Qualifications
You don't have to go to film school to become a sports camera operator. In fact, you don't even necessarily need a four-year college degree, although classes in television production and broadcasting, even if you just take them at the community college level, would probably help your case when it's time to hunt for a job.
No. What you really need to get into this career field is to know how to operate a camera. No duh, right?
There are many different ways you can pick up camera work experience. What's the simplest way? Log on to Amazon.com and buy yourself a GoPro. These itty-bitty cameras can be attached to anything, from your bike helmet to the wing of your airplane, and you can purchase one for the low, low price (relatively speaking) of $200.
The reason camera operators recommend using GoPro instead of your mom's ancient video camera from 1995 is that you can film action-y stuff in HD. As you figure out how to shoot from different camera angles and under different lighting conditions, you'll be building a portfolio of sports-related material that potential employers will want to see.
Other résumé-enhancing activities for wannabe sports camera operators include:
- Working or interning at a college television station (if you decide to go the college route) or at a local network affiliate
- Gaining experience as a control room operator. Essentially, you learn to work with the machines that turn what sports camera operators are filming into broadcast material.
- Gaining experience as a production assistant. You know the phrase "Lights, camera, action!"? Well, you're the minion who sets up the lights and the camera.
The long and short of it is that you don't go straight from GoPro newb to an ESPN camera-operating institution. This is a fairly technical job, and there are a number of areas you'll need to master before anyone will let you film your first game.