Description
Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.
- • Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
- • 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 zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
- • Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
- • Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
- • 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.
- • Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.
- • Instruct camera operators regarding camera setups, angles, distances, movement, and variables and cues for starting and stopping filming.
- • Read charts and compute ratios to determine variables such as lighting, shutter angles, filter factors, and camera distances.
- • Set up cameras, optical printers, and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects.
- • View films to resolve problems of exposure control, subject and camera movement, changes in subject distance, and related variables.
- • Read and analyze work orders and specifications to determine locations of subject material, work procedures, sequences of operations, and machine setups.
- • Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.
- • Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.
- • Assemble studio sets and select and arrange cameras, film stock, audio, or lighting equipment to be used during filming.
- • Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition.
- • Stay current with new technologies in the field by reading trade magazines.
- • 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.
- • Direct studio productions.
- • Design graphics for studio productions.
- • Write new scripts for broadcasts.
Related specializations
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Related Pathways
Arts, Entertainment, & Design
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Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
