Career path question - Camera Operator

A

AneriaFilms

Member
I am relocating to Chicago and also will be pursuing a career as a camera operator. My question is about what my career path is. To keep this post short, I'll include my background below. My main question is, should I be applying for a camera operator position if the only experience I have is with pro-sumer cameras (DVX100, XL2, PD170, etc...)? Does it matter that I've been to film school, shot a dozen or so amateur short films and music videos as well as some weddings and other freelance videography work if I havn't done anything "high-end" that was for a major network or anything. Should I first apply for a PA or assistant camera job and not risk looking pretentious by calling myself a camera operator? Or am I selling myself short that way. I have been doing videography for about 5 years part time, and recently, fulltime (freelance).

Also, is there a standard format for a production resume? I've looked at a ton of them online and they are all formatted differently. Does it really matter as long as it looks good and is concise?

I really appreciate anybody's comments. Thank you.

--davy


My background: I went to film school and I've shot about a dozen or so short films and a few music videos. I've done a lot of videography (weddings, business, documentary, etc...). I've directed a couple short films too. I know a lot of the technical aspects of film and video production, I just lack the high-end experience (which is something I want but am having a very hard time getting in Vermont).
 
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Chicago wise? if you're familiar with basic camera operation and own your own gear, then you can most definitely get work as an operator, so long as that's what you look for. The film school is a plus. I wouldn't recommend going the PA route, because you'll end up on a bunch of student stuff that leads nowhere.

Basically, if you're a professional, market yourself that way, and you'll be taken seriously.
 
If you are speaking of a camera operator on a feature, there is a hierarchy - it goes from starting as a 2nd AC, then going to a 1st AC, then becoming the CO, under the DP.

Is this what you mean?
 
how you should approach getting work depsnds on the work you are looking for.

For example, you would market and job hunt differently if you were looking to shoot weddings full time as opposed to shoot movies.

Are you looking to freelance independently or become an employee at a production house?

All I can say is that in Chicago there will be a GOOD amount of work that you should be able to find. I think you should nail a few freelance gigs and GET TO KNOW PEOPLE. once people know you and your work, you'll get more clients/calls.

Once you have "higher-end" experience, you should be picky about what jobs you take and focus on getting the ones more in tune with your interests (whether it's shooting live sports broadcasts or local cable commercials)

Good luck!

Oh and about a resume, I keep about 3 different version of my resume up to date. One for shooting, one for editing, and one general resume with a little bit of everything. I always insert or remove a few things based on what a potential client wants.... so if it's for shooting a digital film, I'll leave in ALL of the digital films I've edited, rather than list the commercials.
 
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