Given that Hollywood hosts the most vibrant motion picture industry in the world, it can be expected that there is a high demand for television, video and film camera operators. There are bright career prospects for people in this field. However, there is also fierce competition among professionals in Hollywood, that can make the process of landing a job a bit challenging. Having a clear picture of what to expect can help aspirants land a job in Hollywood because such information can help a person prepare and gain more skills, making him stand out among other candidates.
General job description
Camera operators are the ones who are responsible for producing images that tell the story of the film, the TV show or the documentary. In addition to this, camera operators are also the ones who are responsible for recording important events, particularly those involved in broadcasting. In some instances, camera operators do their own editing, making them responsible for editing soundtracks, films, TV shows, and other videos. Camera operators need the appropriate technical skills and creativity to be able to handle all the responsibilities that have been mentioned.
Specific job descriptions
Camera operators who use the video format to record events and stories are called videographers. Usually they are the ones who are hired by independent television stations, local affiliate stations and other smaller media outlets. They are also the ones who usually record special events such as weddings, which many of them do on the side. On the other hand, studio camera operators are those who work in a broadcast studio. They usually videotape their subjects from a fixed position. News camera operators are usually the ones we see that go with reporters on location to catch and record live events.
In an industry where camera operators play an important role, Hollywood continues to be the best source of employment for aspiring camera operators. However, given the fierce competition among aspirants, people would do well to know what kind of work and working conditions they can expect in Hollywood. Doing so would allow them to prepare themselves and to gain the appropriate skills they need to land a job in Hollywood.