How to Become a Camera Operator

How to become a Camera Operator

What is a Camera Operator? 
While the Director and the Director of Photography set up the mood and the style for each shot, the ones who are hands-on behind each shot are Camera Operators, who combine their technical knowledge with creative input to make sure each clip is a perfect fit for the final product.

Camera Operators work under the Director and Director of Photography and often work closely with technical departments to include sound and lighting. Camera Operators work across a variety of mediums recording moving images. They create the film for music videos, corporate productions, films, TV programmes, and commercials. In this article, we will be discussing what responsibilities you can expect from this role, and the key skills you will need to become a Camera Operator.

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How To Become a Focus Puller

Become a Focus Puller

What is a Focus Puller? 
A Focus Puller is also sometimes known as the 1st Assistant Cameraperson (1st AC). The Focus Pullers works as part of the Camera Department and are responsible for maintaining image sharpness.

Image sharpness is maintained through the act of pulling focus. This is whereby the lens’ focus distance is changed depending upon where the subject has moved. Or, for example, it could be shifting the focus from one subject to another.

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How To Become a Camera Assistant

How to become a Camera Assistant

What is a Camera Assistant?
A Camera Assistant supports the Camera Department and is considered one of the most junior roles within the department. Camera Assistants are not common within smaller productions due to budget limitations.

Maintenance
In supporting the Camera Department you will be expected to help in the setup of cameras, their maintenance and the subsequent handling of recorded footage. This will also include keeping a record of relevant stocks for items such as batteries and other supplies. You will need to keep a kit list to document all equipment currently in use on a production.

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Q&A with Drone Camera Operator, Will Davies

Word of Mouth with Drone Camera Operator, Will Davies

In this edition of Word of Mouth, we talk to Drone Camera Operator, Will Davies, on how the drone revolution is changing the way TV is made, and what the future holds for the technology.

How did you end up becoming a drone pilot?
Technology led me into it – having always been someone who dives into new technology at the earliest opportunity, when the aircraft started hitting the professional mainstream market, I put a toe in the water. A vast amount of flying experience later, and an even vaster amount of money spent on new aircraft to keep up with the demands of TV and film production, and here I am today – four pro-aircraft and about sixty batteries that need constant charging.

What are the main advantages of using a drone over more traditional aerial filming?
This is a great question, because for a while production crews were using drones in place of helicopters because of the cost savings. The beauty of using drones now is that everyone can afford to add that extra dimension to their production – independent companies have us available on tap, and by the day if necessary.

But by far the best thing about using an experienced drone pilot is that you can (for example), have the drone film a chase on foot through a multi-story car-park, through trees, or other awkward spaces – something a helicopter would never have been able to do – and also there’s no running out of tracks, no cranes, jibs, or dollys required. Just a huge amount of flexibility and quick-turnaround shoots.

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