A look at my existing skills which enable me to be a good camera operator.

1. Unit 22- LO2
Assessment of existing skills
Camera Operator
In orderto become a goodcamera operator,one mustpossessavarietyof skills,rangingfrom
writtenskills topractical productionskills.The skillsIhave gained,whichIfeel will contribute
towardsthe successof myrole as camera operatorare:
Written Communication
I have learnthowto create presentationsinsuchamannerthat makessure that the audience are
pinnedonwhatI have to say.This isa skill Ican use inmy jobas camera operatorbecause whenI
wantto give creative inputtothe director,I will be able toportraymy pointproperlyandclearly,
withoutcausinganyproblemsortakinguptoo much time - I can get my pointacrosseffectivelyand
efficiently.Thismaynotspecificallybe writtencommunication,howevermywrittenskillsare
transferable tothis.Igainedthisskill inUnit40 and Unit 41. In Unit40, I had to prepare a
presentation forthe whole class,andIkeptthe attentiononmyself,insteadof justreadingdirectly
off the PowerPointpresentation.Ialsogainedthisskill fromUnit41, inwhichI repeatedlyprovided
feedbacktothe director,andconsultedwithhim.Anotherwrittenskill Iamable to dois to readand
understandthingslike shootingschedulesandstoryboardsforaproduction,andestimate what
equipment,knowledge andtime wouldbe required.Forthis,Iwouldbe workingalongsidethe DOP
and the director,consultingthemtofindoutmore aboutthe storyboards,andthe mood thatthey
wantportrayedthroughcamera. I learntthisskill Unit41, inwhichI was workingalongside the
director,lookingatthe storyboards,andunderstandingmore abouthisvision,soIcouldshoot
exactlywhathe had inmind.
Verbal Communication
Verbal communicationskillsare essential inthe cameraoperationcareer.Thisisbecause,youneed
to be able to effectivelycommunicate withyourteam, whetheryouare informingthemof a
problem,oryouare offeringcreative input.Tobe a camera operator,Imust be able to presentmy
creative ideasconfidently,andbe able toalsosuitablyexplainanyproblemstopeople.Igainedthis
skill duringUnit40. This waswhenI pitchedmyUK filmideatothe class.
The main verbal skill Iwill needtobe a goodcamera operatoristhe abilitytoeffectivelyoffermy
creative feedback,sothateveryoneunderstandsthe pointIamtryingto make,If I am not able to
correctlyand effectivelyexplainmythoughts,thenIwouldnotbe successful atofferingmycreative
input/feedbackintothe project.Ilearntthisskill whilstshootingthe introductionscene forahorror
movie,inUnit41. I had to make sure I wasconstantlycommunicatingwiththe director tomake sure
he was happywithwhatI was shooting,sothata re-shootwasnotnecessary.Also,Iofferedhim
creative input,suggestionsandfeedback,whichwere usedtoimprove one ortwoshotsinthe
production.
Practical Production
I have the basic skill inhardware thatI will be usingwhenbeingacameraoperator.In my case,I am
goingto be operatingthe CanonXA10 – whichmeansImust have the abilitytoconfidentlyuse the
CanonXA10, in orderto shootthe bestpossible shotsthatIcan. I learnt how to operate the Canon
XA10 in Unit41, where I wasthe camera operatorfor our horrorproduction.Iwas able to shootthe

2. horror introsuccessfully.These skillshelptoportraythe desire emotionwithinascene,byhaving
the skillstomove the camerasmoothlyandaccurately,maintainfocus,andkeepthe composition
correct. Beingable toworkin a groupof people isanimportantskill Iwill needinordertobe a good
camera operator.Ihave to have the abilitytolistentodirection,butalsomake creative suggestions
too.
Creativity
Creativityisaveryimportantskill topossesswhenbeingacameraoperator.I must be able to
conveythe directorsvisionsuccessfullyoncamera.ThismeansIhave to be able to frame and
compose a shotproperlyinorder to conveymeaningandemotion.Imustalsobe able tosmoothly
move the camera inorderfor a professional lookingcinematicshot.Imustbe able tomanipulate the
camera settings,frame andcompose the shot,andmove the camerain sucha waythat conveys the
message thatthe directorwantsto conveyinthe final product.I musthave a good understandingof
howto use differentpiecesof equipment(suchascamerasand lenses) inordertocreate the right
look.I alsohave a goodsense of perspective movement,andcanuse my physical co-ordination
skills,inordertoshootthe perfectscene.These skillswere gainedduringUnit41, in whichIwas the
camera operatorforan introductionscene toa horror movie.Iwasable to shootdifferentscenesin
differentwaysinorderto conveydifferentlevelsof emotionwhennecessary.