Videographer Career, Courses, Scope
 

Career as a Videographer- How to start a career as a Videographer

 
We used to think that videography was all about working for big media houses and production companies, and videographers had numerous expensive tools and devices to create high-quality videos. It is primarily because many of us didn’t have the appropriate information about the job profile of videographers. However, the world has witnessed tremendous technological growth in the last few years. These technological advancements have made videography increasingly accessible to the common mass. Nowadays, one can even use their smartphone to create professional videos to showcase their videography skills. 
 
Because of the huge demand, there are thousands of profitable career opportunities for videographers in every sector, especially in the television and film industry. If you are passionate about showcasing your magic in different videos and want to learn more about the job profile of videographers, you’re at the right place. You need to know how you can start your videography journey, how much salary you can expect, which courses are best for you, and which skills are required to become a successful videographer if you want to pursue your career as a videographer. We will discuss everything related to this job profile in this article. Let’s know first who a videographer is. 
 

Who Is A Videographer?

Videographers are professionals responsible for telling stories through photographs and visuals in a motion picture. One must be excellent in the art of storytelling to become successful in the videography field. Videography consists of the entire transformation procedure from short video clips into full feature-length films. The vast videography field includes thousands of career scopes for individuals. Professional videographers mostly work for media channels and production companies, while many freelance or self-employed videographers cover live broadcasting of small events, weddings, birthday parties, and other private ceremonies. Additionally, many videographers focus on shooting short films, documentaries, television shows, commercials, sports and political events, news shows, and more. 
 
Videographers don’t need to work only with the entertainment industry. They can even work for diverse organizations and make corporate video content on various topics according to the requirements. Videographers often make technical decisions and implement artistic strategies while creating high-quality video content. While professional videographers work with a huge production team of light and sound technicians, self-employed videographers usually work alone with a single camera setup. Videographers are also responsible for handling the editing-related work for their materials. 
 

Videographers – Job Profile and Work Responsibilities

Improvement of digital cameras, expansion of the Internet, and other technological advancements in every sector have rapidly changed the videography industry and positively contributed to its growth. Videography is one of the job profiles that doesn’t require extensive schooling or a professional degree. Most companies prefer candidates with the required videography skills and knowledge for this job profile. This job profile allows videographers to work remotely according to their preference. Additionally, many organizations provide freelancing opportunities for videographers. The job profile of videographers has emerged as one of the most popular career choices among today’s generation, especially those who are passionate about photography and content creation. 
 
Professional videographers usually have a huge team of technicians and assign them different responsibilities. However, freelance videographers generally run their businesses and do every single work by themselves, such as submitting bids, managing permission for shooting, writing contracts, getting copyright protection, and even keeping track of financial data. 
 

Job Responsibilities of Videographers

 
The following are some significant job responsibilities of a videographer. 
 

  1. Managing the tools 

 
The primary responsibility of a videographer is to select the appropriate camera, lenses, film stocks, and even filters according to the project’s requirements. This particular responsibility is of great importance as technical tools play a pivotal role in deciding the ultimate quality of the video project. 
 

  1. Supervising the post-production team 

 
Professional videographers often work alongside the directors. Videographers are also responsible for managing the light and sound technicians. Similarly, they supervise the team regarding how they should use the technical tools to create phenomenal content. 
 

  1. Designing the content

 
Videographers often have a detailed discussion with the directorial team regarding all the aspects of scripts and how they want to picture them. They also analyze the script, the story structure, characters, subjects, design elements, and styles. Additionally, they choose the aspect ratio, image contrast, digital effects, and frame rates after discussing all these with the director. 
 

  1. Ensuring the quality 

 
Videographers are solely responsible for ensuring the quality of everything used in filmmaking.  They choose crew members and technical equipment, test newly modified tools, approve wild elements, check sound and lighting, pre-visit locations, shooting sets, and stages. 
 

  1. Handling photography-related works 

 
Photography is another significant responsibility of videographers. They shoot photograph scenes, check and rectify the incorrect takes, reset parameters for the next, and shoot playback materials. 
 

  1. Planning and blocking 

 
Planning plays a huge role in the work responsibilities of a videographer. As videographers have multiple tasks to complete in one day, they need to plan everything well in advance. They approve call sheets and the shooting order of the day. Additionally, they watch rehearsals and plan how the scenes will be shot. They also take the director’s approval after shooting each scene. 
 

Skills Required for Videographer Job Profile

 
People of any gender can pursue their careers as videographers. Male and female videographers receive equal benefits in India. However, a person needs to have a few essential skills to become successful in the field of videography. Let’s know the essential skills required for the videographer job profile. 
 

  1. Videographers must have an outstanding knowledge of technology, whether they work as freelancers or with a team. Excellent technical skills help videographers throughout their journey. They must know how to set up a shot and handle different technical equipment. Additionally, they must be familiar with cleaning and assembling equipment, lighting, framing, staging, closed captioning, special effects, screen text, and every little element of filmmaking. 
  2. Creativity is another essential skill required for videographers as they need to use their creative mind while filming different scenes. Creativity helps a videographer to create visual magic on screen and easily attract viewers. 
  3. Professional videographers usually work with a huge directorial and production team that consists of different technicians and crew members. That’s why every videographer must have excellent communication skills to build interpersonal relationships with other team members. 
  4. Videographers must be flawless in written and visual storytelling to make a successful film. They should understand the story’s concept first as it helps them to portray the characters well. Storytelling skills help videographers effectively represent stories so that the viewers can easily relate to the stories. 
  5. Videographers should also be good at problem-solving as they may have to perform multiple tasks. They may have to play several crucial roles on the set and collaborate with various professionals. 

 
Other required skills are:

  • Time-management skills 
  • Multitasking skills 
  • Ability to meet strict deadlines 
  • Excellent photography skills 
  • Strong project management skills 
  • Leadership skills 
  • Efficiency 

 

How To Start Your Career As Videographers? (Eligibility and Experience)

 
The job profile of videographers is solely skill-based. But a few significant qualifications and work experience are considered helpful for candidates willing to start their career as videographers. Additionally, most companies prefer candidates with a minimum educational qualification and work experience for the videographer job profile. However, candidates must meet the following criteria to get a job in this field. 
 

Eligibility

Individuals willing to pursue a career in videography must complete their higher secondary examinations with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized board. Candidates passionate about videography can join an online or offline videography certification course to learn more about this field. A certification or undergraduate professional course can be helpful for this job position as many companies prefer candidates with knowledge of videography or filmmaking. However, a professional videography degree is not mandatory for this job. Graduates from any discipline can apply if they have the required videography skills. However, the following courses are considered helpful for this job profile:
 

  • Mass communication
  • Filmmaking and Film Studies 
  • Journalism 
  • Cinematography 
  • Photography 
  • Post-production management 
  • Video making and video editing 
  • Electronic Cinematography
  • Film and video communication 

 

Experience

 
There is also a path for those candidates who don’t want to join a certification course. They can directly apply for paid videography internships or entry-level jobs to gain the required working experience. In India, many organizations provide freelancing or part-time job opportunities to candidates. These opportunities allow candidates to learn and earn together without committing to full-time employment. Though work experience is not mandatory, it can help candidates understand the essential tips and tricks of videography. 
 

Videography Courses and Fees

 
Nowadays, many online educational platforms provide videography certification courses to candidates. People willing to start their careers as videographers can join these courses to learn about this field. Additionally, many affiliated private and government educational institutions in India offer undergraduate and postgraduate diploma programs in videography. Those candidates who wish to have an offline learning experience in videography can join these UG and PG diploma videography courses. 
 

Best Online Videography Courses

 
The following are the top 7 best online videography courses. 
 
P.S- Candidates can join these online courses anytime, according to their preference. 
 

Sl No.
Courses Name 
Course Provider
Duration
Average Fees
1.
Complete Filmmaker Guide: Become an Incredible Video Creator
5.5. hours 
INR 449
2.
Mastering Final Cut Pro
8 weeks 
Free 
3.
An Introduction to Film Studies 
6 weeks 
INR 16,975
4.
The Complete Video Production Course
6 weeks 
Free
5.
Introduction to Production Design for Film and Screen 
3 weeks
INR 1564
6.
Learning Video Production and Editing
1 hour 
Free
7. 
Cinematography Course | Shoot Expert Video on Any Camera 
1 hour
Free

 

Best Offline Videography Courses in India

 
Below are the top 5 best offline videography courses available in India. 
 
P.S- For joining an offline videography course, the candidate must complete their 12th with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized board. 
 

Sl No.
Course Name 
Institution Name
Duration 
Average Fees
1.
Certificate Course in Electronic Cinematography
1 year
INR 1.7 Lakhs 
2.
Cinematography for Electronic and Digital Media
2 years
INR 3 Lakhs 
3.
B.Des for Film and Video Communication 
2 years 
INR 1.39 Lakhs 
4. 
Certificate course in Video Production
1 year
INR 1 Lakh 
5.
B.A in Film Production and Management 
3 years 
INR 10 Lakhs 

 

Best PG Diploma Videography Courses in India

 
The following are the top 5 best PG diploma videography courses available in India.
 
P.S- One needs to complete their graduation from any discipline to join these postgraduate diploma courses. 
 

Sl No.
Course Name
Institution Name
Duration 
Average Fees
1.
Diploma in Cinematography 
3 years
INR 1.7 Lakhs 
2.
Advanced Diploma in Filmmaking with cinematography 
1 year
INR 3.33 Lakhs 
3.
Postgraduate Diploma in Cinematography 
2 years 
INR 2.5 Lakhs 
4. 
Postgraduate Diploma in Cinematography 
1 year 
INR 65,000
5.
Asian Academy of Film and Television 
1 year 
INR 3.52 Lakhs 

 

Salary of A Videographer in India

 
Due to high demand in the global market, the salary of videographers has increased quite a lot in recent years. In India, the average salary of an entry-level videographer is 25,000/month. Additionally, a full-time videographer can expect a salary up to 3-4 lakhs per annum, depending on their designation, work experience, skills, and yearly performance. Videographers’ salary widely varies based on their respective companies and job location. A videographer can earn up to 15,000/month when working as an intern or freelancer. However, the pay scale of this job profile can significantly rise over time depending on the videographers’ annual performance and seniority. In India, a senior-level videographer with more than eight years of working experience can earn up to 5-7 lakhs per annum. 
 
Many companies also pay freelance or part-time videographers on their work hours basis, while the self-employed videographers usually charge per assignment or full-day rates. Several surveys have shown that the estimated salary potential for videographers will increase by 22% in the next five years. 
 

Top Recruiters of Translation Jobs In India

 
The job profile of videographers is high in demand across the globe. Additionally, the entertainment industry has witnessed huge growth in the last few years. That’s why career scopes are rapidly increasing for videographers in both private and governmental sectors. In India, there are a variety of job opportunities for videographers. The following are the top 8 companies in India that are hiring for videographer job profiles. 
 

  1. Viacom India LLP
  2. Net Connect
  3. Puma 
  4. Pristyn Care
  5. MagicBricks 
  6. Orcapod 
  7. Maslow Media 
  8. TopLine Film

 

Top Universities in India for Videography Courses

 
Many affiliated private and government educational institutes across India provide undergraduate and postgraduate programs in videography/cinematography. Additionally, some filmmaking and post-production courses are considered extremely helpful for learning videography. Here are the top 10 universities in India that provide the best offline learning experience in the videography field. 
 

  1. Film and Television Institute of India, Pune
  2. Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata 
  3. National Institute of Design, Ahmadabad 
  4. Xavier institute of Communication, Mumbai
  5. Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment, Mumbai
  6. Whistling Woods International, Mumbai
  7. L V Prasad Film and TV Academy, Chennai 
  8. K.R Narayan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts 
  9. Asian Academy of Film and Television
  10. Amity University, Kolkata 

 

Top Online Platforms for Videography Certification Courses

 
Many online platforms offer numerous professional courses to candidates. Nowadays, many online platforms provide free and paid videography certification courses. The courses cover all the aspects of cinematography, filmmaking, post-production management, and film studies. The following are the best 6 online platforms that offer videography courses for candidates.
 

  1. Udemy
  2. Coursera 
  3. SkillShare
  4. Future Learn 
  5. LinkedIn Learning 
  6. University of Oxford 

 

Videography Course Duration and Fees (UG/PG Level)

 
A videography certification course is primarily a short-term course offered by various online educational platforms. Many affiliated private and government universities also offer offline undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional programs in videography. While some online platforms provide free videography courses, candidates must pay to join the offline ones. The duration of an online videography course ranges from a few hours to a few weeks. Similarly, the duration of an offline professional videography or cinematography course can range from one year to three years. However, the PG diploma videography course duration can range from one year to two years. The course fee largely varies based on the course duration and the topics the course covers. 
 
In India, an online videography certification course can cost up to 20,000 INR. The average fee of an offline undergraduate professional course in videography can be up to 10 Lakhs, while a PG diploma course in videography can cost up to 4 Lakhs.