Camera Assistant CV example

A camera assistant’s role is all about attention to detail and anticipating what the director of photography needs before they ask. The same approach applies to writing your CV: organising your details and making sure nothing vital is out of place.

In the next sections, you’ll learn about writing your CV in a way that makes hiring managers confident you’ll be a reliable part of their crew.

In production, an unorganised set slows everything down – and an unorganised CV structure has the same effect on a recruiter. A clear, consistent layout helps ensure your technical abilities and on-set experience stand out without being lost in clutter.

Here’s the layout to follow:

• Name and contact details – Place your contact info at the top so employers can get in touch easily.
• Profile – Kick things off with a concise overview of what makes you the ideal candidate for the job.
• Core skills – Briefly highlight those qualities which make you the best candidate.
• Work experience – List your previous roles in reverse chronological order, with your most recent first.
• Education – Go through the academic history which underpins your expertise.
• Additional info – This optional section can include professional memberships, awards, or hobbies and interests that showcase your suitability for the role.
  

Your format should aim for clarity and flow. Use bullet points to keep everything easy to skim, add clear headings for each section. Choose a professional, readable font. Keep its length to two pages maximum, but use spacing and layout to make the content easy on the eye.

Your profile should give the reader a quick but compelling sense of your background and the value you’d add to a production team. This means highlighting your experience, technical know-how, and adaptability – all framed in a way that shows why you’d be an asset on set. 

Any recruiters should be assured that employing you would provide genuine value to their production, and they should be impressed enough to want to read on further.

Make sure you include:

• Where you worked – Mention the kinds of productions you’ve supported, whether feature films, TV dramas, commercials, or documentaries.
• Your top qualifications – Note any relevant film, media, or technical training that underpins your abilities.
• Essential skills – Summarise your most relevant capabilities in a way that reflects the needs of the role you’re targeting.
• Specialist areas or equipment – Point out any particular technical areas or equipment you have extensive experience with.
• Value delivered – Explain how your contribution has kept productions running smoothly, met deadlines, or enhanced technical quality.
  

This section gives employers a quick snapshot of your capabilities, making it easy for them to match you to the demands of the role.

Focus on hard, tangible CV skills relevant to camera assisting – the kind that will be in the job description. Tailor these to the project type or production environment you’re targeting so your application feels highly relevant.

Your work experience should show how you’ve applied your skills on set to keep the production moving and support the creative vision. Demonstrating your reliability, technical competence, and ability to work under pressure is key.

List your roles starting with the most recent and work backwards. For each role, begin with a brief outline before using bullet points to detail your responsibilities and achievements. Emphasise the impact you’ve had on production efficiency and quality.

• Outline – Describe the production, your role, and the primary purpose of your work, mentioning who you reported to and the type of shoot.
• Responsibilities – Detail your main tasks: a helpful tip is to use action words like “prepared” and “maintained.” For example: “prepared camera equipment before each shoot” or “maintained lenses and accessories to ensure image quality.”
• Achievements – Show your contribution to successful outcomes, whether that’s meeting tight shooting schedules, supporting award-winning projects, or solving on-set technical issues.

Training and qualifications can help solidify your technical credibility. This might include film school degrees, media production courses, or specialist equipment certifications.

List your education in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. If you’ve undertaken any notable workshops, masterclasses, or manufacturer training on camera systems, mention them to show your commitment to continuous learning.