes.

You could work anywhere from studios to outside locations in all weather conditions. You may have to work at heights on cranes or scaffolding.

Location work could be anywhere in the UK or overseas. News camera jobs may involve working under difficult or dangerous conditions such as riots or war zones.

Income
Freelance camera operators are usually paid a fee for each contract.

Rates can vary widely. You could negotiate fees based on the type of production and your own track record. Contact BECTU for current pay guidelines.

Entry Requirements
Employers will be more interested in your technical skills and practical experience than your formal qualifications. In practice, many camera operators take a college or university course to develop the necessary skills before looking for work. Relevant courses include:

City & Guilds Diploma (7501) in Media Techniques (Level 1, 2 and 3 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Media Techniques (7601) from September 2010)
BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in Media Production
BTEC HNC/HND in Media (Moving Image)
degrees in media production, media technology or photography
trainee courses run by the GBCT (camera guild).
The most useful courses offer practical experience and may include work placements. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

As well as gaining technical skills, you should also build practical experience and make contacts in the industry. Courses can help you with this, but you can also get useful experience from:

getting involved in community film projects
working for a camera equipment hire company
finding work experience as a runner or camera assistant with a production company.
You may also find it useful to have skills in stills photography and basic electronics.

You should also make a 'showreel' DVD of productions that you have worked on, to demonstrate your skills to employers when you are looking for work.

Training and Development
You will usually start as a camera trainee or assistant and learn on the job from experienced camera operators.

At the start of your career you may be able to get some training as part of an apprenticeship-style new entrant scheme, such as programmes occasionally run by broadcasters, regional screen agencies and media training organisations. Contact the Skillset Craft and Technical Skills Academy for information on publicly funded schemes.

As a grip or crane technician, you could take one of the following work-based qualifications:

NVQ Level 2 Crane Technician for Film and Television
NVQ levels 2 and 3 Grip for the Audiovisual Industries.
See Skillset’s website for details.

You should keep up to date with new equipment and technology throughout your career. Employers may organise some training, but as a freelance worker you are usually responsible for your own development. Visit Skillset's website to search for relevant industry approved courses, and for advice about how to fund your training as a freelance.

The Guild of British Camera Technicians and BKSTS – The Moving Image Society both offer a range of short courses and seminars to their members. See websites for details.

Skills and Knowledge


good practical skills and knowledge of camera equipment
an interest in photography, film and video
good communication and 'people skills'
the ability to carry out instructions accurately and with attention to detail
good colour vision
calmness under pressure
the ability to work as part of a team
patience and concentration
good levels of stamina, for holding and moving camera equipment and working long hours.
Opportunities
You would usually work on freelance contracts, although larger TV broadcasters employ some permanent staff.

About two thirds of UK film and TV production is based in London and the south of England. You will increase your chances of a successful career if you are prepared to go anywhere in the UK or overseas to work.

Some jobs are advertised in the national press, trade press and industry websites. However, it is more common to get work by networking, contacting companies yourself, and using a crew directory or diary service to market yourself. Competition for work is strong.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and contacts (links open in new window):

Mandy.com
Broadcast Freelancer
BBC Recruitment
ITV Jobs
Grapevine Jobs
Production and Casting Report
The Knowledge (contacts directory)
Kays Production Guide (contacts directory)

In film, you could progress from camera assistant to clapper loader, then focus puller and camera operator (and eventually director of photography, with extensive experience). In TV, you could progress from camera assistant to camera operator and camera supervisor.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

More Information

Skillset
Focus Point
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
www.skillset.org


Skillset Careers
Tel: 08080 300 900 (England and Northern Ireland)
Tel: 0845 850 2502(Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
www.skillset.org/careers


Skillset Craft and Technical Skills Academy
Easling, Hammersmith and West London College
The Green
Ealing
London
W5 5EW

info@craftandtech.org
http://www.craftandtech.org/


Guild of Television Cameramen
www.gtc.org.uk


Guild of British Camera Technicians
c/o Panavision UK
Metropolitan Centre
Bristol Road
Greenford
Middlesex
UB6 8GD
Tel: 020 8813 1999
www.gbct.org


BKSTS - The Moving Image Society
http://www.imagetechnology.info
www.bksts.com


Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU)
373-377 Clapham Road
London
SW9 9BT
Tel: 0845 850 2502
www.bectu.org.uk

(Source: https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/PlanningYourCareer/JobProfiles/JobProfile0519/Pages/default.aspx)