First assistant operator

The first assistant camera operator is in charge of the camera on a film set. He sets it up, mounts it, and maintains it, and most importantly, he focuses the lens: during each take, he adjusts the focus remotely, down to the centimeter, while the actors and the camera are moving.

What does a first assistant camera operator do?

Before filming, he works with the director of photography to draw up a list of equipment: camera, lenses, filters, and accessories. He then checks all the equipment at the rental company and conducts camera tests.

On set, he sets up the camera and changes lenses for each shot. During rehearsals, he measures distances and places markers so he knows where to focus when an actor moves forward or when the camera moves. During the take, he monitors the scene on a screen or with his own eyes, with his focus controller in hand.

He supervises the second camera assistant, who loads the recording media, operates the clapperboard, and fills out the camera logs. At the end of filming, he returns the equipment to the rental company.

First or second camera assistant: What's the difference?

The first assistant camera operator is responsible for the camera and the focus of each shot. The second assistant helps him: he manages the recording media, the clapperboard, the markers, and the reports, and prepares the lenses.

The first assistant isn't the camera operator either: the camera operator frames the shot and operates the camera, while the first assistant ensures that the shot is in focus. On a small production, a single person can handle both assistant roles.

Who does the first assistant camera operator work with?

He works closely with the director of photography and the camera operator, following their choices regarding shots and camera movement. He communicates with the riggers when the camera is on a dolly or a crane, and with the actors to help them find their marks.

He also follows the first assistant director's instructions regarding the sequence of shots, thereby preparing the camera crew for the next shot.

What skills do you need to become a first assistant camera operator?

It requires a thorough understanding of cameras, lenses, and optics, as well as meticulous care in maintaining the equipment. Focusing also requires a natural instinct: anticipating movement rather than following it.

Finally, the job requires a cool head and concentration. A blurry shot is often unusable, and the first assistant must remain precise throughout long days of filming.

How much does a first assistant camera operator earn?

On a film set, the minimum wage for the first assistant camera operator is €1,364.56 gross per week, based on a 39-hour workweek. The minimum wage for the second assistant is €1,070.37.

These amounts are taken from the wage scale in the collective bargaining agreement for film production (IDCC 3097), effective as of May 1, 2026. For low-budget films listed in Appendix III, the wage is lower but is supplemented by a share of the film’s box office receipts. Television and advertising are subject to different rules.

The work is done on a film-by-film basis. For all film production occupations (ROME code L1505), France Travail reported 420 job openings over a 12-month period for 3,040 job seekers in the second quarter of 2026, and 97% of the hires were for fixed-term contracts lasting less than one month.

What kind of education is required to become a first assistant camera operator?

France Travail states that careers in cinematography are accessible to those with a high school diploma ( degree ) or a bachelor's degree (Bac+3) in film and audiovisual studies. People generally start out as interns or second assistants before moving on to become first assistants.

At ESRA, the ESRA Cinema program is a three-year course of study leading to a state-recognized “ degree ” degree at the Bac+3 level, with more than 700 hours of instruction per year and at least two productions per year, which are screened for a jury. In the third year, the cinematography specialization focuses on mastering camera work, lighting, and framing. In January 2024, ESRA became the first film school in France to be certified as an ARRI Certified Film School and acquired five ALEXA 35 cameras.

What career opportunities and prospects are there?

The first assistant camera operator works in film, television series, commercials, and music videos. He is often hired by the director of photography, who puts together his camera crew and works with the same team from one film to the next.

Some spend their entire careers as first assistants. Others become camera operators and then directors of photography.

Sources: Légifrance, collective bargaining agreement IDCC 3097, pay scale as of May 1, 2026; France Travail, ROME code L1505; ARRI, press release dated January 30, 2024. Verified on September 29, 2026.

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