Camera Operators, Television, Video, & Film

Also Called:

Camera Operator,

Cameraman,

Television News Photographer,

Videographer

What they do: Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.

Arts, Entertainment, & Design icon

Arts, Entertainment, & Design

Career Cluster

What do they typically do on the job?

  • 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 television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
  • Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include creating, designing, and making your own rules.

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Innovation

Adaptability

Achievement Orientation

Interests

Career interests describe the perspectives and interests of people who enjoy the type of work involved in this career.

Discover what your interests are by taking the Interest Profiler Quiz

See Related Jobs

Artistic

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Realistic

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Conventional

Abilities

Whether you have received formal training or not, these types of abilities are helpful in this career.

Ideas and Logic

  • Notice when problems happen

  • Order or arrange things

Verbal

  • Communicate by speaking

  • Listen and understand what people say

Hand and Finger Use

  • Keep your arm or hand steady

  • Hold or move items with your hands

Attention

  • Pay attention to something without being distracted

Skills

People who want to pursue this career have skills in these areas.

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

  • Reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Does this sound like something you'd like to do?

1. Do some research

  • Identify how your interests, values, and strengths match this occupation
  • Talk to someone who works in this field or spend a day job shadowing
  • Use the colleges and training directory to explore programs related to this career

2. Plan your next move

  • Talk to your college and career counselor or school admissions staff
  • Visit Idaho Launch
  • Search for available Camera Operators, Television, Video, & Film jobs on Idaho Works

Data for NSI career cards comes from the following: Idaho Department of Labor, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET, MyNextMove, and Career OneStop