Never stop gaining experience as you strive for a position in sports broadcasting.
As is the case with many jobs in the entertainment industry, the path to becoming a sports cameraperson is not streamlined. There are no industry-standard requirements for this job, but each prospective camera operator must build a strong educational and - perhaps most importantly - experience-based background to get a foot in the door. Even as you search for employment, sharpen your skills, build your resume and rack up as many sports industry contacts as possible.
Instructions
1. Focus your education on camera operation, videography and video production. Supplement this focus with courses in computer technology, digital journalism and digital photography. If possible, take classes in sports journalism, mass communication and post production. Though there is no standard degree requirement for sports camera operators, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recommends that all camera operators obtain at least a bachelor's degree.
2. Participate in sports during your educational career, whether as a player, commentator, assistant or journalist. To produce the best sports coverage, you have to find the right moments; to identify these moments on the fly, you need to become intricately familiar with the rules of any game you film.
3. Get in touch with your school's athletic or broadcasting departments to begin filming your school's sporting events. While in school, join any videography or filmmaking clubs you can; few things will better prepare you for a career in camera operation than actually operating camera. Subscribe to videographic newsletters and magazines - in both physical and digital formats - to keep up-to-date on the latest technologies and techniques.
4. Keep in shape by joining a gym and attending regularly. Though some sports cameras are stationary, it will behoove you to be in peak physical condition, allowing you to follow fast-paced action.
5. Brush up your skills with online courses. Enroll in online video bootcamps that cater to sports camera operators. Accent this knowledge by taking online courses in the latest and most popular film editing software; versatility will heighten your value in the eyes of employers.
6. Shoot non-sports projects in your free time. Shooting experience is perhaps the most valuable asset to a cameraperson. Increase you skills in planning shots, shooting handheld, shooting from a tripod, pulling focus, finding the action and framing. Become comfortable shooting from all distances on the fly.
7. Create a resume that highlights not only your professional credits but your relevant sills, such as communication skills and sports-related experience. Be sure to include sports videography experience prominently, listing the year or season and type of event and your position. Include past production-related jobs and note any experience in the ancillary fields of lighting or editing.
8. Contact area employers, including news networks, television stations, universities and any local professional sports clubs or stadiums. Send out resumes and follow up with each prospective employer. Contact the Local 600 International Cinematographers Guild (cameraguild.com) nearest your region - they have offices in Hollywood, New York, Chicago and Miami - to inquire about any sports camera work available in your area.
9. Take on internships or lower-level production work, such as work as a production assistant, if your job search isn't immediately successful. This allows you to observe working sports camerapersons, make contacts and build your resume as you continue your job search.
