The Camera Assistant's Manual, 4th Edition

The Camera Assistant's Manual, 4th Edition

by SOC David E. Elkins
Released January 2005
Publisher(s): Focal Press
ISBN: 9781136048814

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Book description

Every film or video shoot calls for at least two camera assistants. Camera assistants (or first and second ACs, as they're known) have the important job of maintaining the camera, readying it for use, troubleshooting (such as knowing what to do when a camera drops into the ocean), and preparing it for transport. The Camera Assistant's Manual teaches the complete workflow in easy-to-understand terms and does not assume prior knowledge. It is a must-have on the set for camera assistants and is loaded with reference material such as camera illustrations, forms, charts, checklists, and equations. Invaluable career advice rounds out the book.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Half Title
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright
  5. Dedication
  6. Contents
  7. Preface
  8. Acknowledgments
  9. Introduction
  10. 1. Basics of Cinematography
    1. Film Formats
    2. Sync Speed
    3. Sync and MOS
    4. Film Stock
      1. Emulsion
      2. Base
      3. Anti-Halation Backing
    5. Types of Film
      1. Negative Film
      2. Reversal Film
    6. Film Stock Manufacturers
    7. Film Stock Packaging Sizes
    8. Exposure Index or ASA
    9. Color Temperature and Color Balance
    10. Aspect Ratios
    11. Exposure Time
    12. F-Stops and T-Stops
    13. Exposure Meters
    14. The Camera
      1. Gate
      2. Shutter
      3. Inching Knob
      4. Viewing System
      5. Lens
      6. Magazine
      7. Motor
      8. Additional Camera Components
    15. Filters
      1. Conversion Filters
      2. Neutral Density Filters
      3. Polarizing Filter
      4. Combination Filters
      5. Diffusion Filters
      6. Fog Filters and Double Fog Filters
      7. Low Contrast Filters
      8. Soft Contrast Filters
      9. Ultra Contrast Filters
      10. Coral Filters
      11. Enhancing Filters
      12. Graduated Filters
      13. Diopters
      14. Optical Flat
      15. Filter Manufacturers
    16. Camera Mounts
      1. Tripod and Spreader
      2. High Hat/Low Hat
      3. Tripod Heads
      4. Steadicam
      5. Dolly
      6. Crane
  11. 2. The Camera Department
    1. Film Productions
      1. Director of Photography
      2. Camera Operator
      3. First Assistant Cameraman
      4. Second Assistant Cameraman
      5. Loader
    2. Video or HD Productions
      1. Digital Imaging Technician
      2. Video Controller
      3. Camera Utility
      4. Digital Utility
  12. 3. Second Camera Assistant
    1. Pre-Production
      1. Working with the Laboratory
      2. Obtaining Laboratory Supplies
      3. Choosing and Ordering Expendables
      4. Preparation of Camera Equipment
      5. Preparation of Camera Truck
      6. Preparation of Darkroom
    2. Production
      1. Start of the Day Procedures
      2. Camera Reports
      3. Recording Shot Information
      4. Magazines
      5. Loading Magazines
      6. Unloading Magazines
      7. Using a Changing Bag or Changing Tent
      8. Setting Up the Camera
      9. Marking Actors
      10. Slates
      11. Slating Procedures
      12. Changing Lenses, Filters, and Magazines
      13. Using a Video Tap and Monitor
      14. Preparing Exposed Film for Delivery to the Lab
      15. Film Inventory and Record of Film Shot
      16. Ordering Additional Film Stock
      17. Storage and Care of Motion Picture Film
      18. Film, X-Rays, and Carrying Film on Planes
      19. Shipping Film (Exposed and Unexposed)
      20. Distribution of Reports
      21. Record Keeping and Filing of Paperwork
      22. Performing the Duties of First Camera Assistant
      23. Packing Equipment
      24. Tools and Accessories
      25. Working in Video/HD
      26. 2nd A.C. Tips
    3. Post-Production
      1. Wrapping Equipment
    4. Resources
    5. 2nd A.C. Review Checklist (Clapper/Loader)
  13. 4. First Camera Assistant
    1. Pre-Production
      1. Choosing Camera Equipment
      2. Choosing and Ordering Expendables
      3. The Rental House
      4. Preparation of Camera Equipment
    2. Production
      1. Start of the Day Procedures
      2. Loading and Unloading Film in the Camera
      3. Keeping the Camera Clean
      4. Oiling and Lubricating the Camera
      5. Setting the Viewfinder Eyepiece
      6. Checking for Lens Flares
      7. Lenses
      8. Depth of Field
      9. F-Stops and T-Stops
      10. Changing Lenses and Filters
      11. Focus Measurements and Following Focus
      12. Focusing Tips
      13. Zoom Lens Moves
      14. Footage Readings
      15. Checking the Gate
      16. Moving the Camera
      17. Performing the Duties of Second Camera Assistant
      18. Packing Equipment
      19. Tools and Accessories
      20. Using Computers
      21. Working in Video/HD
      22. 1st A.C. Tips
    3. Post-Production
      1. Wrapping Equipment
    4. Resources
    5. 1st A.C. Review Checklist
  14. 5. Problems and Troubleshooting
    1. Camera will not run
    2. Battery loses power
    3. Lens will not focus
    4. Camera does not stop when switched to “off”
    5. Camera starts and stops intermittently
    6. Camera is noisy
    7. Magazine is noisy
    8. Shutter does not spin (No flicker through the viewfinder)
    9. You are unable to thread film into the gate area
    10. Film does not take up
    11. Camera door does not close
    12. Camera stops while filming
    13. Film jams in camera
    14. Film rips or has torn perforations
    15. Film loses loop
    16. There are scratches on the film
    17. Camera does not run at sync speed
    18. Viewing system is blacked out
    19. Lens flares are seen when looking through the viewfinder
    20. Zoom lens motor runs erratically
    21. Zoom lens does not zoom throughout its entire range of focal lengths
    22. Tripod head does not pan or tilt
    23. Tripod legs do not slide up and down
    24. The image on the video monitor is out of focus or tilted to the side
    25. Shooting in extreme cold weather
    26. Shooting in extreme heat
    27. When filming in or around salt water, the camera and magazine fall into the water
    28. A fuse blows when connecting electrical accessories
    29. Shooting outside using tungsten-balanced film without an 85 filter to correct the exposure
    30. Shooting inside with tungsten light daylight-balanced film and no 80A filter for correction
    31. When shooting a television monitor or computer screen, a roll bar moves through the screen
    32. Projected image is shaky or unsteady
    33. Projected image is out of focus
    34. Shooting in other countries
    35. Troubleshooting Tips
  15. 6. Cameras
    1. Aaton A-minima
    2. Aaton XTR prod
    3. Aaton 35
    4. Arriflex 16BL
    5. Arriflex 16S/SB
    6. Arriflex 16 SR1, 16 SR2 AND 16 SR3
    7. Arriflex Arricam Lite (LT)
    8. Arriflex Arricam Studio (ST)
    9. Arriflex 535A and 535B
    10. Arriflex 435
    11. Arriflex 35BL3 and 35BL4
    12. Arriflex 35-3
    13. Arriflex 2-C
    14. Arriflex 765
    15. Bell & Howell Eyemo
    16. Cinema Products CP16
    17. Eclair ACL
    18. Eclair NPR
    19. Image 300
    20. Krasnogorsk K-3
    21. Leonetti Ultracam
    22. Mitchell BNC
    23. Moviecam Compact and Moviecam Super America
    24. Moviecam SL
    25. Panavision Panaflex 16
    26. Panavision Panaflex Golden and GII
    27. Panavision Panaflex Millennium
    28. Panavision Panaflex Platinum
    29. Panavision Panaflex X
    30. Panavision Panastar I and Panastar II
    31. Panavision Super PSR
    32. Panavision Panaflex 65
    33. Panavision 65 mm High Speed
    34. Panavision 65 mm Hand Held
    35. Photo-Sonics Actionmaster 500
    36. Photo-Sonics 1VN
    37. Photo-Sonics NAC E-10
    38. Photo-Sonics 35-4B/4C
    39. Photo-Sonics 35-4E/ER
    40. Photo-Sonics 35-4ML
  16. 7. Before, During, and After the Job
    1. Union or Non-Union
    2. Joining the Union
    3. Before the Job
      1. The Résumé
      2. The Job Interview
    4. During the Job
    5. After the Job
      1. Invoicing and Filling in the Time Card
      2. Networking
  17. Appendix A Film Stock
  18. Appendix B Equipment
    1. Cameras
    2. Camera Lenses and Accessories
    3. Specialized Camera Accessories
    4. Camera Filters
    5. Heads and Tripods
  19. Appendix C Camera Department Checklists, Production Forms, and Labels
    1. Forms and Checklists
    2. Labels
  20. Appendix D Tools and Accessories
    1. Tools and Accessories
    2. Special Tools
    3. Arri Tools
    4. Expendables
    5. Miscellaneous Items
  21. Appendix E Tables and Formulas
    1. Tables
    2. Formulas
  22. Recommended Reading
  23. Glossary
  24. Index

Product information

  • Title: The Camera Assistant's Manual, 4th Edition
  • Author(s): SOC David E. Elkins
  • Release date: January 2005
  • Publisher(s): Focal Press
  • ISBN: 9781136048814