Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Working Life

Camera operators are employed by television and film production companies and video production houses.

Their job is to capture the ideas and vision of a Director by using principles of lighting, staging, focusing and filtering and by working with a team of video or film professionals.

Regular duties of a camera operator include setting up camera equipment, choosing suitable lenses and camera angles, and planning and rehearsing shots.

They have to work closely with other professionals, including lighting technicians and directors to create the desired effects by re-arranging studio sets or adjusting the lighting for example.

The camera operator also needs to regularly clean and test the camera equipment to ensure that it is in good working order each day before filming starts.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors.
• 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.
• 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.
• Operate soom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
• Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.
• Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.
• Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
• Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition.
• Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.

Further Information

• TV or Film Camera Operator- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

You can start out as a Camera Assistant and learn while working alongside an experienced Camera Operator. However, camera operators need very specific technical skills and typically have some formal training.

The most common course subjects include TV and film production, which often include modules on photography and recording. There are also courses in cinematography, camera operation, shot composition, technique, and lighting.

When you apply for a camera operator job, you will most likely need a portfolio, or a number of clips demonstrating your technical skills. A qualification in the field will usually allow you to build up a portfolio, but you can also do that through amateur photography, film or video work.

Some camera operators move between film and television and over time, may progress to a role with more responsibilities, such as camera supervisor, cinematographer or director of photography. You can also develop your career by specialising in a particular field, such as wildlife/nature, sport or action film.

Screen skills work based learning programs, training for production staff may be on-the-job. The company may organise short off-the-job courses for trainees.

IFTV Irish Film & Television network or Careersinscreen, list of TV/ Film production companies and Career roles.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: animation, broadcast, production, sports, digital media.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: creative, digital, media, production, broadcasting, film, multimedia, new media, TV.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Animation Apprenticeships.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: communications, media, production, digital arts, TV.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: camera, television, factual, production.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €32k - €62k

Salaries vary depending on employer, location, experience, and duties. Rates can vary depending on production rate, sessional , and project rate for production roles. 

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Eirieri

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Artists; Authors; writers; translators; Actors; entertainers; presenters; Dancers; choreographers; Musicians Arts officers; producers; directors; Photographers; audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators; Graphic designers Product; clothing and related designers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

• Institute of Art, Design and Technology - Dun Laoghaire

  • Kill Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
  • (01) 239 4000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Film Institute

  • 6 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
  • (01) 679 5744
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• SIPTU (Arts Culture Print and Media Sector)

  • Liberty Hall, Dublin 1
  • (01) 8586300
  • Click Here

• Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland

  • Queensgate, 23 Dock Road, Galway
  • (091) 561398
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Galway Film Centre

  • Cluain Mhuire, Monivea Road, Galway
  • Click Here

• Irish Film and Television Network

  • First Floor, Palmerstown Centre, Kennelsfort Road, Dublin 20
  • 01 905 3595
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Pulse College

  • +353 1 478 4045
  • Click Here