Camera operator

A Camera Operator uses a camera to capture moving images in events and scenes. Depending on the assignment, they may be called a Motion Picture Camera Operator (Filmographer), Television Camera Operator, or Video Camera Operator (Videographer).

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A Motion Picture Camera Operator is the second person on the totem of the four-person camera crew working on a feature-film for the cinema. This team is always headed by a Director of Photography (or Cinematographer). The Operator's duties embrace working to one degree or another with the Director, the Director of Photography and the actors in devising camera setups - angles, lenses to use, etc - and choreographing the dynamics of camera tracking moves on dollies or cranes to best interpret the dramatic scene. When shooting, the Operator is solely responsible for both physically operating the camera (ie, 'pointing' it while looking through the lens), and for the composition of any given framing throughout any given shot.

Related Topics:
Camera crew - Cinematographer - Actor - Choreographing - Dollies - Crane

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