Camera+Operator

**Definition ** Is the lead member in the camera crew who controls a video camera or film equipment for recording purposes.
 * Camera Operator by Sarah Jacobs **

The Camera Operator will operate the camera with the instructions of the Director. The CO will also be in charge of the camera angles and the lighting and making sure they fit the script. The Camera Operator will need a good stamina, an excellent eye, good communication skills and how to use the camera in different settings. The Camera Operator will have to work with The Director of Photography or Cinematographer. He or she is also responsible for cleaning the camera equipment.
 * Role in the Production Process **

To become a camera operator, you must have an excellent understanding of photography, cameras, lenses and lighting. There are university courses in film and television production but you don’t always need formal qualification, having ability, experience as well knowledge can be more important than having a degree. Some of courses available in Victoria are; v Certificate III in Media v Certificate IV in Screen and Media v Diploma of Screen and Media v Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media v Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering/ Bachelor of Arts v Bachelor of Arts- Global/ Bachelor of Science v Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Commerce v Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science v Bachelor of Engineering/ Bachelor of Arts v Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering/ Bachelor of Arts <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">[] <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> This site will inform you where these courses are available within Victoria.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Training Requirements **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The OH&S requirements for a camera operator are; making sure the aerial cabling is installed by suitably licensed persons. Equipment such as scissor lifts, camera cranes, forklifts are to be operated by licensed people at all times when shooting, also the equipment must be tested and tagged in compliance with the safety regulations.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Occupational Health and Safety Requirements **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The equipment has vastly changed making the Camera Operator’s job easier. The benefit of having smaller film equipment means, the camera operator doesn’t have to move around large cameras. Also you can now use film cameras anywhere, anytime. An example of this would be filming in water and seeing a clearer picture when 50 years ago you couldn’t. The camera has now got a 3D function which allows movies such as Happy Feet 2, Step Up 3D and Gulliver’s Travels. The first movie camera for personal use had the film already loaded inside and to get it developed the customer would have to return the whole unit, the company would then send it back with a new film. Now days we use digital, which is easy for storage and for use. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The issues that have risen with camera technology being easier to use, means that more amateurs are making films. With more amateur films being made, and having the access of the internet at the touch of our fingers, more films are showing up. Also when having more amateurs wanting to break into the film industry, means that more people wanting to be in films than films wanting to have camera operators, which means some professionals won’t get jobs. The film process is much quicker due to not having to wait for the film to be develop, and this also means the editing can be done a lot quicker as well.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Impacts of technology and industry development **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Famous Camera Operator’s **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Chris Haarhoff **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">: Known for Fight Club (1999), Get Him to the Greek (2010), Déjà Vu (2006), Pirates of the Caribbean: The curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Almost Famous (2000) and The Little Rascals (1994).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Robert Foster: **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Known for Year One (2009), Mirrors 2 (2010), The Mist (2007), The Nugget (2002), Super (2010) and Killer Joe (2011).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Mike Thomas: **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Known for Love Stinks (1999), The Crazies (2010) Surrogates (2009) ,Tropic Thunder (2008), Today you Die (2005) and The Last Samurai (2003).

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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Pirates of the Caribbean: The curse of the Black Pearl <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">There are seven basic camera movements that a Camera Operator needs to do they are; <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Pan, tilt, pedestal, dolly, truck, Arc and zoom which were used in the Pirates of the Caribbean: The curse of the Black Pearl (2003). David Luckenbach is the Steadicam operator, this means the camera is strapped to the body of the Camera Operator.When using the Steadicam technique comes with a smoother footage when moving places. David started working as cameraman in 1986, He also known for Hancock (2008) which he was the Steadicam operator and the camera operator, in Apollo 13 he was Steadicam Operator. David was a nominee is the Life Time Achievement Awards in 2008. His camera work was really good because of the control of the camera, this gave a smooth effect in all of his films. A scene in Pirates of the Caribbean; The Curse of the Black Pearl, which the Steadicam was used effectively are;When the guards are trying to find Jack Sparrow around the beginning of the film, using the Steadicam method in this scene made that part look effortless and if someone was walking into the Black Smith's and viewing what's happening.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Notable Examples **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'Camera Operator' n.d., //ACO//, [Online], Available: http://www.theaco.net/testimonials-full.asp [2011, July 25]. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'Camera operator/Cinematographer/Director of Photography' n.d., //SYN//, [Online], Available: http://syn.org.au/sites/default/files/SYN%20Guide%20to%20TV%20Roles%20and%20Responsibilities_0.pdf [2011, July 25].
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">References **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'Camera operator' n.d., //Skwirk//, [Online], Available: http://www.skwirk.com.au/p-c_s-11_u-56_t-91_c-322/the-roles-of-people-who-make-television/nsw/science-technology/visual-ventures/making-television-from-the-station-to-our-homes [2011, July 25].

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'The Changes to Camera Technology over the last 70 years ' n.d., //The people history Camera Changes//, [Online], Available: http://www. [2011, August 13].

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'The Changes to Camera Technology over the last 70 years ' n.d., //The people history Camera Changes//, [Online], Available: http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/cameras.html [2011, August 13].

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'Chris Haarhoff' n.d., //IMDb//, [Online], Available: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0351886/ [2011, July 26].

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'Definition and Nature of the Work' n.d., //State University//, [Online], Available: http://www. [2011, July 25].

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'Film and Television Camera Operator' n.d., //Australian Government job guide//, [Online], Available: http://www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au/occupation/Film-and-Television-Camera-Operator [2011, July 26]

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'Google' n.d., //Google//, [Online], Available: http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&q=camera+operator&tbs=dfn:1&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=-qwqTqK6Fs7wmAXR_KytDA&ved=0CCAQkQ4&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=ae953be9eaedea&biw=1024&bih=476 [2011, July 24].

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'Media industry' n.d., //VCE MEDIA BLOG//, [Online], Available: http://lessonbucket.com/year-eleven/vce-media-unit-2/media-industry-production [2011, July 25].

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'Robert Foster' n.d., //IMDb//, [Online], Available: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0288025/ [2011, July 26].

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">‘Safety ' n.d., //http://www.freetv.com.au/media/Engineering/OP51_TV_Coverage_Plan_for_Indoor_Entertainment_Programs.pdf//, [Online], Available: http://www.freetv.com.au/media/Engineeri/OP51_TV_Coverage_Plan_for_Indoor_Entertainment_Programs.pdf [2011, August 7]

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'Camera Operator' n.d., //Youtube//, [Online], Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTlDN6rdv4A [2011, August 20].

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'Camera Operator' n.d., //Youtube//, [Online], Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SsfezqCsWg&feature=related [2011, August 20]. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'David Luckenbach' n.d., //Google//, [Online], Available: https://plus.google.com/117218454510534597742#117218454510534597742/about [2011, August 22].

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">'David Luckenbach' n.d., //IMDb//, [Online], Available: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0530686 [2011, August 21].

__<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTlDN6rdv4A __ <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">[]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">External links **