What does a camera operator do?
A camera operator is responsible for operating various technical equipment to support technical operations, such as media productions and live events. Camera operators must have extensive knowledge of different camera features to select the appropriate device and manage the production's overall visual presentation. They also deliver the perfect footage on different angles for easy editing techniques alongside the technical crews and director's supervision. A camera operator should be communicative, as well as having excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills to adhere to the demands of production and schedules.
Camera operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real camera operator resumes:
- Set up and operate cameras during basketball, volleyball, baseball, football, and softball games.
- Work involve studio productions and field shoots doing camera work, control room work, and grip work.
- Live footage capture at indoor and outdoor events including basketball, volleyball, wrestling, soccer, and lacrosse.
- Operate studio equipment (camera, audio, teleprompter) and assist producers and in-studio guests for live talk shows.
- Gather camera shots of a variety of sports at school games such as basketball, baseball, soccer, and volleyball.
- Make sure the anchors have the right microphones, IFB, scripts and rundowns.
- Record softball games broadcast on ESPN3.
- Experience operating dollies, including Fischer.
- Set up pre-game announcements and run message board.
- Assist cameramen by handling camera cables during college and NFL games.
- Operate camera for all live, tape, and ENG productions within studio
- Film with DSLR cameras various documentaries, promotional video, and tournaments.
- Monitor all CCTV, I/R, and access systems for all areas plant-wide.
- Detect suspicious behaviors, safety hazards and protect company assets by monitoring surveillance equipment (CCTV).
- Operate studio and jib cameras and assist lighting director operate lighting board and changing lights.
Camera operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 24% of Camera Operators are proficient in Video Production, Camera Equipment, and Camera Operation. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Hand-eye coordination.
We break down the percentage of Camera Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Video Production, 24%
Record and broadcast live municipality meetings part-time for Euro Video Productions.
- Camera Equipment, 13%
Performed routine maintenance on processors, mixed and balanced chemicals, and calibrated camera equipment to assure quality.
- Camera Operation, 7%
Live television camera operation and live audio operation Working knowledge of live television broadcast systems Adapts to changes during live broadcast events
- Audio Equipment, 5%
Work for a Non-Profit Technology Center operating camera and audio equipment for self and community sponsored events.
- CCTV, 4%
Detected suspicious behaviors, safety hazards and protect company assets by monitoring surveillance equipment (CCTV).
- Live Broadcasts, 4%
Shoot color (cut-away) shots for live SEC College Football broadcasts-Set up camera, equipment, run cable for live broadcast
"video production," "camera equipment," and "camera operation" are among the most common skills that camera operators use at work. You can find even more camera operator responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a camera operator to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "film and video editors and camera operators should be able to imagine what the result of their filming or editing will look like to an audience." Camera operators often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "framed and captured actions creatively while following camera scripts.relayed information between anchor and control rooms. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling camera operator duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "editors look at every frame of film and decide what should be kept or cut in order to maintain the best content." According to a camera operator resume, here's how camera operators can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "operated and handled camera equipment on a daily basis while paying precise attention to detail to issue south carolina drivers licenses. "
Hand-eye coordination. camera operators are also known for hand-eye coordination, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to camera operator responsibilities, because "camera operators need to be able to move about the action while holding a camera steady." A camera operator resume example shows how hand-eye coordination is used in the workplace: "filmed in coordination with the director of photography"
Physical stamina. For certain camera operator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical stamina." The day-to-day duties of a camera operator rely on this skill, as "camera operators may need to carry heavy equipment for long periods, particularly when they are filming on location." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what camera operators do: "operated cameras during physical shoot to deliver quality footage and photography. "
Visual skills. Another crucial skill for a camera operator to carry out their responsibilities is "visual skills." A big part of what camera operators relies on this skill, since "film and video editors and camera operators must see clearly what they are filming or editing in the postproduction process." How this skill relates to camera operator duties can be seen in an example from a camera operator resume snippet: "used handheld and shoulder mounted television cameras to capture visually interesting and compositionally sound shots on the court/field during games. "
Communication skills. Another skill commonly found on camera operator job descriptions is "communication skills." It can come up quite often in camera operator duties, since "film and video editors and camera operators must communicate with other members of a production team, including producers and directors, to ensure that the project goes smoothly." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day camera operator responsibilities: "use knowledge of audio/visual language to maintain clear communication through a headset with the control room. "
The three companies that hire the most camera operators are:
- Synergy Sports Technology
13 camera operators jobs
- Nexstar Media Group11 camera operators jobs
- Ilitch Holdings4 camera operators jobs
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Compare different camera operators
Camera operator vs. Executive producer
An executive producer is responsible for supervising the creation and development of digital entertainment content. Executive producers secure and maintain the production budget, negotiate with a production company, and manage marketing campaigns for promotion. They also work with multiple producers to finalize the production team, review the creative content, and ensure the completeness of production plans within the agreed timeframe. An executive producer must have excellent communication and organization skills, especially on coordinating with production personnel to ensure the smooth flow of the production operations.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, camera operator responsibilities require skills like "camera equipment," "camera operation," "audio equipment," and "cctv." Meanwhile a typical executive producer has skills in areas such as "digital content," "digital platforms," "web content," and "news stories." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Executive producers tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $116,122. In contrast, camera operators make the biggest average salary, $44,733, in the education industry.On average, executive producers reach higher levels of education than camera operators. Executive producers are 5.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Camera operator vs. Senior producer
A Senior Producer is responsible for the management of creative digital projects, as well as delegating various duties to the team. They pay particular detail to budget, staffing and talent, including casting, scripting, and the legal and logistic affairs of the production.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, camera operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "camera equipment," "camera operation," "audio equipment," and "cctv." Meanwhile, a senior producer has duties that require skills in areas such as "project management," "facebook," "digital content," and "production process." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Senior producers earn a higher average salary than camera operators. But senior producers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $121,671. Additionally, camera operators earn the highest salaries in the education with average pay of $44,733 annually.senior producers earn higher levels of education than camera operators in general. They're 6.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Camera operator vs. Video producer
Generally, a video producer manages and coordinates different aspects of the video production process. Video producers establish and develop multimedia content for internal corporate announcement videos, customer stories, and any other business projects. They also create videos for external promotions, product marketing, and recruitment. A bachelor's degree in video production, broadcasting, or film is necessary for this job. Video producers should know about media communication and production. Their skills should include attention to detail, initiative, leadership skills, and acceptance of criticism.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, camera operators are more likely to have skills like "camera equipment," "cctv," "live broadcasts," and "jib." But a video producer is more likely to have skills like "motion graphics," "instagram," "video projects," and "edit video."
Video producers typically earn similar educational levels compared to camera operators. Specifically, they're 4.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Camera operator vs. Video production internship
A video production intern is responsible for supporting the digital content production team in creating engaging video content for the target audience of the business or according to a client's specifications and requirements. Video production interns familiarize themselves with the use of various software tools and applications, shadowing tenured video producers on actual applications and media publications. They assist in publishing video content on digital platforms, responding to the viewers' inquiries and concerns. A video production intern must have excellent organizational and creative skills, especially when recommending content that would attract the audience and bring more potential clients.
Types of camera operator
Updated January 8, 2025
