NOC 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.

Express Entry eligibility

• Skilled work (TEER 0 to 3): yes, TEER 3.
• Canadian Experience Class: counts as skilled Canadian work (1 year in the last 3 years).
• Federal Skilled Worker Program: counts as skilled work (1 year of continuous work in the last 10 years).
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: not one of the eligible trades.
• High-wage occupation (from November 3, 2026): no. No high-wage add-on, and a job offer in it earns no CRS points.

TEER 3: Occupations that usually need a college diploma, an apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training. Every program has other requirements too, such as language test results and, for FSW, a points test.

Category-based draws

NOC 53111 is not on any of IRCC’s occupation category lists. You can still be invited in general, Canadian Experience Class or other program draws.

Category lists checked on canada.ca on 2026-10-17. IRCC category-based selection

CRS points for work in NOC 53111

Skilled Canadian work in this occupation earns the standard points, the same before and after November 3, 2026, with no high-wage add-on:

See Canadian work points and the median-wage rule.

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.

For Express Entry your duties must match the lead statement and most of the main duties above.

Example job titles

• 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

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.

Similar jobs with a different code

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