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Who is a Videographer?
When shooting in real spaces the work of a cinematographer begins where location meets production design meets time-of-day. No movie light will ever look as real as the sun, so scheduling becomes truly paramount to naturalistic lighting ~ Rachel Morrison
A Videographer is a highly skilled and creative professional who is responsible for filming or videotaping events, and ceremonies such as weddings. An individual in this career is an expert in producing documentaries, short films, legal depositions, sporting events, advertisements and product demonstrations. The Videographer holds the art of storytelling through visuals and photography in a motion picture.
The Videographer’s primary aim is to plan, direct, film and edit the video content as per the client's requirements for various media platforms. An individual is required to work closely with team members such as light operators, sound mixing and recording to produce video content. A Videographer is expected to make artistic and technical decisions related to the image.
Quick Facts for Videographer
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Industry
Entertainment, Media
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Average Salary in India
₹42500
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
Anyone with a strong interest in capturing pictures and videos can choose to become a videographer. Videography is a demanding job which requires you to possess artistry, advanced technical knowledge and team management skills.
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Any special needs
Yes
Videographers are expected to work in various real locations ranging from forests to mountains or rivers. Hence, it can be a cumbersome process for physically disabled people to get along with the work. Although, anything can be achieved after all the sky is the limit.
Table of Contents for Videographer
What is the role of Videographer?
Individuals who opt for a career as a videographer are responsible for performing several responsibilities such as selecting a camera, film stock, lenses, and filters to depict the scene as per the intentions of the director. They are also responsible for managing the camera and lighting crew and supervising the selection and manipulation of technical tools to create phenomenal images on the screen.
The role of videographers is to make decisions related to aspect ratio, digital effects, image contrast, and frame rates. They also scrutinise the screenplay, conduct extra research on different styles, and patterns that relate to the subject matter of the script, and collaborate with the director to discuss their creative ideas.
Concept design
Videographer roles and responsibilities include collaborating with clients, directors, or producers to develop the aims or goals of the project. He or she helps in creative concept design and visual storytelling to get the look or feel of the video beforehand.
Quality control
The videographer chooses and approves crew, film stock, lab, equipment, second-unit, and visual-effects crews, and supervises the manufacture and testing of newly modified equipment. He or she visits the set under construction and approves wild elements, ceiling pieces and moving set pieces. A videographer also checks the lighting-fixture crew, locations and stages, and approves set colors and textures.
Testing
A videographer is required to shoot tests for style, lab, and lighting of principal actors, shoot tests for camera and lenses, shoot tests for wardrobe and makeup, and any special effects processes, unusual rigs, props or methods.
Planning
A videographer checks and approves all call sheets and shooting orders for the day’s work. He or she watches the rehearsal of the scenes and plans a shot list with the director. A videographer chooses the lens and composition, gets the director's approval, and makes sure composition and movement, fulfill the scene task.
Types of a Videographer
In this section, we have provided the types of Videographers or career options related to them with their job description.
Assistant Camera Operators: The roles and responsibilities of an assistant camera operator include providing support for quality control, processing, assembly, playout, and distribution activities for pre-programmed and live content, Video on Demand (VOD), and Over the Top (OTT) delivery. He or she works in both multicast and live sports environments.
Assistant Editors: As an assistant editor, an individual is required to conceptualise, shoot and edit a variety of stories, along with the educational script, that drive the organisation’s objectives. He or she often works under strict deadlines in an ever-changing production landscape and can juggle various projects, including coordinating pre-production work.
Tape Editors: The tape editors are the professionals who are required to execute the live webcast of the court session including operating a high-definition switcher, and more than four cameras (some robotic).
Television Camera Operators: Television Camera Operators are professionals who assemble, prepare and set up the equipment before filming. They plan the shots and practise the camera moves for pre-arranged shots. The Television Camera Operators solve technical solutions and repairs and maintain the equipment.
What is the workplace/work environment of Videographer like?
Individuals who opt for a career as a videographer are expected to work outside at real locations most of the time. Most of the work of videographers involves visiting outdoor settings and staying there for as long as the shoot demands them to. Videographers also work under unfavourable weather conditions and late-night shifts.
Depending on the project and the deadlines, videographers sometimes are required to work for months continuously in different sets of locations around the country or world.
Does Videographer require travelling?
Likely
Individuals in this career are required to work across various locations countrywide. Travelling is an essential part of the videographer's work. Depending on the demand of script and production houses, they can be working anywhere around the world. The travelling expenses are covered by the production house they work for, which includes travelling fair, accommodation compensation, food and beverages.
Time Pressure
Likely
Strict deadlines are taken quite seriously in the entertainment and media industries hence putting videographers under time constraints. Working overtime is a common in a videographer’s work schedule. Depending on the demand and schedule of a shoot, they generally work overtime.
How to become a Videographer?
Steps to become a Videographer
A Videographer is a skilled professional who captures content in video form, edits the footage and is involved in various production activities. If you are passionate and creative enough to plan, film, and edit videos then this career is a great option for you. Below we have provided the steps on how to become a Videographer in India.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Videographer?
When it comes to how to become a videographer in India, the first thing the individual must know about is the skills required for a videographer's career path. Some of the essential videographer skills that are required in this career are mentioned below.
Technical Skills: As a videographer, you must have the technical experience required to do the job right. You must have knowledge of what a good shot looks like and how to achieve it, which includes framing, staging, lighting, and the actual technology which should be used.
Creativity: Creativity is an essential part of a filmmaking and videography career, and it is impossible to make films without creativity. To work as a videographer you are required to invest your time in understanding the range of filmmaking specialities. An individual who opts for a career as a videographer must be creative and flexible.
Storytelling: The videographers spend hours, months and even years physically making a film, but there is no way they can make a successful film without having the skills in written and visual storytelling. As a videographer, you are required to understand the story you are trying to portray to create a story well throughout every element of the production.
Problem-Solving Ability: As a videographer, you are required to play many roles and you need to be responsible for every task your position requires. You should be able to contribute to every section by understanding how your work is affected and affects the work of everyone around you. Videographers are required to act as a leader whenever necessary.
Communication Skills: When you are a videographer working on set with countless other crew and cast members, having good communication skills is essential. Effective communication makes sure that everyone working on the production is on the same page and it also helps in explaining your artistic vision or clarifying your role in creating a film.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Videographer?
Internship Availability
Students can choose from a variety of internships available which requires different work and responsibilities for different projects in videographer jobs in India. In the internship, the students can work as interns assisting professionals in the field like the camera production team and learn various principles and techniques and activities that are required in this career.
Also Read: Career as Cinematographer
Videographer Jobs and Salaries
Assistant Camera operator
Reliance Industries Limited, Excelra Knowledge Solutions Private Limited
Contractual/Permanent
- Average Salary 40000
- Starting Salary 15000
- Junior Level Salary 15000
- Senior Level Salary 70000
Job Description
An assistant camera operator performs various tasks such as arranging filming locations, handling pre-interviews, obtaining filming permissions, and setting budgets. He or she collaborates with the Executive Producer and Manager of Operations to ensure efficient and accurate execution of all tasks, including being on the front lines with company executives, external physicians and Abiomed patients.
Salary Description
According to payscale reports, for an entry-level assistant camera operator with less than 1 year of experience, the average total compensation is somewhere around Rs.25,000 per month which includes bonuses, tips, and overtime pay. The mid-level salary for assistant camera operators is Rs. 35,000 per month. The top-level salary is somewhere between Rs. 70,000 to 80,000 per month.
Camera Operator
UTV Motion Pictures
Contractual/Permanent
- Average Salary 45000
- Starting Salary 25000
- Junior Level Salary 25000
- Senior Level Salary 80000
Job Description
The role of a camera operator includes providing support for quality control, processing, assembly, playout, and distribution activities for pre-programmed and live content. He or she plays a key role in the technical workflows to support distribution across linear, video-on-demand (VOD), and Over the Top (OTT) delivery, working in both multicast and live sports environments.
Salary Description
For an entry-level camera operator with less than 1 year of experience, the average total compensation is somewhere around Rs.25,000 per month which includes bonuses, tips, and overtime pay. The mid-level salary for camera operators is Rs. 35,000 per month. The top-level salary is somewhere between Rs. 70,000 to 80,000 per month.
What is the job outlook for Videographer?
A videography course is one of the most prominent courses offered in the universities, hence it is expected to get very competitive in the future. The videographer career opportunities are expected to grow high in the upcoming years. The growth ensures that the competition remains fierce in this industry with new talent graduating every year and entering the field.
Frequently Asked Questions for Videographer
Que. What are the skills required to become a videographer?
Ans.A videographer must possess various skills such as technical expertise, creativity, photography skills, storytelling, problem-solving, communication skills.
Que. What are the two main elements of videography?
Ans.Videographer jobs in India comprises all on-screen visual elements, including lighting, framing, composition, camera motion, camera angles, film selection, lens choices, depth of field, zoom, focus, colour, exposure, and filtration.
Que. What exactly does a videographer do?
Ans.The videographer roles and responsibilities involve selecting the appropriate camera, film stock, lenses, and filters to accurately capture the intended scene as per the director's instructions. They are also responsible for managing the camera and lighting crews, as well as supervising the use of technical tools.
Que. What makes a good videographer?
Ans.Videographers lead the lighting and camera crew. While the educational qualification for the role is a different yet necessary step, it is important to have a tight grasp of the skills required to excel as a videographer.
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Did you know?
Fact 1
A standard reel of film that runs at 25 FPS is 1,000 feet long. These 1,000 feet of the film will produce about 11 minutes of footage.
Fact 2
The first moving picture cameras were invented towards the late 1800s, and movies were boring.
Fact 3
Most movie theaters these days use digital video projectors. The technology is called DLP which means Digital Light Processing.
Fact 4
Titanic came out in 1997 when film reels were still the only way to project a movie.
Fact 5
The Australian film The Story of the Kelly Gang was the first feature-length film in history.
