How to become a camera operator

You see them all over the television now, the people behind the cameras, tagging along with the host while shooting a t.v. show or documentary. Sounds like fun to you, but how do you become one?

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Camera
• Computer

1. Reading about the subject helps you to fine-tune your future skills and to know the lingo. It's very important to have the terminology down before you go any further.
2. Make friends with people in the "biz," like camera assistants who are prepping camera equipment for an upcoming production and attending seminars and workshops are all means of learning the craft.
3. If you have the money and time, enroll into a film school or at least hunt around for a community college course that will get you started. At a school you find out how to become an operator, taught how to use a camera, and network.
4. Work on a student film or independent productions in any capacity. What I mean, if someone needs a gopher on a film production and it pays zero, do that. Just so you can get your foot in the door and learn about the "biz" and work your way up from there.
5. Search the internet to find jobs and information. Start by going to craigslist.com in your town and clicking on tv/film/video to look at the postings there. You will find other people like you that are networking and looking for people who will work for free for the same goal, making a film.
   
   A couple of places online to get more info The International Photographers Guild, http://www.local600IA.org and Society of Camera Operators, http://www.soc.org
   
   Do a search for "breaking in" or "How do I become"

Tips & Warnings

• Budding actors start with background work, non speaking roles, and they act for free, so they can get the experience in front of the camera. You can do the same behind the camera by working for free. Remember every project counts and is added to your resume getting you closer to a paid job.
• In order to make your dream come true, you will have to be vigilant in going after your dream. You will hear a lot of no's before getting a yes, so don't let that discourage you.