Unusual Mobile Crane Operator Jobs – The Film And TV Industry

You wouldn’t normally associate heavy equipment with the film and television industry, yet they do appear frequently on camera. What many people don’t realize is that cranes, particularly mobile cranes, are a common tool used behind the camera. For many directors, mobile cranes are used in preference to a wide range of specialist tools that are available.

Mobile cranes are a useful tool for quickly moving scenery, props and even whole buildings when required. Mobile cranes are also used to mount fixed cameras – the director is able to locate a camera exactly where required given the light and other factors present. A smaller version of a mobile crane is mounted on rails. This allows camera operators to smoothly follow the action, being raised and lowered as required.

The skills required to operate these cranes are no different to those required in general industry. It does take a well trained and experienced operator who has well developed skills to follow the precise directions of a film or TV director. The biggest difference is that, in general industry, a crane operator has all the time in the world to complete a task. In the film and television industry, a director expects a crane operator to act quickly, and to get it right first time, every time.

If you’re for a career with a difference, then perhaps a career as a crane operator in the film and television awaits. You will need to undertake mobile crane operator training first, and you will need to develop those skills through a general industry job. However, once you have honed your skills, you can apply for specialist positions within the film and TV industry – every operator has to start somewhere, they just need those fine skills.