Film and TV drama
Camera trainee
Also known as: Camera assistant (mainly in TV documentaries and outside broadcasts)
What does a camera trainee do?
Camera trainees work with all members of the camera crew, but they usually work most closely with the second assistant camera (second AC) or clapper loader.
They help prepare the kit at the beginning of the job and may be involved with camera and lens tests. They might mark actors’ positions during rehearsals and keep records, camera logs and other paperwork ready for the edit.
Monitoring can be a big part of the role; setting up the monitors, cables and wireless. If there isn’t a dedicated monitor operator, it becomes the role of the trainee. Experienced trainees may also be asked to take on the responsibility of using the clapperboard, changing camera batteries and helping the focus puller (first AC).
The scope of the job changes depending on the size of the production. They might start out making tea and coffee and getting the sides (printouts of the scenes to be shot that day) from the production office to the camera department. On bigger productions, they might help with the second unit camera, a camera set up to do secondary shoots while the main action is taking place elsewhere.
Watch
- ScreenSkills Camera trainee
- What I Learned Moving Up Through the Camera Department
- Inside Game of Thrones: a story in camera work – BTS (HBO)
What’s a camera trainee good at?
- Photography: have a good eye and understanding of composition, light, colour, focus and story-telling
- Watching film and TV drama: have a passion for the genre and a love of the industry
- Learning by watching and asking: observe the clapper loader and focus puller and ask questions at the appropriate moments
- Taking instruction: listen, do what’s asked, stay calm under pressure
- Reliability: get to set on time
- Communication: work well with crew members, write accurate and detailed camera reports
Tools of the trade
You will build up your kit over time. These items are useful to start with:
- Scissors
- Allen keys
- Cable ties
- Screw drivers
- Pens, Sharpies
- Notebook
- Head torch
- Bum bag to put them in
- Waterproof clothing
- Layers or thermals
- Walking boots or wellies
Who does a camera trainee work with?
Camera trainees mainly work with the clapper loader but they also come into contact with the focus puller, camera operator, director of photography (DoP) and the wider camera department.
How do I become a camera trainee?
ScreenSkills and the Guild of British Camera Technicians both run trainee schemes. Follow these steps for your best chance of being successful in an application.
At school or college:
If you want to go to university take A-levels or Highers in a combination that includes art, art and design or graphic communication with maths and physics. Or you might want to take a Level 3 vocationsal qualification. Look at what your local college offers such as:
- OCR Technical Diploma in Digital Media (Moving Image and Audio Production) 
- UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology 
- T level Media, Broadcast and Production 
- UAL Applied General Diploma in Art and Design 
- UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma in Art and Design 
- OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma in Art and Design (Photography) 
- T level Craft and Design 
Get an apprenticeship:
An apprenticeship is a job with training, so it’s a great opportunity to earn while you learn. However, it can be challenging to find jobs as an apprentice with production companies. But you might be able to find a job through that standard with an employer in another sector, such as a government department or digital media company. Think about taking that job, learning the core skills of photography and transferring those skills into film and TV drama at a later point.
Check out What’s an apprenticeship? to learn more about apprenticeships and Find an apprenticeship to learn how to find one in your region, or approach companies directly. Go to ScreenSkills information on apprenticeships for the main apprenticeship schemes in film and television.
Get a degree:
It’s not essential by any means, but if you want a degree, have a look at ScreenSkills’ list of recommended courses and select one in film and TV drama. We recognise courses with our ScreenSkills Select award where they offer training in the relevant software, dedicated time to building a portfolio and have strong links with the film and TV industries.
Become a trainee:
Apply to be a camera trainee or floor runner with ScreenSkills’ Trainee Finder scheme. There are also schemes offered by the Guild of British Camera Technicians.
Make a portfolio:
If you would like to become a DoP, or director or filmmaker, it might be worth creating and updating a portfolio, in the form of a showreel, of your work. Get as much experience as you can in photography, both still and moving images. Have a passion for making your own short films. Look at our advice on how to make a showreel. A showreel is essential for impressing admissions tutors and people in the film and TV drama industries.
Work for an equipment company:
Contact an equipment rental company like Panavision, Provision or ARRI Rentals. Ask if you can become a kit runner or driver for them. That way you will get to learn more about the kit and build up contacts.
Get work experience:
Contact video making companies and ask if you can do work experience with them. See our advice on approaching employers to learn how to do this.
Meet people in the industry:
Go to  ScreenSkills’ events, follow your local film office and any local community arts and media organisations and attend their events. Go to  how to network well for some tips. 
Network online:
Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there’s a Facebook page or other social media group for people making films or videos in your area. Join it and take part. Create a ScreenSkills profile.
Explore ScreenSkills Resources:
ScreenSkills careers information:
The your career hub has a wealth of resources designed to help you start or progress your career.
ScreenSkills e-learning:
ScreenSkills has a suite of  free e-learning modules for those who are over 18 which can improve your knowledge. The  ScreenSkills Passport modules also prepare you as they are essential for some production roles. Some modules are available for those under 18.  For anyone wanting advice about first steps, the  Getting into the screen industries  modules are very useful.  
ScreenSkills skills checklists:  
If you would like more detail about the tasks, responsibilities and skills required for many key roles in film and TV drama, children’s TV and unscripted TV you can look at our skills checklists. 
You might also be interested in…
Being a camera assistant in unscripted TV. This can give you a good grounding in working with cameras, but it’s different from drama.
