Camera Operator

The person who operates a film or video camera.

On documentaries and smaller budget productions the operator will also be responsible for lighting. On dramas, commercials & higher budget productions the operator is solely responsible for operating the camera. This means deciding how the frame is composed, how the action is followed and how the camera moves. Whilst working closely with the Director & DOP, the operator will also decide how best to cover a scene or action, where to place the camera and how the actors should be choreographed.