Audio and Video Technicians

Audio Technician
Audio Visual Specialist (AV Specialist)
AV Tech (Audio Visual Technician)
Media Technician
Operations Technician
Stagehand
Video Technician

What is an Audio and Video Technician?

Audio and Video Technicians are professionals who operate and maintain the equipment used in audio and video production. They work in various settings, including live events, television broadcasting, film production, and corporate media. These technicians set up, operate, and troubleshoot various types of equipment such as microphones, sound mixers, projectors, and video cameras to ensure that the audiovisual quality meets professional standards. They often collaborate with directors, producers, and other team members to achieve the desired technical aspects of a project, making adjustments in real-time during live performances or recording sessions. In addition, Audio and Video Technicians may also be responsible for editing and post-production tasks, enhancing the final product's sound and visual quality. They are skilled in a variety of software and hardware tools, and their expertise is essential for creating high-quality media experiences that captivate audiences.

Career Assessment
Career Assessment

Tasks

  • Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
  • Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
  • Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
  • Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.

Technology Skills

  • Video creation and editing software
    • Adobe After Effects
    • Apple Final Cut Pro
    • Corel Ulead DVD Workshop
    • YouTube
  • Operating system software
    • Cisco IOS
    • Linux
    • Microsoft Windows
  • Graphics or photo imaging software
    • Adobe Illustrator
    • Adobe Photoshop
  • Video conferencing software
    • Cisco Webex
    • Zoom
  • Data base user interface and query software
    • Blackboard software
    • Microsoft Access

Knowledge

  • Computers and Electronics

    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • Communications and Media

    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

  • English Language

    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • Telecommunications

    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

  • Fine Arts

    Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Skills

  • Monitoring

    Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

  • Critical Thinking

    Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

  • Operations Monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • Reading Comprehension

    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

  • Complex Problem Solving

    Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Abilities

  • Near Vision

    The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

  • Oral Expression

    The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

  • Information Ordering

    The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • Oral Comprehension

    The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

  • Problem Sensitivity

    The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

  • Bachelor's degree
    43 %
  • High school diploma or equivalent
    25 %

    or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

  • Post-secondary certificate
    20 %

    Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

Work Activities

  • Working with Computers

    Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

    Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

  • Getting Information

    Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

    Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems

    Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Notify others of equipment problems.
  • Maintain recording or broadcasting equipment.
  • Maintain records, documents, or other files.
  • Convert data among multiple digital or analog formats.
  • Coordinate activities of production personnel.

Work Interests

  • Realistic

    Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

  • Conventional

    Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$33790.0 - $95640.0

New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average

Assessment

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