In this series, which appears in In Focus Magazine from The Guild of Television Camera Professionals, Jo Hodges and Liz Bell, camera operators and co-founders of Fusion Film and TV answer questions from readers, production crew and fellow camera operators on industry issues and give advice where needed.

In addition to camera operating/supervising and running their production company, Jo and Liz are both qualified transformative life coaches who work specifically with those in the media. You can read more about them and their work here.

Q1.  I’m starting to feel invisible at work. How do I stay seen without being one of the ‘lads’ and jostling for position because I’m quite shy and I’m exhausted trying to stay relevant on jobs?

First, know this: a quiet operator who gets the shot, is on time, and is good to work with is never truly invisible. But I do get it particularly in this business – sometimes the loudest people take up all the airspace. One tip? Ask smart questions. It shows you’re engaged, without having to dominate.

I do think with the current climate, perhaps this has become very relevant because everyone is being more pushy for work. I have definitely noticed an increase in how many people are asking for work and it does genuinely get more cutthroat when work is lean.

That being said, I don’t see why you should feel compelled to change who you are to match someone else’s volume or personality. Instead, make sure your work is the visible one in the ways that count: if you are single camera operator file your rushes on time and make sure your logging is correct, share a sequence you’re proud of with your producer if appropriate, and debrief with your team lead, in other words make sure you’re work is being seen. If you are multi cam make sure you are being diligent and pushing yourself to offer shots and be as attentive and involved as you can be, really that’s all you can do. In the end you can only do your best and if other people are being more pushy or even overbearing, in my experience, that can end up backfiring anyway. Quiet visibility can be more powerful than the loudest person in the room. 

Of course there will be times you just can’t compete with the peacocking and there will be circumstances you will lose out to jostling and pushiness which isn’t always fair but that’s true of any job so you will have to accept this is the case and move on rather than becoming exhausted trying to be something you are not just be the best work version of yourself and if you feel your networking skills are a bit weak then maybe do some training to improve that which will hopefully make it feel less daunting in future. Liz

Q2: I’ve been trying to be healthier recently because I have got into a bad rut of fast food and quick hunger fixes at work. I do long hours and the food offerings are mainly stodgy and lacking in nutrition. What are some quick and healthy meal options for those of us working unpredictable hours? I feel like I exist on unhealthy food eaten standing up!

Obviously, neither of us are nutritionists so we can only make suggestions that we have found useful over the years and concentrate on your mindset which let’s be honest is probably the thing that needs work on anyway 😉  Most of the time, we know what’s right for our bodies, and it’s mindset that will make us either engage or NOT! 

Firstly it’s about priority and how much you are making it a priority to be healthy at work because quite often we succumb to the I’m too busy or its too hard mantras. But is it? Imagine if all the time spent berating yourself was spent planning and prepping for your workday meals.

Meal prepping has been a lifesaver for us. It’s not always possible but we try to make use of the freezer and batch cook, too. Try preparing nutritious meals and snacks in advance, such as salads, wraps, or grain bowls with proteins like chicken or tofu. Keep plenty of portable snacks like nuts, fruits, or yoghurt on hand for quick energy boosts. Staying hydrated is crucial, so always have a water bottle nearby – we have ones with hourly markings on it so you can see how much you have had throughout the day / night. In our job, it can be difficult in that we aren’t always near toilets and have long stints on camera which makes us reticent to drink, but be mindful of hydration as it’s so important in the grand scheme of things and there are ways to stay hydrated sensibly even when there are few toilet breaks. 

Ask yourself this question: if someone offered me a million pounds to organise and prep myself better food wise, making meals to take and eating in a more healthy manner at work would you do it? I think for most of of would be a hell yes and easily make time with that incentive. You would make it a priority!

So…what do you need to do to incentivise yourself to do if for yourself? If you can answer that you will be in at a good starting point to begin the changes you need to be healthier and happier at work. Honestly, sometimes with mindset that’s all it takes. Intention and priority. Good luck. –   Jo

Q3. How do I cope when the director is constantly watching over my shoulder? I feel like they don’t trust me and I’m losing my confidence.

Great question! When you feel like you’ve got someone breathing down your neck, it’s easy to freeze or get defensive. Plus, hello personal space?! 

But often, it’s not personal but it is pressure filtering down. Stay calm, ask what they’re looking for, and try to keep the communication clear. It’s also good to ask yourself, do they do this to everyone or is there something about me they feel insecure about? 

Some directors are more hands-on than others. If they’re hovering, I quietly acknowledge it with something like “let me know if you want a different approach” – it signals that I’m open, and not ego-y, and not fragile. You earn trust by staying steady (no pun intended) under pressure.

But if you feel it IS just you, then if you have a camera supervisor, maybe chat with them about it and work out what it is that is making them feel less confident in you. It could be anything from a miscommunication or lack of knowledge of your skills, or even that they just don’t know you well enough. Most directors like to feel comfortable with their crew and if they aren’t sure of your skills that may translate as a lack of confidence in you. If there isn’t a supervisor, my advice would still be to communicate with the director (if appropriate of course). Asking if there is anything more they want from you, and any advice they can give you as to how they like things done. Try not to preface it in the negative and make it more about their way of doing things and making sure they are happy. 

Often, many working relationships take time so don’t be impatient either. Often, that sweet spot of being in the zone with your team takes time and experience, so be open to learning and listening to let that naturally happen. ~Liz

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If anxieties or issues are impacting your daily life, it might be time to seek professional support. With over 25 years of experience each in the film and TV industry, Jo and Liz are here to help you navigate these challenges and achieve greater well-being. For more resources and to learn how we can support you, get in touch.