What is a Steadicam Operator?
A Steadicam is a camera stabilizing system used to capture tracking shots with motion picture cameras. A Steadicam Operator is an individual who is responsible for setting up the Steadicam, and capturing the footage for the production.
What is the Job?
Before Steadicams were invented, smooth moving shots had to be prepared through a very time consuming rigging of a lot of bulky tracking equipment. Nowadays, even though it’s much easier, operating a Steadicam still requires plenty of expertise and physical effort. A Steadicam is a system that keeps the camera operators movements smooth regardless of how fast the operator is moving, or how bumpy the surface that the camera is on is. Steadicam Operators are responsible for the equipment they operate, which sometimes is actually their own.
The equipment that a Steadicam Operator is in charge of usually weights around 40kg and it has to be worn for long periods while performing movement, so excellent physical fitness is essential.
