2 answers
MaKaylah
Student
Selma, Alabama
2
Questions
Asked
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What is it like being a camera operator?
Hello! I am very interested in pursuing a career as a camera operator! I have some experience working with robotic cameras at church as a volunteer, and believe this is something I would enjoy doing as an actual job. What are some things I should know if I want to pursue this industry? #film,#cameras,#television,#broadcast
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2 answers
Leland Chee
Creative Executive
13
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Leland’s Answer
In the 90s, I briefly worked as a studio camera operator for a local news station. Now those cameras are operated remotely. Looking at job postings on Indeed, you can still find openings for camera operators for news and sports programming. The key is getting hands-on experience with different types of professional equipment either through school or by volunteering. If you have a public access station in your area, check with them to see if there are opportunities to volunteer. That's where I got my hands-on experience with studio cameras.
Note that a videographer is a different type of job working with video cameras. While a studio camera operator typically has a director in their ear telling them what shots to get, a videographer goes out on location and shoots sometimes with or without direction. They are responsible for bringing all the gear they need for the shoot. Stringers are freelance videographers who typically use their own equipment to shoot material which they sell to news outlets. News outlets may hire stringers to shoot specific material at a location when their staff videographers aren't available.
In the movie industry, the person with the camera is typically referred to as a cinematographer or a director of photography (DP for short). They may shoot on film or digitally. Shooting on a film might require an entire team dedicated to lighting. You can get experience working on films either through school or by volunteering. Look to see if there are any media or cinema organizations in your area that match up volunteers for independent projects.
In the meantime, if you have a phone camera, shoot and shoot often. If you aren't able to take classes, check out videos or books to learns some of the basics on composing a shot and lighting.
My final word of advice is to ask to people for help and share your career goals. Someone at the church arranged the setup of the robotic cameras you are using. Ask them about their experience and to see if they have recommendations for breaking into the field.
Note that a videographer is a different type of job working with video cameras. While a studio camera operator typically has a director in their ear telling them what shots to get, a videographer goes out on location and shoots sometimes with or without direction. They are responsible for bringing all the gear they need for the shoot. Stringers are freelance videographers who typically use their own equipment to shoot material which they sell to news outlets. News outlets may hire stringers to shoot specific material at a location when their staff videographers aren't available.
In the movie industry, the person with the camera is typically referred to as a cinematographer or a director of photography (DP for short). They may shoot on film or digitally. Shooting on a film might require an entire team dedicated to lighting. You can get experience working on films either through school or by volunteering. Look to see if there are any media or cinema organizations in your area that match up volunteers for independent projects.
In the meantime, if you have a phone camera, shoot and shoot often. If you aren't able to take classes, check out videos or books to learns some of the basics on composing a shot and lighting.
My final word of advice is to ask to people for help and share your career goals. Someone at the church arranged the setup of the robotic cameras you are using. Ask them about their experience and to see if they have recommendations for breaking into the field.
Kathy Chan
Videographer/Photographer
23
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Kathy’s Answer
Hi MaKaylah,
I'm happy (and super excited) to hear about your interest in cameras and camera operation! One of the biggest things I will note is that the field itself can be *very* technical, you may even find yourself doing some math and science during the process as well, amongst other things, but do not let this discourage you. All foundational skills and techniques of camera operation, as you may already have experience with, will build upon itself - if you know general things like: ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, Frame Rate and more - you essentially know it for all cameras (that's the best thing about the field).
In my experience, it was helpful for me to get my hands on more and more cameras - renting them, borrowing them, or even looking up YouTube videos on how they work will be very beneficial for you. As a camera operator, there will be many occasions where you find yourself hired to operate on a camera you haven't even heard of before! But as stated before, if you learn the basic functions of operating a camera, you will have essentially learned how to operate on them all.
I highly suggest reaching out to more professionals in the field to ask about their experiences/what they've learned along the way, their favorite cameras to use (and good recommendations for cameras to start out with), and even ask to take a look into their camera gear! Look into Youtube videos, online resources, or Masterclasses to learn more about the foundational skills of camera operation (stated above) and ultimately challenge yourself to delve even deeper into researching more "complex" skills in like operating a Steadicam, a Gimbal or even a Jib and their use-cases! You'll find these to be not only very motivating, but very exciting and interesting as you make your way in the field of camera operation.
Your experience as a volunteer is an EXCELLENT way to get into the field, and I will highly suggest you reaching out to local film houses, equipment rental spaces, local theaters and more to learn more about any volunteer/internship opportunities they may have that involve equipment handling!
Good luck!
I'm happy (and super excited) to hear about your interest in cameras and camera operation! One of the biggest things I will note is that the field itself can be *very* technical, you may even find yourself doing some math and science during the process as well, amongst other things, but do not let this discourage you. All foundational skills and techniques of camera operation, as you may already have experience with, will build upon itself - if you know general things like: ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, Frame Rate and more - you essentially know it for all cameras (that's the best thing about the field).
In my experience, it was helpful for me to get my hands on more and more cameras - renting them, borrowing them, or even looking up YouTube videos on how they work will be very beneficial for you. As a camera operator, there will be many occasions where you find yourself hired to operate on a camera you haven't even heard of before! But as stated before, if you learn the basic functions of operating a camera, you will have essentially learned how to operate on them all.
I highly suggest reaching out to more professionals in the field to ask about their experiences/what they've learned along the way, their favorite cameras to use (and good recommendations for cameras to start out with), and even ask to take a look into their camera gear! Look into Youtube videos, online resources, or Masterclasses to learn more about the foundational skills of camera operation (stated above) and ultimately challenge yourself to delve even deeper into researching more "complex" skills in like operating a Steadicam, a Gimbal or even a Jib and their use-cases! You'll find these to be not only very motivating, but very exciting and interesting as you make your way in the field of camera operation.
Your experience as a volunteer is an EXCELLENT way to get into the field, and I will highly suggest you reaching out to local film houses, equipment rental spaces, local theaters and more to learn more about any volunteer/internship opportunities they may have that involve equipment handling!
Good luck!