Camera Operator Film & Television Career Profile | Career Advice and Help Australia CareerNav

Camera Operator Film & Television*

Last modified: November 07, 2011, 01:25 PM

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This is an ideal career fo an intuitive thinker. Film and television camera operators set up, position and operate equipment in studios or on location to photograph people, events and scenes.

Typical Career Progression

Becoming a professional Camera Operator will take years of experience in the industry and require personal skill. Experience is usually acquired by volunteering on student work and numerous other productions. You will then work as a Camera Assistant before gaining enough knowledge to become a professional Camera Operator.

The two tables below are taken from the current Motion Picture Production Agreement (MPPA) which sets minimum remuneration: www.alliance.org.au

	Position	Remuneration	Experience	Education
Start Position	Camera Assistant Level 3	$37,856	Uaually preceed by 2 years	A relevant qualification
1st Promotion	Camera Assistant Level 4	$40,508	2 to 3 years	A relevant qualification
2nd Promotion	Camera Assistant Level 5	$43,160	4 to 5 years	Advanced training
3rd Promotion	Camera Assistant Level 6	$46,644	6 to 7 years	Advanced training
4th Promotion	Deputy Director of Photography Level 7	$50,908	8 to 9 years	Advanced training
5th Promotion	Director of Photography Level 8	$55,744	10+ years	Advanced training

A camera assistant for a freelance operator could expect to earn ($300-$450 per day), a Head Cameraman for a commercial TV station may earn $120k plus, whereas if you manage your own freelance company you can earn approx $1300 a day but have outlaid up to $250,000 to purchase equipment and must maintain that equipment, and manage your own business and financial affairs.

Typical accountabilities and responsibilities

Camera Operator Assistant Level 3	Will work with some supervision and to deadlines
Camera Operator Assistant Level 4	Expected to work competently with minimum supervision.
Camera Operator Assistant Level 5	Expected to work competently without supervision
Camera Operator Level 6	Will work unsupervised at a complex technical level. Is responsible for the camera equipment whilst on set and accountable for any equipment that goes missing or gets damaged under their supervision.
Deputy Director of Photography Level 7	Responsible with the Director of Photography for ensuring satisfactory quality of work. May be involved in recruitment and supervision of others.
Director of Photography Level 8	Responsible for ensuring that every scene is shot precisely to the wishes of the Director

**The above table is to be used as a guide only

Career Options Available

Completion of a course will not guarantee entry to this occupation. Employment and advancement depend on the person having technical knowledge, experience and talent. You can progress as a studio camera operator which is a pure camera operation only and mostly based in the studio. Alternatively a multi camera outside broadcasts, or a lighting cameraman who tends to be field based, quite independent, able to multitask. He may take on lighting, some direction responsibilities, sound, and input into any given shoot at a detailed level.

One of the best ways to get a well rounded introduction into camera work is to aim for a News Cameraman role in one of the TV stations.

You get excellent training in terms of being exposed to a wide range of situations and experiences and learn to be able to perform under pressure from the beginning. You get the opportunity to work in the field where you may be required to take on additional responsibilities around lighting, sound etc so will tend to build a broader skills base and become more self reliant. You will need to manage on the spot technical problems and cope with unexpected situations, building initiative and a degree of intuition for the job.

A Camera Operator has the opportunity to progress to a Director of Photography if that is their chosen profession, this will require a stronger knowledge of lighting and equipment. This is a very competitive field and will take determination and skill to guarantee employment

About the Author

Colin Budd

Colin Budd is a cameraman and an established Australian Director. He has directed numerous tele-movies and films, including Maiden Voyage, Curse of the Talisman, Flatland, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, City Life, and Mission: Impossible. He has worked behind the camera on Australian television shows such as The Biggest Loser. Colin is a fully accredited member of the Australian Cinematographers Society.