Television Camera Operator Job Description
Television Camera Operator Job Description and Profile
A television Camera Operator works in unison with creative as well as the technical team. He is responsible for capturing the script visually in a linear order. A television production is mostly linear and a camera operator should be able to maintain the linearity of it. He is also responsible for capturing a still shot for press release or publicity. Before a live show he also does a dry run to avoid any technical mistakes and makes an anchor/presenter or actor familiar with the type of shot.
Television Camera Operator Duties and Responsibilities:
- Responsible for mounting camera on the tripod and checking the audio devices of the presenter as well as Camera.
- Must know the shot division prior to the shoot; he should work in close co-ordination with director and creative team.
- Should know his subject well before shoot and accordingly instruct the light department.
- Responsible for the maintenance and repair of camera and its peripherals like lens, tripod, monitors, head phones and microphones.
Television Camera Operator Education, Training and Qualifications
An education qualification doesn’t hold much importance here but a Television Camera Operator must know shot composition, camera movements like trolley and dolly well and smooth. He should also know the correct framing like whether to frame a close up or a wide shot, how much should be head room or nose room. He should be well versed with the technical terms and jargons that are used in a typical shooting location.
Television Camera Operator Degrees, Courses & Certification
A television camera operator should have sound knowledge about shot composition and framing. There is no minimal education required for this job but a certificate in journalism or Television production can help.
Television Camera Operator Skills and Specifications:
- Should have good sense of lighting and set design.
- Should have good command over language for understanding script.
- Should have an eye for detailing and good hearing power.
- Should have good stamina and ability to work fast during situations like war, famine or some live show.
- Should be able to edit a feed and send it to the broadcasting unit in case of breaking news.
- During Multi-Camera productions, he should be a team player and should adhere to the instructions of online director.
- Should be creative with camera angles and also should have sound technical knowledge about camera.
Television Camera Operators Salary/Wage
The salary of a television camera operator ranges from $14000 to $60,000 per annum.