50 Things That Suck for Camera Assistants (and 50 Things That Don’t)

Camera Assisting 47 Comments

50 Things That Suck for Camera Assistants (and 50 Things That Don't)

Filmmaking isn’t always fun. Sometimes it can suck — and suck pretty hard.

I’ve made no secret of that fact having been dragged through 17 hour days, dealt with executive producers on power trips, and making mistakes of my own.

But those are big picture items and the truth is, it’s the little things that annoy us the most.

So when I read a post at Dollygrippery succinctly titled “Things That Suck,” it clicked with me. Even though I’ve never been a dolly grip, I connected with the list of small troubles that quickly add up. And my mind raced with things that I, as a camera assistant, have to deal with that suck.

Let’s just say it didn’t take me long to come up with 50 of them.

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How to Prep Your Camera for a Walkaway

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How to Prep Your Camera for a WalkawayCreative Commons License photo credit: John Brawley

The walkaway: when you leave almost every piece of gear still-built in the location you’re filming at to continue using it in the same location the next day.

At the end of a long day (or any day, really), walkaways are welcomed with relief.

For camera assistants, it means less prep time building the camera in the morning. For production, it means faster movement towards the first shot of the day.

But just because you get to walkaway from your gear and not have to pack it away doesn’t mean you should get up and leave at wrap. Instead, you need to take great care in making sure it will be safe, secure, and enjoy its overnight sleepover at the location you’re filming.
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What It Really Means When You “Shoot the Rehearsal”

Camera Assisting 5 Comments

Shoot the Rehearsal Sharable

Camera assistants, camera operators, and cinematographers understand the value of rehearsing a shot more than anyone on a film set.

For all of them, it’s a chance to work out the kinks of a complicated camera move. A chance to keep a shot in focus and an actor in frame. A chance to deliver a shot worth circling on take one.

Ed Colman, a talented cinematographer who loved to give advice on the Cinematography Mailing List, knew the value of rehearsals, but also spoke about the realities of their demise.

Of all the great wisdom he shared, one remark — said during a discussion on pulling focus — speaks directly about the push-pull for rehearsals and takes: “When you are told to ‘shoot the rehearsal’ it’s not a rehearsal any more.”

So when a rehearsal has transformed into a take, will you be ready?

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How to Eat Healthy on a Film Set and Avoid the Temptations of Crafty

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Assorted Stacked Fruit for Healthy Eating on a Film SetCreative Commons License photo credit: Lori Greig

Between all the pressures, anxieties, and sleepless days on set, it’s a wonder anybody manages to stay alive for long in the film industry — it isn’t exactly condusive to healthy living.

A large part of the unhealthiness pervasive on sets is the diet of crew members. When you have sour skittles and twizzlers constantly in supply at the craft services table and keep yourself awake by chugging Red Bulls every hour, you aren’t treating your body kindly.

And it can catch up to you — you get tired, sluggish, irritable and even, well, fatter.

There are definite advantages to eating healthy, but it’s hard to make that adjustment when you’re in the fast-paced production world. Still, even the smallest steps towards eating healthier on set are better than no steps at all.

So let’s take a look at some tactics to help yourself be healthy the next time you swing by crafty.
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Take 5 Minutes to Clean Your Camera at the End of Each Day

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Take 5 Minutes to Clean Your Camera at the End of the Day

It’s tempting to pack away gear as quickly as possible when wrap is called and get home in time to eek a few hours out of your turnaround.

But if you can afford five more minutes, you should take the time to clean your camera properly.

Not all camera assistants (AC’s) do this. I’ve certainly had DP’s, directors, and even other AC’s comment when I clean the camera: ”Oh wow! Taking this seriously, huh?”

To which I respond: “If you’re going to do something, you might as well do it right.”
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Watch This Honest “Behind the Scenes” Video of a Film Crew at Work

Behind the Lens 7 Comments

It’s rare that any behind-the-scenes video gives an honest look at a film crew.

I find most “Making of” or “Behind the Scenes” featurettes to skip over the true filmmaking process in exchange for giving the celebrities of the set more screen time in talking head interviews.

That’s fine for the general public who, in general, could care less about a dolly grip or a camera assistant, but it irks those of us who would prefer people understand the true happenings of the film industry with a glimpse below-the-line.

Luckily, the video embedded above does just that courtesy of The Nerdwriter, Evan Puschak.

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Pay Me, Teach Me, or Create with Me

Getting Work 5 Comments

Pay Me, Teach Me, or Create with MeCreative Commons License photo credit: Kara Allyson

As a freelancer, panic often sets in when your calendar looks empty. There’s a feeling that a blank canvas equals an unsuccessful career. Or that free time shouldn’t be welcomed, but feared.

While some uncertainty can act as useful motivation, it can be a dangerous mentality when you consider it also opens us to pursue any opportunities – even if they’re not good ones.

With an empty calendar, it’s hard to turn down a gig. After all, what else do you have to do, right?

But not every job is worth taking when you consider the opportunity costs.

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Why You Should Always Use Two Latches to Close a Lens Case

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One Latch vs. Two Latchesphoto credit: Adam Richlin

When you fetch a lens from the lens case, do you use one or two latches?

For whatever reason, this is a question that I see many camera assistants debate.

On one side you have the group who prefers one latch because it’s faster to get into the case and get what you need. On the other side, you have those who use two latches, primarily for safety.

I fall firmly in the latter group and always — seriously, always — use two latches on the lens case.

And here’s why…

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Five Tips for Holding the Slate Properly When Marking a Shot

Camera Assisting 17 Comments

How to Hold a Slate Properly

It’s over in only a few seconds: ”Mark it!” *CLAP*

Yet slating — clapping the sticks on a slateboard to mark a scene — is more important than the time it’s given on set. It helps crew in post-production sync sound, organize shots, and even provides quick color references.

The duty of slating falls to the 2nd assistant camera (AC), who works in tandem with the script-supervisor to put the correct info on the slate. The 2nd AC must also stand in front of the camera, hold the slate, and clap the sticks.

Holding the slate seems like an obvious act — and it largely is — but you should take these five tips into consideration before stepping in front of the camera.

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Dick Barth’s Four Rules of Camera Assisting

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Camera assisting is an insanely complex profession.

It’s a job that requires an understanding of both creative vision and technical precision while demanding perfection under the strictest of deadlines.

But at its core, it can be whittled down to four simple rules set forth by legendary camera assistant Dick Barth who took a no-nonsense approach to the craft.

Are you doing everything you can to follow them?

Dick Barth's Four Rules of Camera Assisting
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