This document outlines Christopher Smith's career exploration into becoming a camera operator. It provides details on the job such as typical responsibilities of recording images for TV, film, and events. The salary range is $34,829-$105,879 annually. While no formal education is required, strength and endurance are important skills as is a willingness to learn. The job outlook depends on personal passion and there are many related and supporting roles in the film industry. Smith interviewed a USC film graduate who discussed breaking in as a production assistant, the creative and uncertain nature of the work, and potential to impact the world through storytelling.
4. JOB DESCRIPTION AND A TYPICAL DAY
A CAMERA OPERATOR IS SOMEONE WHO RECORDS
IMAGES THAT ENTERTAIN OR INFORM AN
AUDIENCE. CAMERA OPERATORS CAPTURE A WIDE
RANGE OF MATERIAL FOR TV SHOWS, MOTION
PICTURES, MUSIC VIDEOS, DOCUMENTARIES, NEWS,
AND SPORTING EVENTS. MOST WORK IN THE
MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY OR TELEVISION
6. NECESSARY SKILLS
THE GREAT THING ABOUT THIS JOB, IS THAT THE
ONLY SKILL NEEDED TO GET STARTED, IS THE
DESIRE TO WANT TO OPERATE A CAMERA.
HOWEVER, STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE TRAINING
AT A GYM IS RECOMMENDED, ESPECIALLY WHEN
HAND HOLDING BIGGER CAMERAS, OR OPERATING
A STEADY CAM HARNESS. EDUCATION IS ALWAYS
7. JOB OUTLOOK
DEPENDING ON IF YOU LIKE THE INDUSTRY OF
VIDEO CAMERAS, FILM CAMERAS, OR STILL
PHOTOGRAPHY. THE JOB OUTLOOK REALLY IS UP
TO YOU AS AN ARTIST TO MAKE THE
DETERMINATION FOR YOURSELF, WHETHER THE
INDUSTRY MAY BE DEAD, OR STILL ALIVE BECAUSE
YOU HAVE PROJECTS TO DO.
40. THE MEANING OF MY RESULTS
THE FILM INDUSTRY CAN BE A RISKY BUSINESS WHEN FIRST
STARTING OUT, YOU USUALLY WILL START WORKING FOR
FREE, WITH OTHER STUDENTS. IF YOU ARE STARTING
FROM NO FINANCIAL SUPPORT, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO
BE SUCCESSFUL RIGHT AWAY, GRADUATING FROM
COLLEGE COULD LAND YOU A JOB IN A BIG STUDIO, BUT IF
YOU ARE TRYING TO START OUT AS A INDEPENDENT FILM
MAKER, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO DO SO.
45. COURSES YOU SHOULD TAKE
CINEMATOGRAPHY, DIRECTING, EDITING,
SOUND, ELECTRICAL, WRITING, PRODUCING,
ACTING, CASTING, HOW TO BE AN AGENT,
AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN FIND RELATED
TO THE INDUSTRY.
49. INTERVIEW RESULTS
1) HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS WORK? I ALWAYS LOVED MOVIES AND THE CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE
2) WHAT ENTRY LEVEL JOB DEVELOPS YOUR POSITIONS BEST SKILLS? PAING IS A GREAT WAY TO LEARN HOW SET RUNS. INTERNSHIPS ARE
ALSO GREAT
3) WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAILY BASIS? TRY TO BE PRODUCTIVE IN SOME CREATIVE CAPACITY. WETHER THATS TAKING DOWN NOTES
FOR IDEAS OR SIMPLY TAKING PHOTOS
4) WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? IT’S THE OPPOSITE OF A 9-5. NO STRUCTURE AND ROUTINE. EVERY DAY IS A NEW
EXPERIENCE ON SET.
5) WHAT SKILLS DO YOU ENJOY MOST? BEING CREATIVE
6) WHAT LEAST DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB? UNCERTAINTY OF THE INDUSTRY
7) WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR JOB? STABILITY
8)) IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ANOTHER CAREER, WHAT WOULD IT BE? PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE
9) WHAT IS THE SALARY RANGE FOR ENTRY LEVEL? I THINK MOST CREATIVE EXECS START IN THE $40,000 A YEAR RANGE.
10) DO YOU KNOW PEOPLE WITH THE SAME JOB? YES
11) DO YOU LIKE THE HOLLYWOOD RED CARPET TREATMENT OR PREFER TO BE ALONE, OR CASUAL? I PREFER TO BE OUT OF THE
SPOTLIGHT
12) CAN YOU CHANGE THE WORLD WITH THIS JOB? FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE. ABSOLUTELY, YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD WITH
50. SHARE SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT
I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THAT CLASS TIME
HAS INSPIRED ME TO KEEP AN UPDATED
RESUME, COVER LETTER, REFERENCES, AND
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION.
