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Digital Imaging Technician

Advising on the detail of TV and film footage to ensure quality production

How this role makes a difference

TV programmes, advertising, promotional videos, and feature films all shoot many hours of footage on digital cameras, in order to get the material they need for an excellent finished product. It isn’t only the acting that needs to be perfect, the framing of a shot, lighting, and unwanted reflections and shadows can all impact the quality of the work.

A digital imaging technician is an expert in digital film who can work on set advising the director of photography on brightness, contrast, and the effects of under or over-exposure. This role can also be based in a studio, where you review and colour footage. You could be the technician who ensures the quality of digital film being produced, helping to bring first-class entertainment to audiences.

The kind of work you’ll do

  • Advising on camera settings
  • Recommending on-set colour settings
  • Contributing to how creative goals can be met
  • Reviewing footage and preparing files for others to review
  • Managing the workflow from footage creation on set to editing
  • Maintaining quality control throughout filming
  • Data management
  • Ensuring maximum digital image quality
Useful skills
Decisive
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Precise
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the role

A love of digital cameras and video creation.

An understanding of what the different settings on a digital camera achieve.

A methodical approach to completing and reviewing work, with great attention to detail.

The ability to assess available options when you’re faced with a challenge and find the correct solution quickly.

A knack for using new technology and creating things on computers.

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- art, film, fashion and design

- gaming and technology

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per year *
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities

Your career could start in a film production house or digital services agency that specialises in providing film technicians on-set, film processing, and production services. Alternatively you could work for a rental house that hires out film camera equipment.

As your skills develop, you could opt to become a freelancer, working as part of the crew for films, television, and advertising. Or you could take on more responsibility in an agency, leading a team and teaching others about the digital film quality control process.

How to get into this role

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:  

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

Visiting or working on film sets could involve some very glamorous locations and a freelance career as a digital imaging technician could take you all over the world. On big feature films you will work as part of a team, with each person taking on different camera footage, while on smaller projects you could work independently. The tools of your trade are high-powered computers that have the processing power to handle many hours of high resolution footage.

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Digital Imaging Technician

Deloris Collins
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