Tour Guide: What Does a Video Team Actually Do?
What Is the Video Department, and Why Is It Growing So Fast?
Video covers everything screens and cameras on a live show — and it’s the fastest-growing visual department in the industry as LED walls take over more and more stages. The work splits into three lanes: capturing footage, building the visual world on stage, and deciding what the audience actually sees.
What Does a Video Director Do?
The Video Director cuts the live camera feed — called IMAG (Image Magnification) — that appears on the big screens, calling shots in real time as the show happens. This is a fast-paced, decision-heavy role: every camera angle the audience sees at any given moment is a choice this person makes live.
What Does a Video Engineer or EIC Do?
The Video Engineer, also called the EIC (Engineer in Charge), owns signal integrity across every camera and “shades” them so they all match in color and exposure. This is the technical backbone of the video department — without it, a live cut between cameras would look jarring and inconsistent to the audience.
What Do Camera Operators Do?
Camera operators cover a range of specialties depending on the equipment: handheld, jib (crane arm), Steadicam, RF (wireless), robo/PTZ (remote-controlled), and FOH camera. Each is its own skill set, and operators often specialize in one rather than working across all of them.
What Does an LED Tech Do?
LED techs build and run the LED video walls — the panel-by-panel screens increasingly used as stage backdrops. An LED Crew Chief leads this team through load-in, show, and load-out, similar to crew chief roles in other departments.
What Does a Media Server Tech Do?
The Media Server Tech (or Operator) runs the playback systems — platforms like disguise/d3, Resolume, Notch, and Watchout — that feed content to the screens. This role sits at the intersection of technical operation and content: the server tech makes sure the right visuals hit the right screen at the right moment.
What Other Video Jobs Exist?
Beyond the core roles above, video includes a range of specialized positions: director of photography, projectionist, live-stream engineer/operator, video programmer, playback/record operator, VJ, and content/video designer. Many of these overlap with the Creative department when the work leans more toward content design than live operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does IMAG mean?
IMAG stands for Image Magnification — the live camera feed of the stage shown on the big screens so the back of the room can see performers up close.
Are Video Engineer and EIC the same role?
Yes — Video Engineer and EIC (Engineer in Charge) refer to the same position: the person who owns signal integrity and makes sure every camera matches.
What’s the difference between an LED Tech and an LED Crew Chief?
An LED Tech builds and runs the LED video walls directly. An LED Crew Chief leads the LED crew as a whole, similar to a crew chief role in any other department.
Recap
Video splits into directing the live cut, engineering signal integrity, operating cameras, building LED walls, and running media servers — and it’s growing faster than almost any other department as screens take over more of the live show experience.
For the bigger picture on how video fits with every other department, start with how the live events industry actually works. New to the jargon on this page? Check the Tour Guide glossary. Ready to find your next role? Head to giggs.live.
