What You Need to Know About Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator
Job Description & Duties 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.
Life As a Video Camera Operator
- View films to resolve problems of exposure control, subject and camera movement, changes in subject distance, and related variables.
- 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.
- Write new scripts for broadcasts.
- Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
- Prepare slates that describe the scenes being filmed.
- Set up cameras, optical printers, and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Video Camera Operator?
When polled, Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Related Job Titles
- News Camera Person
- Motion Designer
- Commercial Producer
- Operations Technician
- Video Producer
What Kind of Video Camera Operator Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 25,100 jobs for Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator in 2016 (in the United States). 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. There will be an estimated 2,600 positions for Video Camera Operator per year.
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.
Salary for a Video Camera Operator
The salary for Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators ranges between about $25,790 and $102,470 a year.
Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators who work in District of Columbia, New York, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators 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 to Become a Video Camera Operator
Are there Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Video Camera Operator?
Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators Sector
Below are examples of industries where Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators work:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
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