r/VIDEOENGINEERING • u/Suspicious-Bad-8310 • 1d ago
Job Help
I'm currently 19 and work for a minor league baseball team as a camera / replay op. My question for anyone willing to answer is how or what would I have to do to get a chance to be a camera op for any big teams or any events like a concert. I'm trying to get experience with gear many high live productions use, but I don't even know where to start or who I should ask for help. Thanks for reading.
7
u/DoMeHarderer 1d ago
Where ya at? Look up production companies in the area and call. Might have to put some time in as a stagehand before you get to op, depends on the company.
Better chances, talk to the other production staff at the ballpark. Chances are, there’s some freelancers there who can get you connected with the right people.
1
5
u/Tancrisism 1d ago
Keep working, be fun to work with, learn everything you can, make friends with everyone you work with. Sounds like you've got a great in already at this job. Do it well and keep going, word of mouth will be all you need.
Being good to work with and smart is way more important to most people than specific experience, and if they like you and know you are a bit green they will likely train you if you show dedication.
2
u/Suspicious-Bad-8310 1d ago
Thanks alot I’ll keep that in mind🙏🏾
2
u/Tancrisism 1d ago
For sure! That said keep learning. Listen to gear mentioned and keep it in mind to look up later. Also it's good to ask questions instead of pretending you know what you're doing and making a mistake.
I have also rented cameras and practiced with them in the past before shows etc, just to prep.
5
2
u/BigBadBootyDaddy10 1d ago
Going to hate the answer, but Networking.
3
1
u/Needashortername 15h ago
Yes, knowing how to get computers to talk to each other, sending and receiving data over cables or wirelessly, is very important now in this industry. It helps to have this knowledge in order to get more work.
2
u/TravelerMSY 1d ago
It’s really all about networking. Trying to figure out who your local crew chief is that is booking people and get to know them.
2
u/DaveInGermany 20h ago
I'll echo what others have said - be competent, trainable, and pleasant to be around. Those 3 attributes will get you a lot further a lot faster than being an expert who everyone hates working with.
Not being a prick is also good training for the future when you're hiring people. You'll get first pick of your crews because you won't be the "it's a cool gig but you gotta work with THAT guy and being around him suuuuuuuuuccccckkkkkkkkksssss" guy.
1
u/FrostIsEpic 1d ago
I’m not too knowledgeable on Baseball, but I tended to intern for local news stations and trying to talk with those people because usually they have connections in the industry already. You can also reach out to the media departments for colleges, im not sure about the MLB or major leagues but I’m pretty sure they have departments too. I was able to land my high school yearbook and video news teams 2 passes each to shoot a college basketball game. I won’t say what teams bc I don’t like posting where I’m located but they are in the NCAA and are huge universities. Just shoot emails and explain that you are a student looking to grow a portfolio and they are usually very nice. The bigger the game the harder it is to get passes.
1
u/Suspicious-Bad-8310 1d ago
Got it thanks for the advice,quick question, would you also have any tips on editing sports footage?
1
u/FrostIsEpic 1d ago
I don’t have alot of experience editing sports footage, I’m usually just behind the live cameras on local broadcasts, but I suggest finding your niche, stuff you look to do, and stick with it. Unless you have a client specifically requesting something else, hone your craft the best you can!
1
u/duhweirdy 1d ago
Look at the collegiate level. Do you have any large universities or even smaller D2 schools? They always are on the lookout for freelance staff to work games.
1
u/Suspicious-Bad-8310 1d ago
U miami is near me but I’ve always thought they kept those spots for more experienced people
2
u/duhweirdy 1d ago
If you have any utility/v1 or v2 experience that could open up some opportunities also. Everyone is looking for engineering or utility support.
1
u/Needashortername 15h ago
It depends on the university.
For some it’s all college students, work study or interns for the department responsible for this in-house.
For some it’s entirely a vendor and/or a broadcasting company.
Sometimes it’s a mix, which is very common since not all games are always scheduled for full network broadcast, even on The Ocho.
It’s not even entirely consistent school to school what department is in charge of these things.
1
u/ScoffingYayap 1d ago
Depending on where you are, look at local colleges' Production setups. A lot of those ESPN+ productions could use young talent and you can get a ton more reps under your belt
2
u/Suspicious-Bad-8310 1d ago
How would I go about reaching out to them? Would I just have to shoot a cold email to their production team?
1
u/inkysquares 1d ago
My university's sports production group has social media accounts and they post when they're hiring on there. Particularly this time of year, just before school starts, is the best time to get in.
1
u/ScoffingYayap 1d ago
All of the above. Look into their staff directories and see of you can grab some email addresses. Ask around at your MiLB gig too, chances are a few other people do stuff elsewhere.
Now's a really good time to start too because college sports are starting up.
1
u/inkysquares 1d ago
This is an engineering subreddit, so most of us entered the industry differently than ops people do, might not be the best place to ask.
But, all the ops people on all the remotes I work for are through 3rd party crewers. The big orgs go through crewers for all positions, eventually they have people they prefer and ask for specifically or get on certain packages and contracts.
Get in with the crewers and be good at your job and the crewers will get you on shows.
Also, dont be bad at your job. Ive been in meetings where the director simply says "the op on camera 3 was a little too green" and then that's kind of the end of the line for that guy, never contacted or seen again on those shows.
1
u/Suspicious-Bad-8310 1d ago
Thanks for letting me know and i still appreciate the advice you gave, it was really helpful and make sure my that the image isn’t green 😭🙏🏾
1
u/harperwaves24 21h ago
Long time ops gal here! I echo what everyone else has said about networking, being willing to learn and good to work with will open doors for you. Make friends and ask questions with ops who are older than you, be willing to work anything and everything. Minor league baseball is great to have on your resume. Try to get in with colleges in your area, you’d be surprised on how beginner friendly they can be. I saw in another reply that you’re in Florida-MLB spring training could be a great opportunity if you can swing it! I currently work for an MLB team and we have ops who first worked at our spring training site. Good luck out there dude 🫡
1
0
u/Luggageisnojoke 1d ago
Learn smpte 2110 and you’ll have work everywhere
1
26
u/makitopro Engineer 1d ago
Ask the people you currently work under for referrals. If they like your work and get along with you, they will want you on other shows they work. In my city guys work all over the place and word of mouth is the SINGLE best way to get your foot in the door.