National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

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5 - Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

This broad category comprises specialized middle management occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport, as well as professional, technical, support and other occupations concerned with art and culture (including the performing arts, film and video, broadcasting, journalism, writing, creative design, libraries and museums), recreation and sports.

53 - Occupations in art, culture and sport

This major group comprises occupations in art, culture and sport. These occupations come with Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) identified as TEER 3. Occupations classified in TEER 3, as those included in this group with a 3 as the second digit of their code, typically require completion of a post-secondary education program of less than two years at community college, institute of technology or CÉGEP; or completion of an apprenticeship training program of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training, training courses or specific work experience with some secondary school education; or the accumulation of several years of experience in a related occupation found in TEER 4, when applicable (TEER 4 includes occupations with a 4 as a second digit in their code).

531 - Occupations in art and culture

This sub-major group comprises occupations in art and culture, including occupations related to museums and art galleries; photographers and support occupations in arts and culture; and occupations in creative and performing arts

5311 - Photographers and support occupations in arts and culture

This minor group comprises photographers and support occupations in arts and culture such as photographers and motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators. They are employed by photographic and sound recording studios; museums; government; television and radio networks and stations; motion picture and video production companies; newspapers and magazines; theatre and stage companies; or they may be self-employed.

53110 - Photographers

Photographers operate still cameras to photograph people, events, scenes, materials, products and other subjects. They are employed by photographic studios, newspapers, magazines, museums and government, or they may be self-employed.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • aerial photographer
    • commercial photographer
    • forensic photographer
    • industrial photographer
    • photographer
    • portrait photographer
    • scientific photographer

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • multimedia picture illustrator
    • photojournalist
    • police photographer
  • Exclusion(s)

    • Film and video camera operators (See 52110 Film and video camera operators)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Study requirements of a particular assignment and decide on type of camera, film, lighting and background accessories to be used
    • Determine picture composition, make technical adjustments to equipment and photograph subject
    • May operate scanners to transfer photographic images to computers
    • May operate computers to manipulate photographic images
    • May adapt existing photographic images and create new digitized images to be included in multimedia/new media products
    • May use delicate instruments, such as optical microscopes attached to cameras
    • May process exposed film
    • May use airbrush, computer or other techniques to retouch negatives
    • Medical photographers may work closely with medical illustrators.

    Photographers may specialize in areas such as portrait photography, commercial photography, scientific photography, forensic photography, medical photography, digitized photography, multimedia photography or photojournalism.

  • Employment requirements

    • A bachelor's degree in visual arts with specialization in photography
      or
      Completion of specialized training in photography in high school, college or specialized training schools
      or
      Extensive on-the-job training under the supervision of a photographer is required.
    • Experience in, or knowledge of computerized photography or digital imaging may be required.
    • Creative and technical ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required.
53111 - Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators

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.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • boom grip
    • camera crane operator
    • dresser - motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
    • lighting assistant
    • production assistant
    • prompter
    • props person
    • script assistant
    • set builder
    • special effects assistant
    • spotlight operator
    • stagehand

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • motion picture projectionist
    • projectionist
  • Exclusion(s)

    • 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)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    Camera crane operators

    • 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.

    Motion picture projectionists

    • 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.

    Props persons and set builders

    • Assemble, repair, place, build and oversee props.

    Script assistants

    • Distribute scripts to actors; keep detailed notes of all actions, positions and camera angles; and photograph and date scenes.

    Grips and riggers

    • Rig, place, move and dismantle sets, backdrops, scenery and other stage equipment.

    Dressers

    • Clean, maintain, transport and store costumes, and assist performers to dress in costumes.

    Production assistants

    • 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.
  • 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.
  • Additional information

    • There may be an overlap in duties among occupations in this unit group, depending on the size of the production or broadcasting studio.
    • Progression to related technical occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting or the performing arts is possible with additional training or experience.
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