Becoming a Videographer Cost

Typical costs:

• Due to its technical nature, from the filming process to the editing process, videography typically requires a four-year college degree. In 2012, the average annual cost of earning a four-year bachelor's degree from a public college is $8,244 for in-state students and $20,770 for out-of-state students, according to the College Board.
• In 2012, the average annual cost of earning a four-year bachelor's degree from a private college is $14,487 for a profit-based university to $28,500 for a nonprofit university, but can run higher much higher. For example, the University of California, Los Angeles^[1] offers a four-year film and video degree for $12,686 annually.
• Earning a two-year associate's degree in videography costs about $6,000, according to the College Board. For example, the Blue Ridge Community College^[2] in North Carolina costs about $2,200 annually for state residents or $8,200 for non-residents.
• Videographers typically must buy their own professional-grade video camera. Professional-quality video cameras cost from $600 to several thousand dollars; students typically start out with a camcorder that costs about $1,000 -$1,500. Reviews website CamcorderInfo.com provides The Student Filmmaker's Buying Guide^[3] to Consumer Camcorders, which includes the Canon HF S21 ($1,399), the Panasonic HDC-TM300 ($1,299), the JVC GZ-HM400 (less than $1,000) and the Canon HV40 ($999).

• Classes for a degree in video production teach the technical aspects of film, including lighting and audio for both studio and location filming. Related courses may include high-definition television; film, digital video and television processes and equipment; 3D animation; and advanced audio production.
• In the movie and broadcast television industries, an aspiring videographer can expect to start as a production assistant in the camera department. Assistants run errands and perform other tasks for operators.
• Commercial videographers, such as for weddings and corporations, work on a freelance basis or operate as a small business of one person. A videographer may begin their career as an apprentice to an established videographer; or they may solicit work through classifieds, friends or networking to build a customer base.

• A tripod to steady the camcorder costs about $70-$190.
• Video editing software costs from $50-$800. Less expensive software may be better for beginners or for simple edits; pricier software such as the Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 tends to be the industry standard.
• Miscellaneous other purchases that becoming a videographer may require include microphones ($20-$2,000), lighting equipment ($100-$3,000) and equipment bags and cases ($50-$400).
• Independent commercial videographers may want to take continuing education courses in business to learn skills such as accounting, marketing and networking. Courses specific to videography can be found through trade organizations such as the Wedding and Event Videographers Association^[4] , membership in which costs $250 annually.

• CNET features a camcorder buying guide^[5] with specifications for the business videographer.
• The Princeton Review offers an overview of degrees^[6] in video production that includes a list of schools offering the major.
• The US Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook^[7] on film and video editors and camera operators offers information on the career's outlook and the working conditions.

1.  cis.ucla.edu/studyArea/course.asp?type=MAJ&code=473
2.  www.blueridge.edu/programs_study/arts_sciences/programs/as_filmvideo.php
3.  www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Student-Filmmaker-Buying-Guide-Consumer-Camcorders-3...
4.  www.weva.com/cgi-bin/ecomm/hazel.cgi?action=serve&item=join/index.html
5.  reviews.cnet.com/camcorder-buying-guide/
6.  www.princetonreview.com/Majors.aspx?cip=500602
7.  www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/film-and-video-editors-and-camera-operator...

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