Like photographers, video camera operators use pictures - in this case moving pictures - to tell a story for news, commercial and entertainment purposes. Skill in lighting, spacing and editing techniques enhance those images. There are many different types of filming to specialize in.
While some of the camera work involved for creating news is done in the studio, the majority of it is on location. Locations can take place anywhere from press conferences to natural disasters or even wars and places of political upheaval. A news camera operator typically starts out with a small, local station and moves up in market size or possibly moves to national or international news organizations. News camera operators may need to edit footage on the spot during live coverage.
Videographers operate and film cameras for private events like weddings, birthdays or company meetings. Much like a wedding photographer, the videographer takes posed and candid shots throughout the wedding and provides edited versions of the tapes to people who want them. Videographers may also be employed to assist with camera work for documentaries or independent film. There is also a niche of videographer that seeks out breaking news stories and tries to capture the action as it�s taking place. Those tapes may be sold to various news organizations for airing.
Entertainment camera operators are involved with filming movies, television programs, commercials and music videos. Camera operators who film television programs, commercials and music videos typically film from a studio or a set in a fixed location. Movie camera operators tend to film on location, though some filming of movies is done on set. There is a unique set of jargon in this business. A camera operator who only works in movies is known as a cinematographer and those who carry a camera with them are known as steadicam operators. Additional video camera subsets in the entertainment industry are people who specialize in filming animation or special effects sequences.
Twenty percent of camera operators are self employed. They may freelance to local, national or international news agencies, sports channels or entertainment programs. Self employed camera operators must market themselves and perform business administration tasks in addition to their filming duties.
Camera operators enjoy a varied and interesting career. Learning the technical and artistic skills to do the job well can create many opportunities in this highly competitive field.
