Is your dream recording live events or working in small-scale video productions? If so, then maybe a profession in videography is right for you. A videographer focuses on smaller productions such as short films, documentaries, weddings, sporting events, and commercials, among other tasks. As a videographer, you may work alone for smaller productions with a single-camera setup or a small lighting team and sound technicians.
As you continue reading through this article, you will learn what it takes to be a good videographer and how you should craft your resume to reflect your skills.
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Job Duties of a Videographer
Videographers function as a one-person filming crew. They are responsible for planning, filming, and editing videos for various projects such as advertisements, movies, or television shows, while also ensuring that the necessary filming equipment is available for use, directing other camera operators on set, and editing film footage.
Let’s discuss other primary duties of a videographer:
Filming videos on sets or locations.
Ensuring that equipment for a shoot is available and in working condition.
Planning and preparing the shoot with the creative team and the client.
Editing footage in post-production.
Adding captions, graphics, or other special effects to the final cut.
Directing other camera operators.
Setting up and tearing down cameras, lighting, audio recorders, microphones, and props.
Preparing background film or “B” rolls and the live feed.
Completing troubleshooting and preventive maintenance reports on audio and video production equipment.
Videographer Median Salaries
According to the software and data company, Payscale, a videographer can earn on average $45,100 per year for their work. However, different factors such as location, experience, and production budget may impact salary. With the opportunity to work as a freelancer or in a corporate environment, a videographer’s career has a positive outlook.
Top Skills for Videographers
A videographer’s skills may vary depending on the work. However, some of the top skills needed are consistent throughout the field. Whatever you choose to work on, you are sure to enjoy the creative challenge that you may face.
The top six skills that you need to become a successful videographer are:
- Camera shots expertise: A good videographer should have a basic understanding of the classic types of camera shots based on attributes like shot framing, shot size, camera movement, camera mechanisms, and depth of field. Only a videographer who knows the camera well can produce an impactful video.
- Expert in Adobe Creative Cloud: A videographer should have mastery over Adobe Creative Cloud, a fantastic tool that will give you access to a collection of 20-plus desktop and mobile apps and services exclusively used for design, photography, web, video, UX design, and more while allowing you to transform their videos into soulful realities. It is a complete video production package for all videographers.
- Good at managing production teams: It is the responsibility of the production team to elevate content production while maintaining quality and lowering costs. As a videographer, you must lead these efforts alongside your team by coming up with a standard production strategy. Recruiters always consider a videographer with good production management skills to be an asset to their company.
- Editing skills: A videographer with editing skills is sought after by recruiters. With your editing skills, you can work from the beginning to the end of the video production without depending on a video editor. This skill will save the employer money that will leave a good impression.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and other online collaborative spaces: While working as a videographer, you might need to use Microsoft Office in many instances. Without a thorough knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, you might lag behind your work. Using Microsoft, you can keep your files and folders in a well-structured and organized manner. Many production companies also now use Google Workplace to work with other people remotely, so make sure you know how to use Gmail, Google Docs, and other associated Workplace products.
- A creative mind: Apart from the technical skills, you need to be creative to produce high-quality videos that appeal to viewers. Your storytelling ability should immediately capture the audience’s attention and make them want to see more. This will be possible only if you have a critical mind that thrives on your creativity.
Educational Requirements for Videographers
DegreeVideographers should be experts with a camera but will also require formal education to be able to work. You can begin with an associate degree in video production or go on to take a bachelor of arts degree in film or television production. Also, choosing courses like cinematography or video editing will help you learn other valuable skills in camera operation, shot composition, technique, and lighting.
To further your education, you can also get a master’s degree in any of these fields. The NYU Tisch School of the Arts (TNYU), University of Southern California (USC), and California Institute of the Arts are some of the best film schools where you can learn everything about film and video production and fulfill your dream of becoming a videographer.
CertificationCertifications are not required when working as a videographer. Still, you can opt for continuing education certificate programs offered by institutions like the University of North Georgia or take courses through online platforms like Udemy or Skillshare. And if you wish to train yourself in industry-specific software, you can do classes in Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve, among others.
Videographer Resume-Writing Tips
Having a unique resume that makes you different from other applicants is what finally gets you to the job-winning interview.
Here are three tips on how you can impress the recruiter with your videographer resume:
Highlight your technical knowledge.When it comes to videography, employers will expect you to be tech-savvy. You will need to work on various technical aspects of video production that require specialized knowledge. Therefore, you should show your expertise in this field by mentioning the software you have used.
For example, you can write something like, “Worked with video editing software programs such as Adobe, Cinema 4D, and Photoshop,” in your resume. This will show the recruiter that you are an expert in video editing and production software.
Mention your videography-related skills.Being a videographer, your excellence with camera shots and angles is not enough. You need to be a versatile person to go further in this field. Employers prefer videographers who have expertise in other areas like animation, video editing, direction, and photography. So, if you are good at any of these related skills, don't hesitate to mention them in your resume. You can do this by adding phrases like, “Worked on 10-plus projects as a shooter and editor,” or using keywords like “Photography Skills,” “Directing b-rolls,” and more.
Avoid general statements.You should always be careful about the information you provide in your resume. Ask yourself these questions:
“Is this relevant to the position I am applying for?”
“Does this achievement sound authentic?”
You need to add specific details to your resume rather than writing up something that seems to be a general statement. Choosing specificity over generality adds authenticity to your claims. For example, instead of simply writing, “Managed pre-production tasks,” you can add specific details and write, “Managed pre-production tasks including developing content plans and overall messages for more than 50 projects,” which is genuine and authentic.
Do videographers need to know video editing?
Even though a videographer’s job revolves around capturing footage and maintaining equipment, it is always better to have proficiency in video editing. Employers mostly prefer videographers who have basic video editing skills and who can work on different editing software. Whether you are a freelance videographer or working for an organization, you don’t have to depend on a video editor to get the job done if you can edit the video yourself.
Can you become a videographer without a degree?
It is possible to become a videographer without a degree, but most people earn at least an associate or bachelor of arts degree in film or video production to enhance their creative and technical skills. Employers also prefer videographers who have a formal education.
How is videography different from cinematography?
The main difference between cinematography and videography is in the execution. Cinematography is more about the art and science of making a movie, while videography is primarily about shooting and recording an event. The former is mainly intertwined with the art of storytelling, while the latter is about capturing and recording events and proceedings with material constraints and limited resources.