Summary for:
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion PictureDescription:
Operate television, video, or motion picture camera to photograph images or scenes for various purposes, such as TV broadcasts, advertising, video production, or motion pictures.Sample of reported job titles:
Sample of reported job titles: Camera Operator, Photojournalist, Television News Photographer, Production Assistant, Videographer, Master Control Operator (MCO), Cameraman, Production Technician, Studio Camera Operator, Floor Director
Tasks | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Activites | Experience | Example | Education | Work Style | Work Values | Related Jobs | Wage | Employment | Expected Growth | Expected Need
Tasks:
- 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.
- Test, clean, and maintain equipment to ensure proper working condition.
- Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
- Gather and edit raw footage on location to send to television affiliates for broadcast, using electronic news-gathering or film-production equipment.
- 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.
- Instruct camera operators regarding camera setups, angles, distances, movement, and variables and cues for starting and stopping filming.
Knowledge:
| Problem Sensitivity ó The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness ó The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. |
| Near Vision ó The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
| Oral Comprehension ó The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
| Deductive Reasoning ó The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
| Far Vision ó The ability to see details at a distance. |
| Speech Recognition ó The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
| Visualization ó The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. |
| Control Precision ó The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. |
| Finger Dexterity ó The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. |
Skills:
| Thinking Creatively ó Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Getting Information ó Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates ó Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| identifying Objects, Actions, and Events ó identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge ó Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Performing for or Working Directly with the Public ó Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
| Making Decisions and Solving Problems ó Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Communicating with Persons Outside Organization ó Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships ó Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Handling and Moving Objects ó Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
Abilities:
| Face-to-Face Discussions ó How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled ó How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
| Contact With Others ó How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
| Work With Work Group or Team ó How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? |
| Time Pressure ó How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
| Freedom to Make Decisions ó How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate ó How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
| Structured versus Unstructured Work ó To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
| Telephone ó How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls ó How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? |
Work Activities:
| Title | Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
| Overall Experience | Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. |
| Job Training | Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. |
| Job Zone Examples | These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents. |
| SVP Range | (6.0 to < 7.0) |
| Education | Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree. |
Work Style:
| 27-1027.00 | Set and Exhibit Designers |
| 27-4021.00 | Photographers |
| 27-4032.00 | Film and Video Editors |
| 39-3092.00 | Costume Attendants |
| 39-5091.00 | Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance |
| 51-9071.07 | Precious Metal Workers |
| 51-9194.00 | Etchers and Engravers |
Average (7% to 13%)