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Up Close & Virtual® with Carrie Richard,
Free-Lance Camera Operator for companies such as Fox Sports, E! Entertainment & CNN takes time to tell us what it’s like to work in the fast paced, ever-changing entertainment industry. She tells about her job, the real inside tips to breaking in to the entertainment industry and the rewards of her profession. Her advice: always act professionally, put out the best possible product, network as much as possible, never burn bridges and be willing to work at times you don’t want to in order to keep in the game!
Tell us about your company, your area of expertise, responsibilities.
I am a freelance camera operator for various television studios so I do not have one employer--I have a few! I have worked in many different areas in terms of production--audio and camera as well as an assistant to a Director/Writer/Photographer and in Public Relations.
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Describe a day in your professional life...
It depends on where I work and for what show--some shows are taped while others are live and with a studio audience. Today for instance, my shift was from 3pm ’til 7pm and I did a one hour taped show (to be aired at a later date) and a one hour live show from 6-7pm. I arrived at work just before 3pm and headed into the studio. The cameras were already being chipped (checked to see if they all match so that a person doesn’t appear green on one camera and red on another) and were set up in front of the set. At 4pm the two guests arrived for the show to be taped and I put my headset on to get directions from the director--each camera was to shoot a different individual. I was in charge of shooting both guests (separately, each alone in frame) while the other two cameras had group shots and a shot of the host, respectively. The one hour taping took approx. 45 minutes (no commercials). We had a one hour break and repeated the process at 6pm except that it was
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How is technology impacting the nature of your work and how you do your work?
Not so much yet, but it is in other areas...there are just more types of cameras out there now.
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Was there a lesson or skill learned from your first job that has been invaluable on your career path?
My first job in this industry was for little money and was non-union. The benefit was that I could learn different facets of production such as audio, studio pedestal camera, jib camera (camera on a long arm--you see them at award shows and the like), commercial operations, writing, lighting, tape operations, etc. Most union gigs keep you in one specific area of expertise. Luckily I was able to learn about a few things and find my nitch.
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Has Higher Education been important in your career path? What educational advice would you give to viewers? Tell us the path you took to where you are today.
No, higher education has NOT been important in terms of the path I have taken--however--I currently attend graduate school for creative writing. The primary reason I did it was so that if I ever switch occupations, someone looking at my resume won’t think I am just a robot behind a camera who can’t think for herself. This way I can at the very least, prove that I have intelligence--it also gives me a back-up in terms of jobs. With a MA I can teach English and quite possibly creative writing. I can tie it in to screenwriting/television. It just makes me more well-rounded and diverse. It shows I can do a multitude of things and don’t just possess one skill. Plus--my hours give me a lot of free time so why not take advantage of it and learn something??
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What is your work ethic, and how did it develop? Why do you get up to go to work everyday? What inspires you?
For one thing--the industry I am in, and especially my area of expertise, is predominantly male. While at times I find it difficult to break in, once I get on a job I usually keep it. My work ethic has always been to show that I am just as good if not better than the next guy, to always act professionally, and to put out the best possible product on the airwaves. I have to say--operating camera is not the most CHALLENGING of occupations but it’s quite entertaining and I get to meet the most fascinating people--from actors and actresses to heads of state. Since I work in sports, entertainment, AND politics/news--it’s rewarding. I go to work each day out of enjoyment AND because of the money! Freelancing pays very well when you work and gives you the free time to do other things (such as school, travel, etc.). If I don’t want to work and want to go on vacation for instance--I can at the drop of a dime. I essentially choose to say yes or no to jobs as
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What advice would you give to potential job applicants to help them succeed in the ever-changing global marketplace?
In terms of the entertainment industry--I highly recommend just taking whatever job comes your way. 99 % of the time you’ll move up fast because the industry is always in flux with people moving in and out. I recommend taking a job as a Personal Assistant on a set or in a production office, even at a literary or talent agency--feel out the different areas within the industry and you’ll find your nitch. Just like any job--you may THINK you want to be a talent agent but find out that you are more suited to work as a set designer--who knows!
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Do you have suggestions of any professional associations, trade journals, periodicals, events, etc. that someone pursuing a career in your field should be aware of &/or attend?
I would recommend purchasing the Hollywood Creative Directory (can be found at Samuel French bookstore in Hollywood or Studio City)--it’s filled with addresses of production companies--I sent out over 100 resumes to addresses from there out of college and got about 10 replies--including my first job at ESPN. Also, check out the Hollywood Reporter--the print version AND the online version... As for a good website, visit www.media-match.com
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Are there any emerging trends in your industry/company that will impact your hiring criteria?
Not sure about this one--my industry is all WHO you know and not WHAT you know--but once you are in--it’s WHAT you know! I would suggest networking as much as possible. Never burn bridges and be willing to work at times (hours, days) you don’t want to in order to keep in the game.
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Tell us about your Corporate Diversity/Women’s Programs: What is your company doing to educate employees on valuing diversity in the workplace?
FYI: Our viewers overwhelmingly state that Corporate Diversity Programs are important in attracting them for employment. Because I freelance and am considered a daily hire--I do not know what the companies I work for are doing to further corp. diversity. Just the fact that as a woman among a bunch of men--I AM the Diversity!!
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What women have inspired you on your career path? How?
Surprisingly, woman my age tend to be the most inspiration. I even notice now that the woman coming into the industry younger than I are more driven. When I see women striving to get ahead and doing so, even in different areas of expertise--to see people excited about their jobs--that’s a tremendous inspiration. It makes me want to work even harder.
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What challenges have you faced in business because you are a woman? Share your strategies for overcoming them.
As I mentioned before--I am in a predominantly male field. Watch any television show or movie and look at the credits--you’ll be hard-pressed to see a woman’s name under "Camera Operator." I occasionally find it difficult to get into a company because I am a petite female--people tend to think I can’t handle "big" cameras...but once I DO get in, I work hard and prove myself. Sometimes I just get lucky like everyone else and get the job based on need...
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How do you maintain balance in your life? or Do you?!
I go to school for one thing--I believe furthering my education is valuable, it keeps me on top of things. Also, since my schedule is not the typical 9-5 grind, I have a lot of "me" time. I went the the beach today as a matter of fact! Nothing like running errands in the middle of the day on a Wednesday when everyone’s at work, heading in to work for a few hours, and being off in time for dinner!
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Share your Favorite Inspiration Quote or Words of Wisdom:
Live, Think, and Act for today, tomorrow may be too late.
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Tell us about your latest career-related projects:
I was working as a ghost writer (donated my time) at a PR firm in Westwood but that just ended. I also just completed my first novella for graduate school--110 pages! Work gives me fodder for my writing.
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Thank you Carrie Richard for sharing your insights and experience!
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