Villain operating crane in film (9)
I believe the answer is:
miscreant
'villain' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'operating crane in film' is the wordplay.
'operating' indicates an anagram.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'film' becomes 'mist' (I've seen this before).
'crane' with letters rearranged gives 'crean'.
'crean' going inside 'mist' is 'MISCREANT'.
(Other definitions for miscreant that I've seen before include "scoundrel" , "Villainous" , "culprit" , "Offender" , "criminal" .)