Career: Camera Operators and Editors
Whether videotaping a political protest for the local news, shooting a weekly cable TV program, or filming a scene for a new action movie, the decisions you make as a camera operator will require a combination of creative and technical skills. You'll need a good eye and a steady hand to choose interesting material, decide how to present it, and pick the right equipment to use.
Camera operators shoot TV programs and commercials, videos, and movies. Some also do their own editing.
Did You Know?
- About one in five camera operators is self-employed.
Are You Ready To...?
- Operate and care for cameras and other equipment
- Work closely with directors and other crewmembers
- Work with lenses, film, and filters
- Edit raw footage, deciding which images to include and in which order to present them
- Add special effects
It Helps to Be...
Creative, visual, and a fan of gadgets. You’ll need to be a technical expert who's knowledgeable about camera equipment.
Make High School Count
- Take photography classes, where you'll practice composing a shot, working with light, choosing camera settings, and using filters.
- Join your school’s audio-visual club.
- Work summers or part-time in local TV studios, motion picture studios, or camera and video stores.
Did You Know?
- New camera operators and editors often begin their careers at small TV stations in rural areas or small towns.
Outlook
According to government economists, jobs for camera operators and editors should grow as fast as the average for all careers through 2016. The growth of film and video production, including the creation of programs and movies for the Internet, should fuel job growth. However, because this is such a popular career choice, you'll face a lot of competition when looking for work.
Compensation
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly pay of camera operators in film and TV was $22.39 in 2007. Film and video editors earned more: $29.42. Keep in mind that camera operators and editors in film earn much more than those in TV.
