Career Details
Career Details
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Career Details
27-4031.00 - Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
27-4031.00 - Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.
Key Facts
Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
25,400
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
25,900
Estimate
Change in Employment
500.0
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+2%
Estimate
Tasks
Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
- Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
- Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors.
- Operate zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
- Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
- Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
- Confer with directors, sound and lighting technicians, electricians, and other crew members to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, desired effects, camera movements, and lighting requirements.
- Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.
- Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.
- Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition.
Supplemental
- Instruct camera operators regarding camera setups, angles, distances, movement, and variables and cues for starting and stopping filming.
- Label and record contents of exposed film and note details on report forms.
- Read charts and compute ratios to determine variables such as lighting, shutter angles, filter factors, and camera distances.
- Set up cameras, optical printers, and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects.
- View films to resolve problems of exposure control, subject and camera movement, changes in subject distance, and related variables.
- Reload camera magazines with fresh raw film stock.
- Read and analyze work orders and specifications to determine locations of subject material, work procedures, sequences of operations, and machine setups.
- Prepare slates that describe the scenes being filmed.
- Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.
- Assemble studio sets and select and arrange cameras, film stock, audio, or lighting equipment to be used during filming.
- Stay current with new technologies in the field by reading trade magazines.
- Set up and operate electric news gathering (ENG) microwave vehicles to gather and edit raw footage on location to send to television affiliates for broadcast.
- Direct studio productions.
- Design graphics for studio productions.
- Write new scripts for broadcasts.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
Knowledge
The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.
Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
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