Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
female cameraman
English answer:
camerawoman / cameraman
Added to glossary by
Katalin Sandor
Oct 11, 2007 17:49
17 yrs ago
6 viewers *
English term
Hungary
female cameraman
English
Art/Literary
Cinema, Film, TV, Drama
This is not from a translation (not mine, anyway), but someone has asked (in a non-translation forum) for the correct term for the female equivalent of a cameraman. Suggestions included camerawoman - loads of Google hits, but would you actually use this, or is it just PC gone wild? Another one: cameraperson - what can I say? Or: cinematographer - which seems to be a broader term. Or director of photography - but that appears to be a position in a particular movie rather than a profession as such. Or camera operator.
What is the term you would use, say, in your CV if you had such a job?
What is the term you would use, say, in your CV if you had such a job?
Responses
| 4 +6 | camerawoman / cameraperson / camera |
Tony M
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| 4 +7 | camera operator |
Mark Berelekhis
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| 5 +4 | camerman |
Buck
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| 4 +3 | videographer |
juvera
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| 4 | camera |
Noni Gilbert Riley
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Responses
+6
38 mins
Selected
camerawoman / cameraperson / camera
It really all depends on the feelings of the individual concerned; some people regard 'cameraman' as a job title to be sufficiently gender-neutral — and look how many female actresses prefer to be called 'actor'!
One way round it, in a list of credits, at least, is simply to say 'camera'
It is VITALLY IMPORTANT not to change the term into 'camera operator', 'cinematographer', or 'director of photography', since all these terms have quite specific, different meanings.
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Note added at 4 hrs (2007-10-11 22:36:11 GMT)
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It is vitally important NOT to glibly regard 'camera operator' and 'camera(wo)man' as interchangeable — in our industry, they are QUITE DIFFERENT!
A 'camera operator' invariably works under a DoP — may in fact be merely one of a team; of course, a highly skilled rôle, but nonetheless, first and foremost, a technician.
Whereas the rôle of 'camera(wo)man' (except in the very narrow field of multi-camera studio TV) ofetn, indeed usually, implies someone who has responsibility for the whole of the visual 'look' of the production — it is all a question of how much of a hand the director takes directly in the photograhpy. But especially in video, the camer(wo)man (or sometimes lighting-c/man) has a very high degree of responsibility / autonomy, and to describe them as a 'mere' c/operator is to do them a great disservice.
None of the refs. quoted is wrong: a c/op may very correctly be described as a c/man; but it is a gross error to infer the reverse — not all c/men are c/ops.
I'm sorry if I seem to be labouring the point here, but I think there is a lot of mis-information going on, and for once, I don't believe this is a UK/US thing — you need to have an intimate understanding of how the movie and TV industries work (as I do, in all humility) to understand the subtlety (but importance) of the distinction being made here.
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Note added at 17 hrs (2007-10-12 11:42:04 GMT)
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Here is the IMDB entry for 'camera operator':
"Camera Operator
AKA: Cameraman
The person who operates the camera to the specifications dictated by the director of photography. A director or a director of photography sometimes assumes this role."
Signifcantly, IMDB does NOT have an entry for 'cameraman', and does NOT say 'camerman AKA camera operator' — it is this lack of reciprocity in the two terms that I am at pains to point out.
Outside the world of 'cinema movies', responbility for photographing a documentary, TV programme, independent production, etc. often rests with one person, who is usually termed a 'cameraman' (or 'lighting-cameraman') and is very likely to do their own 'operating'. In this kind of field, the term 'Director of Photography' would usually sound rather pretentious.
One way round it, in a list of credits, at least, is simply to say 'camera'
It is VITALLY IMPORTANT not to change the term into 'camera operator', 'cinematographer', or 'director of photography', since all these terms have quite specific, different meanings.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2007-10-11 22:36:11 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
It is vitally important NOT to glibly regard 'camera operator' and 'camera(wo)man' as interchangeable — in our industry, they are QUITE DIFFERENT!
A 'camera operator' invariably works under a DoP — may in fact be merely one of a team; of course, a highly skilled rôle, but nonetheless, first and foremost, a technician.
Whereas the rôle of 'camera(wo)man' (except in the very narrow field of multi-camera studio TV) ofetn, indeed usually, implies someone who has responsibility for the whole of the visual 'look' of the production — it is all a question of how much of a hand the director takes directly in the photograhpy. But especially in video, the camer(wo)man (or sometimes lighting-c/man) has a very high degree of responsibility / autonomy, and to describe them as a 'mere' c/operator is to do them a great disservice.
None of the refs. quoted is wrong: a c/op may very correctly be described as a c/man; but it is a gross error to infer the reverse — not all c/men are c/ops.
I'm sorry if I seem to be labouring the point here, but I think there is a lot of mis-information going on, and for once, I don't believe this is a UK/US thing — you need to have an intimate understanding of how the movie and TV industries work (as I do, in all humility) to understand the subtlety (but importance) of the distinction being made here.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 hrs (2007-10-12 11:42:04 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Here is the IMDB entry for 'camera operator':
"Camera Operator
AKA: Cameraman
The person who operates the camera to the specifications dictated by the director of photography. A director or a director of photography sometimes assumes this role."
Signifcantly, IMDB does NOT have an entry for 'cameraman', and does NOT say 'camerman AKA camera operator' — it is this lack of reciprocity in the two terms that I am at pains to point out.
Outside the world of 'cinema movies', responbility for photographing a documentary, TV programme, independent production, etc. often rests with one person, who is usually termed a 'cameraman' (or 'lighting-cameraman') and is very likely to do their own 'operating'. In this kind of field, the term 'Director of Photography' would usually sound rather pretentious.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
moken
: Hi again Tony. I think it's better that I withdraw my peer comments. FYI, I've added a couple of comments in the 'ask' boxes. Hope my contribution wasn't entirely useless! :O) :O)
52 mins
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On the contrary, you ref. entirely supports my argument: a c/op works UNDER a DoP, whereas a camer(wo)man is (usually) the one in charge
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| agree |
Craig Meulen
1 hr
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Thanks a lot, Craig! Your support is appreciated!
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| agree |
Nesrin
: I don't understand why "camerawoman" is pc gone mad. Policewoman works, as does businesswoman, saleswoman, etc. For me, a cameraman is a man (but it may just be me)
1 hr
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Thanks, Nesrin! I tend to agree, but in the biz, we're not quite so fussy, and there is a PC backlash (cf. actor / actress)
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| agree |
Jennifer Levey
: I agree above all with your comments about different job titles - although I much prefer 'cameraman'.
1 hr
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Thanks, M/M! Yes, I agree too, but after all, it is up to the individual concerned; I think that 'camerawoman' is 100% acceptable, if they prefer it.
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| agree |
Bernhard Sulzer
: as the "pendant" (c'est français) to cameraman (if so desired): camerawoman; also agree with the distinctions you pointed out.
4 hrs
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Thanks a lot, Bernhard!
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| agree |
Elena Aleksandrova
11 hrs
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Thanks, Elena!
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| agree |
kmtext
: I've met quite a few female cameramen over the years, and way back, I was a camera operator myself - a trainee under the supervision of a cameraman. I was talked through setting up shots and actually pressed the buttons, but the cameraman was in charge.
12 hrs
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Thanks, KMT! And I've trained quite a few... Your contribution is very interesting.
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| neutral |
Anna Quail
: Hi Tony - I can't give you an official 'agree', as I don't know, but this is definitely a case of expertise vs web references, so I think the asker should trust you on this one. If she still has doubts, she should check your CV ;-))
14 hrs
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Thanks a lot, Flo! It's not as if what I'm saying contradicts any of the web refs., it's just that people are choosing to interpret those backwards!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "First of all, I am grateful for the input from all the contributors. This was not an easy decision. The points could have gone to Buck or Tony M. I had to pick one - and Tony put in so much effort, and his arguments were the most convincing ones.
This is what I have concluded from this discussion: It should not be 'camera operator', as that is a lower-grade job. 'Camera' on a business card would look definitely odd... Cinematographer and DoP are not what we are looking for. Videographer has promise, but it may be ambiguous - I offered it to the original asker, in any event. Cameraman or Camerawoman - equally valid, depends on personal taste. (This is my very own understanding of what has been said, my apologies to anyone who may disagree.)
I have passed this on to the 'cameralady', so it's her turn to take her pick.
Thanks again."
+7
10 mins
Mark Berelekhis
United States
United States
Native in English
&
English
Specializes in field
United States
Exemplary quality, truly bilingual
Native in: Russian 
, English
Works in: Russian to English, English to Russian, English
Related KudoZ points
:
44
camera operator
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_operator
I'd use this. It's a perfectly standard job title, and you avoid all the PC issues.
I'd use this. It's a perfectly standard job title, and you avoid all the PC issues.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Michal Circolone
0 min
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Thank you, Michal.
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| agree |
AhmedAMS
2 mins
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Thank you, Ahmed.
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| disagree |
Tony M
: NO! This is dangerously inaccurate / Not at all, in our industry it has a specific meaning, which could seriously under-sell the individual concerned!
3 mins
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It's an individual operating a camera...
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| agree |
Jack Doughty
4 mins
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Thank you, Jack.
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| agree |
Can Altinbay
5 mins
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Thank you, Can.
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| agree |
Steffen Pollex (X)
6 mins
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Thank you, Steffen.
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| agree |
Alfa Trans (X)
55 mins
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Thank you, Marju.
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| agree |
Veronica Prpic Uhing
: http://www.mecfilms.com/moviepubs/memos/hats.htm
1 hr
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Thank you very much. For the link as well.
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| neutral |
moken
: Hi again Mark. Just to explian I'm pulling my comment as this issue seems to require a depth of industry knowledge I simply don't have. My ref stands in the "ask asker" boxes. Good luck! :O) :O)
1 hr
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Thank you, Alvaro. It is pretty obvious that 'camera operator' and 'cameraman' are interchangeable. It all comes down to a matter of PC.
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| disagree |
Jennifer Levey
: Definitely wrong. A 'camera operator' (basically a technician) works in support of a cameraman (a technical artist).
2 hrs
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All of the links provided (including imdb) contradict what you are saying.
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| agree |
ErichEko ⟹⭐
5 hrs
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Thank you, Erich.
|
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| agree |
Terence Ajbro
12 hrs
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Thank you, Terence.
|
16 mins
Noni Gilbert Riley
Spain
Spain
Native in English
&
English
Spain
The translator people turn to
Native in: English (Variant: UK)
Works in: Spanish to English, French to Spanish, English, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
8
camera
often referred to as such.
or: " on camera...."
or: " on camera...."
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Armorel Young
: Asker specifically wants something that can be used in a CV - I don't see how this could be
2 mins
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Reckon I cd work it in: wd depend on style of CV. But you have a point of course.
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| agree |
Tony M
: Yes, can be used, if context permits: for example, "jobs I have done on the following list of films... camera:... lighting:... , etc."
27 mins
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That was the angle I had on it. Thanks.
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| disagree |
Jennifer Levey
: Might, at a pinch, be OK in credits at the end of a show, but not in a CV.
2 hrs
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+4
1 hr
camerman
cameraman is gender neutral. It simply refers to a person operating a camera. Like chairman, it is a word that currently offends those who like to be PC, but it has nothing whatsoever to do with the gender of the person in question.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Tony M
: Yes, this has long been my own view, and that of most of the women camermen I know or have trained!
2 mins
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thanks
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| agree |
Patricia Townshend (X)
15 mins
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thanks
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| agree |
Jennifer Levey
: This is the term used by all the female cameramen I have had the pleasure to meet in 35 years in broadcasting. And they use it with pride!
1 hr
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thanks
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| agree |
kmtext
: All of the female cameramen I've met were more concerned with the job itself than the title attached to it.
12 hrs
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thanks
|
+3
5 hrs
videographer
Hopefully her name implies that the person is a woman.
In the olden days the person responsible for the physical creation of the pictures was the cinematographer.
Nowadays that role is divided between the director of photography, cameraman, etc.
The new breed working with wideos are the videographers, and as that's her media, I think it would not be out of place to give her this title.
"Strictly speaking, a videographer is a person who works in the video medium — recording moving images on tape, disk, or other electro-mechanical device, or even broadcasting live. On a set, he or she is responsible for the camera and lighting. As part of a typical field production crew, videographers usually work underneath a director. However, for smaller productions (e.g. corporate and event videos), a video videographer often works alone, or as part of a two or three person team of camera operators."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videographer
IOV | Institute of Videography : Find A VideographerIf employed on a freelance basis as a videographer....
www.iov.co.uk/showarticle.pl?id=51&n=130
Things to look for when engaging a videographer (or videomaker) are whether he or she is prepared to send you a demo. www.weddings.co.uk/info/video.htm
In the olden days the person responsible for the physical creation of the pictures was the cinematographer.
Nowadays that role is divided between the director of photography, cameraman, etc.
The new breed working with wideos are the videographers, and as that's her media, I think it would not be out of place to give her this title.
"Strictly speaking, a videographer is a person who works in the video medium — recording moving images on tape, disk, or other electro-mechanical device, or even broadcasting live. On a set, he or she is responsible for the camera and lighting. As part of a typical field production crew, videographers usually work underneath a director. However, for smaller productions (e.g. corporate and event videos), a video videographer often works alone, or as part of a two or three person team of camera operators."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videographer
IOV | Institute of Videography : Find A VideographerIf employed on a freelance basis as a videographer....
www.iov.co.uk/showarticle.pl?id=51&n=130
Things to look for when engaging a videographer (or videomaker) are whether he or she is prepared to send you a demo. www.weddings.co.uk/info/video.htm
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Tony M
: Yes, that could be OK, too, but usually implies someone who is BOTH director AND cameraman // In the industry, tends to have a connotation of being rather 'looked down upon' — but it may yet catch on!
14 mins
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Thanks, Tony. I think the Wiki explanation takes care of the director. If it was my business card, I would go for it, it makes sense, and as a relatively new profession, it is also interesting.
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| agree |
ErichEko ⟹⭐
17 mins
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Thanks.
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| agree |
kmtext
8 hrs
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Thanks.
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Discussion
BTW Katalin, judging from the extra info you provided and definitions/explanations added below, it seems to me juvera's answer makes sense but once bitten twice shy...I'd rather leave it to the experts! :O)
'Camera Operator
AKA: Cameraman'
AKA = Also Known As. Please explain how 'Camera operator' (my suggestion), which is AKA 'cameraman/woman' (your suggestion) is being misinterpreted by 'certain contributors.' This logic is making my head spin.
Camera Operator
AKA: Cameraman
The person who operates the camera to the specifications dictated by the director of photography.
This original asker seems to encompass a bit of both.