53111 Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators

What this occupation covers

Assistants and operators in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts perform duties related to these fields. They are employed by television and radio stations and networks, recording studios, motion picture and video production companies and by theatre and stage companies.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 7 main duties for this code.

• Set up, assemble, adjust, maintain and replace reels and projector equipment; detect and repair mechanical and electrical problems; and change and install an electronic control panel using automated equipment.
• Check the condition of the copy; set up and load film reels on movie theatre projection systems, adjust focus, sound levels and other projector and theatre settings; and maintain projection equipment.
• Assemble, repair, place, build and oversee props.
• Distribute scripts to actors; keep detailed notes of all actions, positions and camera angles; and photograph and date scenes.
• Rig, place, move and dismantle sets, backdrops, scenery and other stage equipment.
• Clean, maintain, transport and store costumes, and assist performers to dress in costumes.
• Provide support to the director and producer, and are responsible for various aspects of production such as preparing schedules, setting up equipment, and making travel arrangements to various shooting locations.

Do not copy these lines into your reference letter. The letter has to describe what you actually did, in your employer’s words. DUTYPROOF flags wording lifted from the NOC as something to review, and an officer reading a letter that mirrors the NOC reads it the same way.

What DUTYPROOF screens for

This is DUTYPROOF’s screening threshold, not IRCC’s decision. For this NOC, screening requires at least 2 of its 7 official duties to be evidenced in your own words, plus the required letter elements. IRCC asks that you performed the actions in the occupation’s lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties — so treat the duty coverage as the number that matters, not the badge.

Codes this one is confused with

The NOC profile names these itself. Choosing the wrong code of a look-alike pair is the most common way genuine work experience fails to establish eligibility.

• 52113 Audio and video recording technicians
• 52112 Broadcast technicians
• 52110 Film and video camera operators
• 52119 Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts

Excluded from this code

• Audio and video recording technicians (See 52113 Audio and video recording technicians)
• Broadcast technicians (See 52112 Broadcast technicians)
• Film and video camera operators (See 52110 Film and video camera operators)
• Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts (See 52119 Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts)

Job titles filed under this code

A title on this list does not by itself put your experience in this code — the duties in your letter decide that.

artistic rigger · audiovisual (AV) assistant · audiovisual (AV) assistant - motion pictures and broadcasting · best boy · boom grip · boom microphone operator · boom operator · camera crane operator · circus rigger · continuity person - motion pictures and broadcasting · dolly operator - motion pictures and broadcasting · dolly pusher - motion pictures and broadcasting · dresser - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts · duplicate-film examiner - motion pictures and broadcasting · entertainment stage rigger · film projectionist · film quality inspector · fireworks handler · flyman/woman · focus puller · grip · lighting assistant · motion picture examiner · motion picture projectionist

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Most occupations in this unit group require completion of college courses in broadcasting, theatre arts or a related field or A period of on-the-job training.
• Certification for projectionists is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick. In Quebec, projectionists are regulated under operators of electrical machines, cinema equipment.
• Projectionists are required to be licensed by their province of employment.