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Camera Operator

Creative

Operate television, video, or film camera to record images or scenes for television, video, or film productions.

You can enter this career straight after SPM. A degree is optional, not required.

Creative Arts & Media

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Compose and frame each shot, applying the technical aspects of light, lenses, film, filters, and camera settings to achieve the effects sought by directors.
  2. 2Operate television or motion picture cameras to record scenes for television broadcasts, advertising, or motion pictures.
  3. 3Edit video for broadcast productions, including non-linear editing.
  4. 4Instruct camera operators regarding camera setups, angles, distances, movement, and variables and cues for starting and stopping filming.
  5. 5Adjust positions and controls of cameras, printers, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting.
  6. 6Confer 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.
  7. 7Operate zoom lenses, changing images according to specifications and rehearsal instructions.
  8. 8Observe sets or locations for potential problems and to determine filming and lighting requirements.
  9. 9Assemble studio sets and select and arrange cameras, film stock, audio, or lighting equipment to be used during filming.
  10. 10Read and analyze work orders and specifications to determine locations of subject material, work procedures, sequences of operations, and machine setups.
  11. 11Set up and perform live shots for broadcast.
  12. 12Use cameras in any of several different camera mounts, such as stationary, track-mounted, or crane-mounted.
  13. 13Test, clean, maintain, and repair broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working condition.
  14. 14View films to resolve problems of exposure control, subject and camera movement, changes in subject distance, and related variables.
  15. 15Direct studio productions.
  16. 16Set up cameras, optical printers, and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects.
  17. 17Read charts and compute ratios to determine variables such as lighting, shutter angles, filter factors, and camera distances.
  18. 18Set up and operate electric news gathering (ENG) microwave vehicles to gather and edit raw footage on location to send to television affiliates for broadcast.
  19. 19Write new scripts for broadcasts.
  20. 20Design graphics for studio productions.
  21. 21Stay current with new technologies in the field by reading trade magazines.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • MCO
  • UA Pilot
  • AAM Pilot
  • Cameraman
  • Filmmaker
  • RPA Pilot
  • UAM Pilot
  • UAS Pilot
  • UAV Pilot
  • Drone Pilot

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. Typical entry

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationAssociate's degree

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

EnglishDraws directly on English Language — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Bahasa MelayuDraws directly on Communications and Media — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
PhysicsDraws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • English Language87%

    English

  • Computers and Electronics81%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

  • Communications and Media77%

    EnglishBahasa Melayu

  • Telecommunications76%

    Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesComputer Science / ICT

  • Engineering and Technology58%

    PhysicsAdditional MathematicsDesign & Technology (RBT)

  • Public Safety and Security55%

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicVery high
  • Leading or coordinating othersHigh
  • Handling conflict situationsOften
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherEvery day
  • Time spent sittingA little

Where this job is heading

Newer tasks O*NET has flagged for this occupation, a hint at how the role is changing.

  • Operate drones to capture aerial or unique angle footage for film, television, or video productions.

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

3%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

Related careers

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org

Programmes that lead here

Programmes from the official UPU (KPT) and MQA catalogues whose field of study typically leads to this career. Matched by field, not a job guarantee.

Public universities (UPU)

Private institutions (MQA-accredited)

Search the programme catalogue