Film/Television Camera Operator - Working conditions
Kaitango Whakaahua Whitiāhua/Pouaka Whakaata
Working Conditions
Film/television camera operators work in a variety of locations, depending on what they are filming. They may work in television and film studios, or outdoors filming scenes on location. When outdoors, film/television camera operators work in all weather conditions. Their work may be stressful as they need to meet deadlines.
Film/television camera operators may travel to a wide range of locations in New Zealand and overseas to film scenes.
"I might be shooting in a studio where I am standing for two hours on a concrete floor. Then I could be doing an outside cricket broadcast where I am standing for 10 hours in the sun."
Richard Lander - Television Camera Operator
Equipment
Equipment film/television camera operators may use includes:
- film, television or video cameras
- headphones
- cables
- tripods
- monitors
- camera filters
- lights
- other camera-related equipment.
It is useful if they can set up filming equipment such as dolly tracks for the camera to move along.
Knowledge of different equipment is important for camera operators
Camera operators use a range of equipment
Hours
The standard shooting day is 10 hours for television and 12 hours for film, although this may vary. Film/television camera operators may need to work evenings and weekends and be on-call, depending on the programme or film they are working on.
Contact with people
Film/television camera operators work with a variety of people including directors, other camera operators, sound recorders, lighting technicians, film and production crews, and actors. They may work independently if they film current affairs for a television station.
Updated
September 2009
