The camera operator

The camera op has a central role in any corporate video shoot.

Their skill in operating a camera under almost any conditions has to be taken for granted.

On any given day a camera op can be expected to spend the morning shooting a small drama to television standard in an office, complete with lighting, then shoot a couple of interviews in the street in the early afternoon, then finish off the day with superb brochure-quality shots of a corporate headquarters.

Many of the shots will use a tripod, but often the camera will need to be held on the shoulder, which requires a steady hand to avoid camera shake.

Hopefully, it can be seen that a corporate video camera op is a specialist and highly skilled individual, able to adjust to any situation at almost a moment’s notice, and still produce a first class shot.

Working with the director

To succeed in this, the camera op needs a good understanding with the director.

For example, while the director is busy giving guidance to the subjects on camera, the camera op will be busy interpreting how best to set up that shot, how to light it, where the subjects should stand in order to get the best picture, and so on.

In fact, the best corporate video camera ops are directors of photography in their own right. (But don’t tell them this or they’ll want a raise!)

The cameras op’s job is a taxing one so they need to be even-tempered and not easily ruffled.

Technical knowledge

They also need an intimate knowledge of the camera, lights, electrics, and be able to technically cope with the requirements of the location.

For example as well as setting up posh lighting for a CEO shoot, the camera op needs to setup any one of three different kinds of microphone, assist with setting up the teleprompt, sort out the power supply, and still understand what the director is looking for.

In a television studio, there may well be three or four technicians to do all this. But on the corporate video shoot, it’s mostly down to the camera op.

Summary

A corporate video camera operator needs to be familiar with every item of kit on a shoot.

They need to be versatile and multi-skilled.

If required. they need to be able to produce a good shot out of very little.