Camera Operator

AVE Standard | 1 Day | In-Person

Overview

Operating a camera at a live event is a skill that goes far beyond pointing and shooting. A good camera operator understands framing, movement discipline, how to communicate with a director under pressure, and what it means to be the kind of operator production teams want to call back. This course covers the fundamentals of live event camera operation with a focus on building the consistent, repeatable habits that make an operator reliable in any production environment. The emphasis is on craft and professionalism as much as technique.

This Class Is Right For You If...

• You want to add camera operation to your skill set and want to learn it correctly from the start.

• You've operated cameras on shows, and your technique has developed through trial and error.

• You're a video technician or AV generalist looking to specialize in camera work for live events.

• You're a production manager who wants operators on your team trained to a professional standard before they go on call.

Career Level

This course develops camera operation as a foundational, deployable skill for live production environments.

What You'll Learn

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Set up and configure a camera for a live event environment, including back focus and white balance.

• Apply professional framing principles for corporate and live event production.

• Execute intentional, controlled camera movement that supports the production.

• Work within a multi-camera workflow alongside directors, technical directors, and shader operators.

• Communicate clearly and efficiently on a headset during a live production.

• Develop the consistent habits and floor awareness that make operators reliable and rehirable

A Day in Class

Participants work hands-on with cameras throughout the day, moving through exercises that develop both technical setup skills and operational instincts. Instruction covers framing theory, movement discipline, and the communication habits that define professional camera operators, with significant time spent actually operating under simulated live conditions. Instructors observe and review participant work directly, with feedback on framing decisions, movement quality, and headset communication.

What You Leave With

Participants receive an AVE Camera Operator certificate of completion along with a personal reference guide covering setup workflows, framing principles, and show-day communication standards. This course is designed to give participants the foundation they need to start taking camera calls with confidence.

Reducing Risk

Untrained camera operators on a live show are a visible problem. Poor framing, unintentional movement, and missed shots reflect on the entire production team. On shows where cameras feed to large screens or are being recorded, operator quality directly affects the client experience. Trained operators deliver consistent, intentional work that elevates the production and requires significantly less correction from the director.

Instructor

Omar Colom, AVE lead instructor with extensive production experience operating cameras across corporate AV and live events.

Course Details

Duration: 1x day (typically offered across two consecutive sessions)

Format: In-Person, Hands-On

Class Size: Maximum 10x students

Equipment: 2x Panasonic cameras, a long lens, camera stands, an AJA recorder, back focus, and white balance test cards provided