Skills, Qualities and Health from Job File

Skills and Qualities

Able to cope under pressure, apititude for teamwork, attention to detail, creative flair, eye for visual effect, hand-to-eye coordination, IT skills, patient, quick thinking, steady hand, technical aptitude.

Health

This job requires good general fitness, good hearing and normal colour vision.

What a camera operator does? from Job File

Camera Operator use a camera as part of a studio or film crew and may be sent on location. They translate the ideas of a production team into visual images by setting up and using photographic equipment for making films, videos, tv programmes and for interactive media. They work with the director of photography to ensure the right mood or atmosphere, having previously read the script and worked out suggested camera angles. Then plan the shoot to ensure that difficult shots can be finished in one take. Operators move, load and focus cmera as required by the director. Work varies and it is possible to specialize in film production, news, cartoons, features or video productions.

Work long and irregular hours that often include evenings and weekends. Shift work may be required. You can work in a studio or out on location. You may have to travel widely and stay away from home. Work may be pressurized at times and requires creativity and imagination. On outside broadcasts, and on location you have to cope with holding cameras steady in crowds or while walking on rough ground, and sometimes working on high scaffolding. You may have to work outside in bad weather.

If you are the only camera operator, you choose your own shots and your film is edited later. If working in a team, you follow instructions received through a headset from a director. Camera crews are responsible for the health and safety of themselves and their colleagues and the public. They are often required to work in dangerous environments, including war zones.

What a camera operator does?

Camera Operators usually begin work at the end of pre-production and, if the budget allows, attend the technical recces with other Heads of Department. They work closely with the Director of Photography (DoP), Director and Grip, and are responsible for the 1st Assistant Camera (AC), 2nd Assistant Camera (AC) and the Camera Trainee.

After the Director and DoP have rehearsed and blocked the shots, the Camera Operator and DoP decide where to position the camera, and what lenses and supporting equipment to use. Camera Operators liaise with the Grip and other Heads of Department, and keep them informed about how the position and movement of the camera might impact on their work load. They oversee the preparation and checking of camera equipment. During shooting, Operators are responsible for all aspects of camera operation, enabling the DoP to concentrate intensively on lighting and overall visual style.

Camera Operators ensure that the camera and associated equipment are prepared for the required set-ups, always keeping alert for any last-minute changes. They must be able to multi-task, and to watch, listen and think on their feet while carrying out complex technical tasks. They liaise closely with the Director, fine-tuning the exact details of each shot, which often involves suggesting creative improvements or alternatives. They supervise the logistics of moving the camera, and oversee the Camera maintenance work carried out by the Focus Puller and the 2nd AC.

Camera Operators work closely with performers, guiding them on what can and cannot be seen by the camera. As it is now common for DoPs to also operate the camera on smaller films, many Camera Operators specialise in the operation of other precision equipment, such as Remote Heads or Steadicam, and most also work on commercials, promos and television drama. On bigger budget films, the role of the Camera Operator remains a crucial link between the creative ambitions of the Director, the DoP, and other major departments, including Art, Hair and Make-Up and Costume.

Tax and Legal Obligation for camera operators

For self employed/freelance camera operators they have to organise and pay their taxes themselves as they are their own boss. For permanent contracts they will have their tax paid off for them before they receive their wages.

Types of contracts for Camera Operators

Camera Operators are normally under a freelance contract on a temporary period of time normally given by independent film productions. Alterative contracts would be a permanent contract normally assigned by big organizations that would offer a fixed contract to be a camera operator on a set. Permanent contracts are normally given for camera operators in television.

Resources needed to be a Camera Operator?

Essential knowledge and skills
Camera Operators need advanced technical abilities, combined with creative skills, and must know how to operate the camera to achieve the desired result. They need a good working knowledge of all camera systems, lenses and camera support equipment; of available accessories such as remote focus systems, video senders and receivers, and of any other regularly used equipment.  Creative input and artistic ability are vital. As the decision-making process may take some time, patience is also essential.

Key Skills include:

•   a good sense of visual composition, perspective and movement

•   physical co-ordination and strength

•   ability to combine creativity with technical skills

•   precise attention to detail

•   effective communication skills

•   ability to collaborate, and to work as part of a team

•   diplomacy and sensitivity when working with artists and crew

knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.

Today's lesson of Freelance

Today we have been set the task in our freelance class to produce a research log for a specialist job we discussing about in the previous lesson. Last lesson I chose I wanted my specialist job to be a Independent Camera Operator so I'll be researching things about the job like:
What the job entails, type of work that is undertaken within the specialism, resources needed, types of contracts a camera operator would get, tax and legal obligations, and health and safety considerations relating to camera operators.

Skills I have for a Independent Filmmaker

When working freelance in the media industry I would like to be an independent filmmaker the skills that I think would apply to this job role would be:

• Good Time Management
• Professionalism with the client
• Good creative skills
• Reliable
• Good at last minute decisions
• Self motivated
• Good at leading a team
• Experienced in different sections of the media industry
• Good communication skills
• Good at meeting deadlines
• Good Practical skills
• Can edit on different editing software

Freelance Job poster

The other day in class we created a poster for a selected freelance job where we discovered what a camera operator/cinematographer does for a job and how they promote themselves.