Operate television, video, or motion picture camera to record images or scenes for various purposes, such as TV broadcasts, advertising, video production, or motion pictures.
U.S. Workers
24,460
Median Salary
$68,810
10-Year Growth
+1.2%
Annual Openings
2,900
Typical entry: Bachelor's degree
25 of 26 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Label and record contents of exposed film and note details on report forms.
AI: Fully automatable - Computer vision, barcode/metadata capture and automated logging systems can reliably read slates and record contents and details into report forms without human input.
View films to resolve problems of exposure control, subject and camera movement, changes in subject distance, and related variables.
AI: Fully automatable - AI tools can analyze footage to detect exposure, focus, stabilization and distance issues and can automatically suggest or apply technical corrections in postproduction.
Receive raw film stock and maintain film inventories.
AI: Fully automatable - Receiving and inventorying raw film stock can be fully automated using barcode/RFID scanning and inventory management systems to track receipts and stock levels.
Read and analyze work orders and specifications to determine locations of subject material, work procedures, sequences of operations, and machine setups.
AI: Fully automatable - AI systems can read and analyze work orders and specifications to determine locations, procedures, operation sequences and machine setups and produce actionable plans for most standard tasks.
Read charts and compute ratios to determine variables such as lighting, shutter angles, filter factors, and camera distances.
AI: Fully automatable - Computational tools and AI can read charts and compute lighting, shutter, filter and distance ratios precisely and recommend correct settings automatically.
Stay current with new technologies in the field by reading trade magazines.
AI: Fully automatable - Aggregating, reading, and summarizing trade publications and flagging relevant technological developments can be fully automated with current AI tools.
Prepare slates that describe the scenes being filmed.
AI: Fully automatable - Generating descriptive slate metadata is a routine, template-driven task that AI can fully produce automatically from shot lists and scripts.
Write new scripts for broadcasts.
AI: Fully automatable - By 2025 large language models can generate complete broadcast scripts to brief and style specifications with minimal human input.
Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
AI: Partial - AI and robotic camera systems can automate routine or tracked camera operations, but full creative camera operation for television and motion pictures still requires human responsiveness and collaboration with directors.
Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors.
AI: Partial - AI can recommend composition, framing and technical settings and can control robotic rigs for simple setups, but complex director-driven compositional and lighting decisions remain primarily human tasks.
Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.
AI: Partial - AI can perform many non-linear editing tasks—assembly cuts, syncing, rough cuts, color grading and QC—but full creative broadcast editing and final editorial judgment still require human editors.
Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
AI: Partial - Physical manipulation and creative real‑time adjustments can be partially automated with robotic heads and presets, but fine tactile control and on‑the‑fly artistic judgment still require humans.
Operate zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
AI: Partial - AI can control motorized zooms and follow programmed moves or vision-based tracking, but nuanced real-time creative adjustments during rehearsals still require human judgement.
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.
AI: Partial - AI can assist with planning, generate shot lists and simulate options, but nuanced interpersonal negotiation and final creative decisions with crew remain human responsibilities.
Download exposed film for shipment to processing labs.
AI: Partial - Automated digital ingest systems can copy and catalog exposed media for shipment, but physical handling and packaging of analog film for processing still typically requires human intervention.
Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.
AI: Partial - Remote/robotic camera systems and automated switching can perform many live shots, yet complex live direction, unexpected events, and high‑stakes judgement calls still need human operators.
Set up cameras, optical printers, and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects.
AI: Partial - Digital and automated effects workflows can replace many processes, but physical setup of cameras/optical equipment and bespoke special‑effects rigging remain partly manual.
Assemble studio sets and select and arrange cameras, film stock, audio, or lighting equipment to be used during filming.
AI: Partial - AI can design optimal set and equipment layouts and assist selection, but assembling sets and physically positioning gear continues to require human labor and on‑set adjustment.
Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition.
AI: Partial - Automated diagnostics and testing for broadcast equipment are mature, but routine cleaning and hands‑on repair/maintenance still need human technicians.
Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
AI: Partial - Autonomous and remote rigs can operate stationary, track, or crane mounts for many moves, but complex or creative camera operation across mounts often still requires a human operator.
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.
AI: Partial - AI can assist with configuration, routing, and on-site editing workflows, but setup, driving, antenna deployment and complex RF troubleshooting for ENG vehicles remain largely human tasks.
Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.
AI: Partial - Computer vision can spot technical problems and suggest lighting/coverage, but situational awareness, safety assessment, and creative judgement about a location are not fully automatable.
Instruct camera operators regarding camera setups, angles, distances, movement, and variables and cues for starting and stopping filming.
AI: Partial - AI can generate detailed camera setups, angles, distances and cueing from scripts and footage analysis, but cannot fully replicate the real-time leadership and interpersonal direction provided by experienced humans on set.
Direct studio productions.
AI: Partial - AI can propose shot lists, blocking and timing and assist decision-making, but directing a studio production requires human creative leadership and real-time coordination that AI cannot fully replace.
Design graphics for studio productions.
AI: Partial - AI can produce broadcast-ready graphic assets and mockups quickly but typically needs human design oversight for brand conformity, animation polish, and integration into live workflows.
Reload camera magazines with fresh raw film stock.
AI: Not automatable - Reloading physical film magazines requires delicate manual dexterity and contamination control that is not widely automatable as of 2025.