Camera Operator
Definition
The Camera Operator is the crew member who physically operates the camera during filming, executing the movements and framings specified by the director of photography. On larger productions, the DP may not touch the camera at all, instead focusing on lighting and the overall visual design of the film, while the camera operator handles the physical act of operating. On smaller productions, the DP and camera operator may be the same person.
Contextual Usage
The DP describes the shot to the camera operator: "I want you to start on a tight close-up of the coffee cup, then slowly pull back and tilt up to reveal the actor as they enter the room. The move should feel very deliberate and slightly ominous."
About this section
Production — or "principal photography" — is the phase in which the film or video is actually shot. It is the most visible and, typically, the most expensive phase of the entire process. Every day on ...
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