Any Full Member is privileged to invite qualified candidates for membership of the ACO. The Sponsoring Member must have first hand knowledge of that candidate's experience and qualifications and, if called upon to do so, be prepared to present unqualified support of the candidate. Upon request, the candidate shall be sent or given an application to apply for membership. The candidate shall then complete the application form in all respects, name, current address and phone number, qualifications, credits with dates, and time worked as a Camera Operator, and certify his/her willingness to meet the necessary requirements for membership. The completed application shall be signed by the Sponsoring Member prior to submission to the Board of Directors. Upon receipt of the completed application signed by the candidate, with an acknowledgment that he/she accepts and agrees to abide by the Rules of the ACO, the application shall be placed before the Board of Directors for acceptance or rejection.
A majority vote of the Board of Directors shall be necessary to admit an applicant to membership of the ACO. When accepted into membership, the approved application shall be signed by the Secretary with the date of acceptance noted thereon.

All invitations are at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

  Application Form  

Membership of the Association shall consist of:

• Full Members
• Associate Members
• Friends of the ACO
• Honorary Members
• Life Time Membership
• Patrons of the ACO

Any Camera Operator engaged in the production of Feature Films, Television Drama and / or Commercials, who has held the position of Camera Operator for at least 3 years, can show a wide range of skills, can demonstrate significant accomplishments in their field, can produce verifiable credits, and that such occupation has been the main source of income.
A Full Member must nominate candidates for Full Membership.
Full Members shall be elected to Membership by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Full Members will have a voting status, and can serve as a Board Member.
Full Members will have access to all ACO events, seminars, workshops and demonstrations, the use of the private area in the ACO Website and the use of the ACO letters after their name.

Associate Membership is intended for those individuals who, although working as a Camera Operator, do not qualify for Full Membership because such work is not their main source of income and cannot show a wide range of skills, cannot demonstrate significant accomplishments in their field, and cannot produce verifiable credits, they have not been operating for at least three years, as per Section (2) of the Rules.
A Full Member must nominate candidates for Associate Membership.
Associate Members shall be elected to membership by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Associate Members will have a non-voting status, and can’t serve as a Board Member.
Associate Members may apply for their status to be changed to Full Membership when they fulfil the requirements of Section (2), and this change in status must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Associate Members will have access to all ACO events, seminars, workshops, and demonstrations, the use of the Private area in the ACO Website, but the use of the ACO letters after their name is not permitted.

Any individual that does not qualify for either Full or Associate Membership, but that shares the aims of the ACO.

A Full Member must nominate candidates for Friends of the ACO Membership.

Friends of the ACO shall be elected to membership by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Friends of the ACO will have a non-voting status, and can’t serve as a Board Member.

Friends of the ACO may apply for their status to be changed to Associate Membership when they fulfil the requirements of Section (3), and this change in status must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Friends of the ACO Members will not have access to General Meetings unless specially invited, but to all other ACO events, Seminars, Workshops, and demonstrations, the use of the Private area in the ACO Website is not permitted, neither is the use of the ACO letters after their name.

Honorary Membership may be awarded to those persons who have notably contributed to and “fostered the advancement of the aims of the Association of Camera Operators (ACO)”. Honorary Members shall be elected to membership by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, and shall have a non-voting status.

Life Time Membership may be awarded only to a Retired Member in good standing by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors, and shall have a non-voting status.

This membership is open to companies associated with the camera department and specifically the Camera Operator. Companies may apply for Patron membership and if considered eligible by the Board an invitation will be sent. Patron Companies would have no voting rights.

  Application Form