Life As a Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator
Career Description Operate television, video, or motion picture camera to record images or scenes for various purposes, such as TV broadcasts, advertising, video production, or motion pictures.
What Do Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators Do On a Daily Basis?
- Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.
- Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.
- 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.
- 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.
- Label and record contents of exposed film and note details on report forms.
- Receive raw film stock and maintain film inventories.
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Skills Needed to be a Video Camera Operator
These are the skills Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators say are the most useful in their careers:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Types of Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator
- Live Truck Operator
- Studio Technician
- Motion Picture Photographer
- Video Coordinator
- Cameraman
What Kind of Video Camera Operator Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 25,100 jobs for Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,800 new jobs for Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator by 2026. The BLS estimates 2,600 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Video Camera Operator are Georgia, Utah, and New Mexico. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators Make A Lot Of Money?
The typical yearly salary for Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators is somewhere between $25,790 and $102,470.
Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators who work in District of Columbia, New York, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.
How much do Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $44,610 |
| Arizona | $61,580 |
| Arkansas | $57,420 |
| California | $77,540 |
| Colorado | $55,220 |
| Connecticut | $48,560 |
| District of Columbia | $77,770 |
| Florida | $50,600 |
| Georgia | $59,110 |
| Hawaii | $59,780 |
| Illinois | $45,340 |
| Indiana | $40,610 |
| Iowa | $36,580 |
| Kansas | $42,940 |
| Kentucky | $38,670 |
| Louisiana | $47,800 |
| Maine | $39,790 |
| Maryland | $57,780 |
| Massachusetts | $52,380 |
| Michigan | $58,090 |
| Minnesota | $45,600 |
| Missouri | $50,150 |
| Montana | $32,940 |
| Nevada | $49,770 |
| New Hampshire | $32,020 |
| New Jersey | $62,690 |
| New York | $86,430 |
| North Carolina | $57,390 |
| North Dakota | $42,690 |
| Ohio | $55,600 |
| Oklahoma | $46,550 |
| Oregon | $68,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,350 |
| South Carolina | $48,230 |
| South Dakota | $30,480 |
| Tennessee | $51,140 |
| Texas | $57,360 |
| Utah | $50,810 |
| Vermont | $40,610 |
| Virginia | $55,410 |
| Washington | $65,400 |
| West Virginia | $46,700 |
| Wisconsin | $42,110 |
What Tools do Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Email software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
- YouTube
- Google Drive
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud
- Adobe Systems Adobe Premiere Pro
- Adobe Systems Adobe AfterEffects
How do I Become a Video Camera Operator?
Education needed to be a Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators Work?
Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators work in the following industries:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
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