According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors. | 95% |
| Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures. | 94% |
| Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing. | 94% |
| Instruct camera operators regarding camera setups, angles, distances, movement, and variables and cues for starting and stopping filming. | 91% |
| Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting. | 89% |
| Confer with directors, sound and lighting technicians, electricians, and other crew members to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, desired effects, camera movements, and lighting requirements. | 89% |
| Operate zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions. | 87% |
| Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements. | 86% |
| Assemble studio sets and select and arrange cameras, film stock, audio, or lighting equipment to be used during filming. | 86% |
| Read and analyze work orders and specifications to determine locations of subject material, work procedures, sequences of operations, and machine setups. | 85% |
| Set up and perform live shots for broadcast. | 83% |
| Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted. | 82% |
| View films to resolve problems of exposure control, subject and camera movement, changes in subject distance, and related variables. | 81% |
| Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition. | 81% |
| Direct studio productions. | 80% |
| Set up cameras, optical printers, and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects. | 79% |
| Read charts and compute ratios to determine variables such as lighting, shutter angles, filter factors, and camera distances. | 78% |
| Set up and operate electric news gathering (ENG) microwave vehicles to gather and edit raw footage on location to send to television affiliates for broadcast. | 71% |
| Write new scripts for broadcasts. | 69% |
| Design graphics for studio productions. | 68% |
| Label and record contents of exposed film and note details on report forms. | 60% |
| Prepare slates that describe the scenes being filmed. | 56% |
| Stay current with new technologies in the field by reading trade magazines. | 54% |
| Reload camera magazines with fresh raw film stock. | 42% |
