Top Camera Operator Interview Preparation Guide

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Anything is possible. Some days can be as short as five hours, but 14-hour days are not unusual. I could work during the day, at night or during weekends and bank holidays.

This is usually performed by a simple plug-in connection to the rear or side of the camera. However you should always refer to the relevant camera handbook.

A Digital CCTV Video Recorders, (DVR), are stand-alone units that are capable of saving digital CCTV images to a PC. DVR look similar to a standard Video Cassette Recorders (VCR's).

Only lighting within the visible wavelength should be used with color cameras. Tungsten Halogen is often the recommended source of lighting.

This can be achieved in a number of ways, the easiest of which is the installation of a Ground Loop Isolation Transformer. This is best installed at the monitor or recording end of the system.

An Auto Iris lens is one that automatically adjusts its iris for changes in the scene lighting levels. The motor that opens and closes the iris is driven by an Amplifier that processes a small electronic signal changing with the light level.

Get rewarded what job you produce and work with sincerity loyalty and with enthusiasm using yours years of experience to get best of it.

Yes, lenses are usually specified as having a minimum and maximum 'f' stop rating; the 'f' stop is a measure of how efficiently the lens allows light from the scene, to pass through the lens and onto the camera CCD sensor. The maximum aperture (when the lens is fully open), is the minimum 'f' stop number and the minimum aperture, (just before the lens completely closes) is the maximum 'f' stop number.

Currently the majority of CCTV systems use Digital technology. Digital CCTV Surveillance uses current PC technology to digitize the CCTV camera images and compress them into a PC friendly format. These digital images can then be stored on a PC's Hard Disk Drive. As the digital cctv images are stored on computers Hard Drives it is possible to save digital cctv footages and access them speedily and easily. Digital CCTV also has the advantage over Analogue CCTV systems that the image is of a far higher resolution.

On location, I am usually part of a team of four or five people, including a sound operator, a producer, possibly an assistant producer and a presenter. In the studio I work as part of a team or three or more camera operators, as well as director, a producer, one or more presenters and lots of other technical operatives such as lighting, sound and videotape technicians.

Video multiplexers are designed to allow recording of several cameras onto one recorder.

Simplex
A simplex machine is best suited to applications where recording only is the priority. Simplex machines cannot display multi screen images (i.e. quad, 9 way and 16 way split) while in the record mode.

Duplex
If an operator is monitoring the system (i.e. security guard) then a duplex machine is more suitable. A duplex machine can provide screen splits and user selectable images without affecting what is recorded onto the recorder. Should you use two recorders, it becomes possible to record and playback simultaneously.

People skills are really important. In this job you meet new people every day. They come from every walk of life and you have to have the confidence to communicate with all of them. Many of them have no experience of being on TV so they can be very nervous, and putting them at ease is an important part of the job. There is a lot of walking, sometimes running, and a lot of lifting and carrying to be done so you must be relatively fit.

This in general is a comparatively difficult decision. Many aspects of the installation must be taken into consideration in order to obtain the correct performance that meets your requirements.

A high-resolution camera should be considered where greater detail of scene is required. E.g. Color 460 TVL, Monochrome 570 TVL. Choosing a more sensitive camera will improve reproduction in poorly lit areas. The sensitivity of a camera is indicated by the minimum amount of light in order for the camera to produce a usable picture. e.g. Color 1.0 Lux at F1.2.

In the past, all CCTV Cameras were attached to a Multiplexor (A device that will split multiple camera pictures onto an individual CCTV Monitor). The Multiplexor then sends the analogue camera images to a Time Lapse Video Player. These are special CCTV recording devices that can record up to 960 hours of footage on a three hour Video Cassette. This method is still used today for simple CCTV installations but the quality of recording is usually very low (1 Frame Per 12.8 Seconds).

An AC current that can be produced in a cable. This is usually caused by parts of the system being fed from different electrical sources resulting in different earth potentials at each end. The result is interference on the signal, usually in the form of dark bands across the monitor and on occasion tearing in the top third of the image.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 14,220 individuals worked as camera operators in the television and film industries in 2015 (www.bls.gov). The BLS reported that the mean annual salary for workers that year was $59,360. In 2015, the majority of camera operators were employed in the motion picture and video industry, earning slightly over $64,810 per year, while radio and television crew workers claimed an average salary of $51,970.

I operate a camera on location or in the studio. I could film anything from a close-up of someone's face during an interview to a wide shot of the pitch and players during a football match. I use different techniques to ensure the shots are good quality, clear and visually interesting. The director or producer has an idea of how the finished film should look, and it's my job to make sure the shots I capture are as close to their vision as possible.

OSD (On Screen Display) cameras have a menu system within the camera assembly that can be accessed in order to set functions such as Iris levels, AGC on/off and most features of standard and advanced cameras.

Most employers in the entertainment industry require you to have some formal training before they'll hire you to work as a camera operator. Many film schools and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in film production that include courses related to cinematography and camera operation. Other trade, technical or private schools include certificate programs that provide specific training in camera operation.

The film and television industries are competitive, even for behind-the-scenes and technical workers. A formal education may offer the necessary training, though you'll need to start with entry-level jobs, such as a production assistant. After gaining sufficient experience, you might eventually be able to obtain work as a camera operator.

In general the answer is yes. Most manufacturers will recommend the use of such power supplies as standard with their equipment. You should always consult the manufacturer’s specifications prior to the connection of any power supply.

Several different types of entertainment organizations or venues utilize camera operators. You could gain a full-time position working for a single television studio, independent station or national network. Such positions can be more stable, but are not an optimal choice if you are interested in projects and variety in the field.

If you are interested in working as a camera operator for the film industry, you'll likely start out working on a freelance basis. Different production companies might hire you to shoot movies for a few months to several years. You might gain positions through networking and by establishing yourself in the industry based on your previous work experience, who you've worked with and your involvement with a film.

This is due to the depth of field changing as the light conditions change and can be easily overcome by following set procedures.

Creative Flair. Although being technically capable is important, creativity always needs to adapt to the project. Whereas once you know how to use a camera to a professional standard, the rate of development will lessen in comparison to thinking creatively and being innovative.

Sometimes there is a lot of waiting around. For example, it isn't much fun standing outside a court in the rain, waiting to film the people involved in a big trial as they leave the building.

Working with less favourable condition and gears.