Written by real camera crew
4 min read
Last updated: 15/5/2026
Most advice online, especially generic ‘film CV templates’, won’t help you get hired as a Camera Trainee. In fact, the advice and templates can hurt your chances because they don’t show what real productions look for when hiring new trainees.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
How to create a CV that stands out
What information really matters
The mistakes to avoid
Plus, you’ll get a free Camera Trainee CV template made specifically for film and TV production.
A Camera Trainee CV is much simpler than most people expect. You don’t need a flashy layout, a creative design, or a four-page breakdown of your life story. Camera crew want one thing: clear, relevant information that helps them quickly understand whether you’ll fit into their team.
Here’s exactly what you should include on your Camera Trainee CV. No fluff, no filler.
Who you’ve worked with - This is the most important section of a Camera Trainee CV. List the 2nd ACs, 1st ACs and DPs you’ve worked under.
Why this matters:
Camera teams want to see names they recognise - this creates immediate trust.
If they know the crew you’ve worked with, they can quickly ask for a reference.
Repeated collaborations show you’re reliable, hardworking, and easy to work with.
Where you’re based - Your base can affect whether you get hired. Crews prefer to hire locally when possible, even if most trainees are willing to travel.
If you live somewhere outside a film hub (London, Manchester, Edinburgh, etc.), the crew may see that as a logistical inconvenience.
The solution?
If you regularly travel, or can travel, to a particular city, list that as your base. This instantly makes you more hireable.
Additional skills/information - Camera teams don’t care about your degree or what film school you went to, but they do care about practical, production-focused skills.
Include things like:
Any online courses, workshops, or industry schemes you’ve completed.
If you own a car (some productions film in the middle of nowhere) - telling a production that you have a car shows you won’t be a logistical issue.
If you have a full, clean UK driving licence (some productions may want you to drive the camera van)
Technical or equipment knowledge
This section shows you’re actively learning and prepared for real set environments.
Production details - If you’ve worked on something notable, highlight it. If you haven’t, don’t panic. All relevant experience counts when you’re starting out.
This builds credibility and demonstrates your familiarity with working on a set.
Contact details - You’d be surprised how often CVs bury this. Keep it at the top.
Include:
Your full name
Email
Phone number
Optional: Instagram handle (only if it’s public and relevant)
References - If you’ve already worked on a job, ask a 2nd AC or 1st AC if you can list them as a reference.
Once they say yes, include:
Their name
Their role
Their contact details
References help verify your reliability and can set you apart from other applicants.
Even well-prepared CVs can run into problems, often because small but important details are overlooked.
Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Adding your DP credits - It’s tempting to bulk out your CV with Director of Photography (DP) credits, but this can actually work against you. DP roles aren’t relevant to a Camera Trainee position, and including them can distract from the experience that matters most.
Camera teams want to see camera trainee experience, not cinematography roles. A couple of Floor Runner or 2nd AC credits is fine in moderation, but anything beyond that can make your CV feel misaligned with the role.
Corporate format - Long paragraphs about your part-time jobs or non-industry roles will lose a hiring AC’s attention instantly.
Keep the layout simple, film-focused, and easy to scan. If your CV looks like it belongs in an office, it’s time to redesign it.
Leaving out GDPR - Without a GDPR statement, production legally can’t pass your CV on to other productions. With it, your CV can be shared freely, helping more hiring teams see your details.
Not listing your age (when it can help you) - This is optional but useful. If you’re 25 or over, include your age. Productions sometimes need trainees who can drive camera vans, and drivers under 25 are more expensive to insure, or may not be allowed at all. Listing your age upfront shows you’re fully insurable and easier to hire. If you’re under 25, you can leave this off.
Let’s cut some corners! Get our free template to get started.
If you're new to the industry and you're serious about wanting to work in the UK camera department, join our free online workshop, hosted and created by camera crew working on the biggest productions.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll know how to break into the camera department and land consistent camera trainee work.
(Plus, there are some great gifts included!)
Apply below for FREE entry. No gatekeeping, just practical advice from people who’ve been in your shoes.
