Camera Operators (TV and Film)
Official O*NET title: Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film (27-4031.00)
Also called: camera operator, cameraman, master control operator, news videographer, production technician
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing camera operators (tv and film) work
1 of 9 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use yet) — 11%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Talk 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 (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Operate zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Set up and perform live shots for broadcast (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Edit video for broadcast productions — no recorded AI use
- Instruct camera operators regarding camera setups, angles, distances, movement, and variables and cues for starting and stopping filming — no recorded AI use
- Assemble studio sets and select and arrange cameras, film stock, audio, or lighting equipment to be used during filming — no recorded AI use
- Read and analyze work orders and specifications to determine locations of subject material, work procedures, sequences of operations, and machine setups — no recorded AI use
- View films to resolve problems of exposure control, subject and camera movement, changes in subject distance, and related variables — no recorded AI use
- Direct studio productions — no recorded AI use
- Set up cameras, optical printers, and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects — no recorded AI use
- Read charts and compute ratios to determine variables such as lighting, shutter angles, filter factors, and camera distances — no recorded AI use
- Set up and operate electric news gathering microwave vehicles to gather and edit raw footage on location to send to television affiliates for broadcast — no recorded AI use
- Write new scripts for broadcasts — no recorded AI use
- Design graphics for studio productions — no recorded AI use
- Stay current with new technologies in the field by reading trade magazines — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors”. Try the prompt for: “Edit video for broadcast productions”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and camera operators (tv and film)
Will AI replace camera operators (tv and film)?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 1 of the 9 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Green rating (little AI use yet). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 20 of the 21 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which camera operator tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors.
Which camera operator tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures; adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting; talk 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. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 70% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a camera operator start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Camera Operators (TV and Film) ranks #437 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #28 of 31 in Creative & Media.
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