Camera operators record moving images for films, TV productions, news, commercials, videos and corporate productions.

They operate film, videotape and digital video cameras, usually working under the instructions of a director or director of photography. They may be part of a large camera team, or they may be the only camera operator. The work involves:

• setting up and positioning the camera equipment
• studying scripts to help them plan shots
• planning and rehearsing shots
• choosing the most suitable lenses and camera angles
• finding ways to overcome practical or technical problems such as lighting
• working closely with other technical departments such as lighting and sound.

Camera operators usually specialise in either film or television work, as the equipment and techniques are different in each sector.

Some job roles are mainly found in film, such as:

• first assistant camera person (focus puller) - judges and adjusts the focus on each shot
• second assistant camera (clapper loader) – helps the camera operator to move the camera, loads and unloads film, counts the takes and gives general support to the camera crew
• grip - builds and operates the cranes, platforms or other equipment needed to move a camera during shooting.

Television work can be single camera (usually used for documentaries and news) or multi-camera operation (usually in drama or entertainment). During studio recording, camera operators usually follow a camera script and take cues from the director or floor manager. On live outside broadcasts or news work, camera operators may have more control over the shots they take.

See Skillset’s website for more detailed information about the different roles in TV and film camera work – see Further Information.

Hours and Environment

Hours can be unpredictable and often include shifts, weekends, evenings or nights, depending on the needs of the production. Camera operators may also need to work long hours at short notice, particularly for news programmes.

Depending on the job, they may work anywhere from warm indoor studios to outside in all weather conditions. They may have to work at heights on cranes or scaffolding. Location work be anywhere in the UK or overseas. Some news camera jobs may involve working under difficult or dangerous conditions such as riots or war zones.

Camera operators are often expected to provide their own kit, especially digital video camera equipment.

Skills and Interests

To be a camera operator, you should:

• have a good theoretical and technical knowledge of camera equipment
• be interested in photography, film and video
• have good communication and people skills
• be creative and have good practical skills
• have good eyesight and colour vision
• stay calm when working under pressure
• work well as part of a team
• be patient and willing to work long or flexible hours
• have good levels of stamina, for holding and moving camera equipment.

You will also usually need a driving licence.

Entry

There are no set qualifications for becoming a camera operator, although most camera operators start by gaining technical knowledge from a college or university course. You will also find it useful to have photography and electronics skills.

Relevant courses include:

• City & Guilds Diploma in Media Techniques (7501)
• BTEC/SQA National Certificate or Diploma in Media (Moving Image)
• Higher National Certificate/Diploma (HNC/HND) in Media (Moving Image)
• degrees in media production, media technology or photography.

You will usually need four or five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) to enter a National Certificate/Diploma course. For a HNC/HND you will also usually need at least one A level/two Highers, or equivalent qualifications, and for a degree you will need two A levels/three Highers or equivalent. An Access to Higher Education qualification may be accepted for entry to certain courses. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

These courses will give you useful technical skills, but they do not guarantee work. You must also gain practical experience, make contacts in the industry, and build up a showreel of your best work to show to employers. You can gain relevant experience from:

• student film productions
• community film projects
• working for a camera equipment hire company
• work experience as a runner or camera assistant on film or TV productions.

Contact Skillset Careers for advice about finding work experience in the film and TV industry.

You may be able to enter through a new entrants’ training scheme – see the Training section for more details.

Training

You will usually begin as a camera trainee or assistant, learning on the job from more experienced camera operators.

Film and Television Freelance Training (FT2) runs a two-year apprenticeship-style training programme for new entrants to the technical and production areas of the film and TV industry. They offer New Entrant Technical Training Schemes for camera assistants and grips. Places are strictly limited and the selection process is tough. You do not need any specific qualifications, but you must:

• be aged 18 or over
• have a driving licence
• be prepared to live in London during training
• be able to prove that you are committed to finding work experience in the film and TV industry.

See FT2’s website for more details.

Major broadcasters and regional screen agencies such as Scottish Screen and Cyfle also sometimes run their own new entrant training schemes. See Skillset’s website or contact the Skillset Careers helpline for more information.

If you are already working as a grip or crane technician, you may be able to take one of the following NVQs:

• NVQ Level 2 Crane Technician for Film and Television
• NVQ Levels 2 and 3 Grip for the Audiovisual Industries.

See Skillset’s website for more details.

You should keep up to date with new equipment and technology throughout your career. Employers may organise some training, but as a freelance worker you are usually responsible for your own training and development. Skillset provides a database of media courses including short courses for new and experienced camera operators. They can also advise freelances on how to fund their training. See Skillset’s website for more details.

The Guild of British Camera Technicians and the British Kinematograph Sound and Television Society (BKSTS) also offer a range of short courses and seminars to their members. See Further Information section for contact details.

Opportunities

In film, a camera assistant can progress to clapper loader, then focus puller and camera operator. After many years' experience in the film industry they could become a director of photography or cinematographer. TV camera assistants can move on to become camera operators and then camera supervisors or senior camerapeople.

Some larger TV broadcasters employ permanent staff, but most camera operators are work freelance on fixed-term or short contracts. Competition for jobs is strong. About two thirds of UK film and TV production is based in London or the south of England. 

Digital technology is bringing some changes to traditional job roles. For example, the use of smaller digital video cameras has led to a reduction in jobs for television camera assistants. Multi-skilling is also becoming more important, such as in news or factual programmes where camera operators might also record sound for the broadcast.

Annual Income

Freelance rates within the media vary widely and may be calculated on a daily or weekly basis. Fees can be negotiated individually or from guidelines provided by the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU). Rates will vary depending on experience, the type of production and the budget available.

Further information

373-377 Clapham Road London SW9 9BT

249 West George Street
Glasgow
G2 4QE
Tel: 0141 302 1700 Moving Image Society
Pinewood Studios
Iver Heath
Bucks
SL0 0NH Gronant
Penrallt Isaf
Caernarfon
Gwynedd
LL55 1NS
Tel: 01286 671000

c/o Panavision UK
Metropolitan Centre
Bristol Road
Greenford
Middlesex
UB6 8GD
Tel: 020 8813 1999

4th Floor
Warwick House
Warwick Street
London
W1R 5RA Prospect House
80-110 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1HB Tel: 08080 300 900 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Tel: 0808 100 8094 for Scotland