A camera operator, or depending on the context cameraman or camerawoman, is a professional
operator
Operator may refer to:
Mathematics
* A symbol indicating a mathematical operation
* Logical operator or logical connective in mathematical logic
* Operator (mathematics), mapping that acts on elements of a space to produce elements of another ...
of a
film camera or
video camera as part of a
film crew. The term "cameraman" does not imply that a male is performing the task.
In
filmmaking, the
cinematographer
The cinematographer or director of photography (sometimes shortened to DP or DOP) is the person responsible for the photographing or recording of a film, television production, music video or other live action piece. The cinematographer is the ch ...
or director of photography (DP or DoP) is sometimes called lighting cameraman or first cameraman. The DP may operate the camera themselves, or enlist the aid of a camera operator or second cameraman to operate it or set the controls. The first assistant cameraman (1st AC), also known as a
focus puller, is responsible for maintenance of the camera, such as clearing dirt from the
film gate and adjusting the
follow focus. A second assistant cameraman (2nd AC), also known as a
clapper loader, might be employed to load film,
slate scenes, or maintain the camera report (a log of
scenes,
takes
A take is a single continuous recorded performance. The term is used in film and music to denote and track the stages of production.
Film
In cinematography, a take refers to each filmed "version" of a particular shot or "setup". Takes of each s ...
,
rolls
Roll or Rolls may refer to:
Movement about the longitudinal axis
* Roll angle (or roll rotation), one of the 3 angular degrees of freedom of any stiff body (for example a vehicle), describing motion about the longitudinal axis
** Roll (aviation), ...
,
photographic filters used, and other production data).
A camera operator in a
video production may be known by titles like , , or , depending on the context and technology involved, usually operating a
professional video camera. As of 2016, there were approximately 59,300 television, video, and motion picture camera operators employed in the United States.
Important camera operator skills include choreographing and framing
shots, knowledge of and the ability to select appropriate
camera lens
A camera lens (also known as photographic lens or photographic objective) is an optical lens or assembly of lenses used in conjunction with a camera body and mechanism to make images of objects either on photographic film or on other media capab ...
es, and other equipment (
dollies,
camera cranes, etc.) to portray dramatic scenes. The principles of dramatic story telling and
film editing
Film editing is both a creative and a technical part of the post-production process of filmmaking. The term is derived from the traditional process of working with film stock, film which increasingly involves the use Digital cinema, of digital ...
fundamentals are important skills as well. The camera operator is required to communicate clearly and concisely on sets where time and
film budget constraints are ever present.
Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate (german: Brandenburger Tor ) is an 18th-century neoclassical monument in Berlin, built on the orders of Prussian king Frederick William II after restoring the Orangist power by suppressing the Dutch popular unrest. One ...
(1926)
References
Broadcasting occupations
Cinematography
Filmmaking occupations
Television terminology
Television occupations
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