Camera Operator advice

[markcurtisp]

I'll be finishing my degree in Media/Broadcast Engineering next year and I want to go down the Camera Operating route, usually the graduates from this course go into Engineering (studio design/satellite uplinks) that sort of thing but there are always some who go into the operational side of things.

I was wondering what theory I should be revising and researching further into, we have covered a lot over the past 2 years, we have had projects on studio design-signal flow, etc, camera recommendation for a new production company, a few projects on 4K and we have covered a lot on video formats and compression, etc.

We were told that engineers should have a basic knowledge of the operational side of the industry and that the operators need to have some knowledge on the engineering side of things.

So to get back to the point, what should I be spending my free time researching or reading?

p.s. I have had hands on experience with a professional camera last year but it is difficult to rent out again as the waiting lists are usually long at the college.

 

[edinc90]

Work at your local PBS station or local access, they need volunteers and staff usually. The best thing to do it practice and get credits.

I actually did the opposite of you, I studied film and television production and now I'm a studio engineer (at a brand new studio where no one knew the meaning of the term "signal flow.")

 

[bruce southerland]

You'll be a camera assistant at some point, so
One of the book's you can read, if you haven't already, is
The Camera Assistant's Manual by David Elkins.

 

[bruce southerland]

There is an organization--- the SOC-- the society of camera operators.
You may want to do some research on this organization.

 

[CharlesPapert]

Bruce, the OP was referring to broadcast production, which is whole other world than I believe you are referring to, wouldn't you agree?

 

[bruce southerland]

You are correct Charles. Mark, if you are pursuing broadcast production camera operating, my posts do not apply to you.
My posts were For someone pursuing feature film production.

 

[David W. Jones]

For what it's worth, most of the TV stations in my neck of the woods have laid off their engineering staffs, keeping one person as chief engineer, and then using free lance workers when needed due to budget cutbacks and mergers.