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What is a Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operator?
Example of Video Camera Operator Job 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?
- Operate zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
- Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.
- Read charts and compute ratios to determine variables such as lighting, shutter angles, filter factors, and camera distances.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prepare slates that describe the scenes being filmed.
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Skills Needed to be 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.
Types of Video Camera Operator Jobs
- Video Camera Operator
- Television Cameraman
- Photography Director
- Video Photographer
- Television News Photographer
Is There Going to be Demand for Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera Operators?
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. 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.
Video Camera Operator Average Salary
The average yearly salary of a Video Camera Operator ranges 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.
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 & Technology 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?
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