Fresh out of university, A-Levels, or even if you’ve decided that you want to work as a camera assistant a little later on in life, it isn’t an instant rise to the top. From the constant LinkedIn posts, or the many “networking” events that you find out about, you still might not know what you should be doing once you get that first role. Those first few jobs can definitely feel a bit daunting, and not everyone can be prepared for what the TV world is like. However, what if there was a handbook of tips and tricks for someone entering these roles?
Studio Insider spoke with Bradley Potter, who during and after his three years studying Radio, Television and Digital Communication at Ravensbourne University in London has worked as a camera assistant with junior production roles for Crystal Palace FC, Olympics/Paralympics in Paris, and now working on the 2025 national cricket season. We talked about his experiences, what he’s learned over time and what he thinks is necessary when you’re just starting out.
How did it happen?
“At university there were loads of opportunities to work on different projects. Somebody who was at Ravensbourne about a decade ago was part of a company that was hiring people for a graphics role. They asked at Ravensbourne if they had any students who were willing to learn the new system that they’d created. I got the place, and I had the fantastic opportunity to go to Paris for the two weeks for tennis, which I worked on. Then I worked on the Paralympics as well. It was a really good experience, and from then it’s sort of how I got onto my current job, which is working on cricket. I met somebody in Paris and they asked me what I wanted to pursue. I said I wanted to get more into camera operating, and with that he said if I could email him later he’d put me in contact with somebody who handles the cricket.”
The average day as a camera assistant
“At the moment I’m predominantly working on the cricket, while the cricket is broadcasted by Sky Sports, it’s done by a company called EMG who work with Sky to help with the broadcast. You’ll have TX day, which is the transmission day, so that’s when it goes onto the telly. The day before is rig day. On rig day the trucks turn up, myself and three others would be there. We’d be the camera riggers. Then we work with the camera supervisor and the camera guarantee to go around the stadium, setting up the cameras. For the TX day, you’ll obviously have a camera operator for each camera. They’ll come in, adjust the cameras to how they like it. They’ll operate for the duration of the day, for big events like the cricket which are longer, there’ll be relief operators that will help cover the camera if they need the toilet or want to go get a drink or something. I go around helping the camera operators, and then everyone works together to put everything back in the boxes and then back onto the truck.”
Tips and tricks
“You have to know your technology, for whatever department you’re working with. Always try to pick up as much terminology as possible. I’m still learning myself, but when you’re on site people will use different terms for the same thing, if that makes sense. For example, with a tripod, some people say tripod, others say legs, different things. Try and take a good initiative. If someone looks like they’re struggling with something, then go over and give them a hand. Don’t be afraid to talk to people, everyone’s really friendly. Everyone started at the bottom and worked their way up to where they are now. Everyone knows how it is to be in that position. If you don’t understand something, just ask. Even if you feel like it could be a stupid question, because it’s better to ask and be told, rather than pretend. Or if someone asks if you’re okay with something they’ve told you, it’s best to be honest.”
“In five years time, I’d love to be a camera operator regularly on sports events, or even studio work. Hopefully I could build myself up to that. I’d love to work on World Cups, the Champions League, those sort of things I’d love to work on.”
Any advice?
“If you’re at university, wherever you are, you should try everything. Try and learn every bit of equipment, every department, if it’s sounds, if it’s cameras, try and soak all that knowledge in as much as possible. At some universities you can hire out equipment for free, use that as much and as well as you can, and don’t forget to be ambitious.”
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