Production Portfolio by Hansfield, Jacob https://padlet.com/jacob_hansfield1/e6fjbwqua775lu3z en-us 2021-04-17 22:44:01 UTC 2025-12-19 02:03:23 UTC hello@padlet.com Title jacob_hansfield1 https://padlet.com/jacob_hansfield1/e6fjbwqua775lu3z/wish/1428869725 Camera Operator

"A camera operator, or depending on the context cameraman or camerawoman, is a professional operator of a film camera or video camera as part of a film crew."




]]> 2021-04-17 22:44:33 UTC https://padlet.com/jacob_hansfield1/e6fjbwqua775lu3z/wish/1428869725 Responsibilities jacob_hansfield1 https://padlet.com/jacob_hansfield1/e6fjbwqua775lu3z/wish/1428870014 "Important camera operator skills include choreographing and framing shots, knowledge of and the ability to select appropriate camera lenses, and other equipment (dollies, camera cranes, etc.) to portray dramatic scenes. The principles of dramatic story telling and film editing fundamentals are important skills as well. The camera operator is required to communicate clearly and concisely on sets where time and film budget constraints are ever present."

"In filmmaking, the cinematographer or director of photography (DP or DoP) is sometimes called lighting cameraman or first cameraman. The DP may operate the camera themselves, or enlist the aid of a camera operator or second cameraman to operate it or set the controls. The first assistant cameraman (1st AC), also known as a focus puller, is responsible for maintenance of the camera, such as clearing dirt from the film gate and adjusting the follow focus. A second assistant cameraman (2nd AC), also known as a clapper loader, might be employed to load film, slate scenes, or maintain the camera report"


]]> 2021-04-17 22:44:57 UTC https://padlet.com/jacob_hansfield1/e6fjbwqua775lu3z/wish/1428870014 Interviews jacob_hansfield1 https://padlet.com/jacob_hansfield1/e6fjbwqua775lu3z/wish/1428870058 One of the things I learned is that if you are a camera operator you have to be flexible enough to be able to work in many different conditions. Some examples would be in remote places that are difficult to get in/out of, long days in the sun and heat, and physically challenging shoots that require lot of activity with a large heavy camera. 

I also leaned how many choices and subsequently how much control the camera operator actually has. I thought the camera work was going to be more stringently directed by either the director or the cinematographer, which it certainly is, but now I realize that the camera operator has more control over the shots they get. An example is I am surprised that the camera operator can call for another take if they feel like they can get a better shot or angle, I had simply assumed the director would ask for another take if he didn’t like it and that the camera operator was lower on the totem pole of creative control in the production of a film.

This leads into the third point which is how good your communication has to be. Communicating with the cinematographer and the director is a larger part of the job than I imagined. This makes sense though as the camera operator has more control over some parts of shots than I realized. 

One of the most important parts is to keep an eye on the edge of the frame and make sure nothing leaks in that isn’t supposed to be there. I had never thought of how much work and effort must be put into making sure none of the background of a set isn’t in frame. In my personal films I have had problems I haven’t had to worry so much about that because I was not filming on much of a set, but in an interview, they said if they pulled the camera three millimeters out you could see a lot of what was happening in the background. 

How crucial relationships are to getting jobs as a camera operator. I knew that relationships played a part in getting a job in the film industry in general, but I didn’t realize that the relationships you build and being a easy person to work with are just as important as the skills you have as a camera operator.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-RIbWMZN4w&ab_channel=NABShow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJxbV6H1MV0&ab_channel=BanffCentreforArtsandCreativity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ4VPyL_2UU&ab_channel=JoshHanes


]]> 2021-04-17 22:45:00 UTC https://padlet.com/jacob_hansfield1/e6fjbwqua775lu3z/wish/1428870058 Demographics jacob_hansfield1 https://padlet.com/jacob_hansfield1/e6fjbwqua775lu3z/wish/1428876683 According to zappa.com and the US census bureau, the main demographic of camera operator is white men. Men make up about 75 percent of camera operators with 69 percent being white. Women make up 21 percent of camera operator with the other 3 percent being unknown. Hispanic or Latino make up the second most common camera operators at 14.4 percent and black or African American being the third at 7.8 percent. 

According to Emily Geraghty, a senior producer, camera operator, and editor for Condé Nast Entertainment, part of the difficulty for women becoming camera operators is that film programs that are designed to teach camera skills are male dominated which leads to an environment that is discouraging. This environment leads to women being pushed towards producing instead of hands on roles such as camera operator. Geraghty believes some of these attitudes towards women in these roles have progressed in recent years. 
 
I did not find much on why camera operators tended to be white, I can say that camera operators tend to hold bachelors degrees from colleges, and the white population are statistically more likely to hold a bachelors degree than the African Americans or Latino/Hispanic population (according to the American Council on Education) which could be leading to some of the disparity we see. This is also coupled with the fact that the movie industry is significantly white in general, which can be discouraging for minorities. 


other sources 
https://www.zippia.com/studio-camera-operator-jobs/demographics/

https://www.equityinhighered.org/indicators/u-s-population-trends-and-educational-attainment/educational-attainment-by-race-and-ethnicity/

]]> 2021-04-17 22:53:21 UTC https://padlet.com/jacob_hansfield1/e6fjbwqua775lu3z/wish/1428876683 How Does one Train for this job? jacob_hansfield1 https://padlet.com/jacob_hansfield1/e6fjbwqua775lu3z/wish/1428923264 There are a couple of ways to train to become a camera operator and gain necessary skills. One of the most common educational requirements is to hold a bachelors degree in film or television. 

There is also the option of going to a camera operator course, which are offered by some colleges and other institutions that teach  camera operator specific knowledge. 

Another option to build up knowledge and experience is to get an associates degree in television or film production. 

One or more of these is a good start to help get a foot in the door as a camera operator. Camera operators are also often at least somewhat self taught in the ways that they use a camera, and shooting personal films is often a way one acquires general camera skills besides formal schooling. Experience with different camera angles, lenses and more are necessary skills that can be learned though trial and error on personal projects. 

Generally camera operators start on smaller jobs such as student films and independent films. As they and progress their carriers by building up a reputation and their contacts, which can lead to roles on larger films. 

https://www.careersinfilm.com/camera-operator/

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-camera-operator

https://study.com/articles/Camera_Operator_Certification_and_Training_Program_Information.html]]> 2021-04-17 23:56:06 UTC https://padlet.com/jacob_hansfield1/e6fjbwqua775lu3z/wish/1428923264 Why Do I Want to Pursue this field? jacob_hansfield1 https://padlet.com/jacob_hansfield1/e6fjbwqua775lu3z/wish/1428967245 To whomever this may concern, 

Hi my name is Jacob Hansfield and I am interested in shadowing you as a camera operator to learn the tools of the trade. I am familiar with cinematography and filmmaking techniques, and am curious as to how they apply to real filmmaking.

 I have limited experience in making my own short films, and I have learned much from these experiences, but I lack much of the technical knowledge of cameras as I have only shot on my iPhone before. Being a camera operator interests me because through college I have become more aware of interesting camera work I have seen in films and have become inspired to learn more. I am also someone who like to be hands on and do physical work, which I have read can be a significant part of a camera operators job. 

If I could learn anything for you I would like to understand the technical aspects of being a camera operator and what that entails. I would also like to gain a deeper understanding of how decisions are made and different departments work together during a film production.

Sincerely,
Jacob Hansfield


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