The Black and Blue

Filmmaking Tips for Camera Assistants

  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Menu
  • 
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Free Ebook
  • Subscribe
  • Topics
    • Behind the Lens
    • Camera Assisting
    • Cameras
    • Getting Work
    • Industry News
    • Miscellaneous Tips
    • Production Stories
    • Toolkit
    • Website
  • About The Black and Blue
  • Contact Us
  • Sponsorship
  • Comment Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • 
  • R
  • 
  • ˆ
  • ‰
Comment Corner at The Black and Blue

Comment Corner: Week of Feb. 21st

I was more than pleased with the reception to "Comment Corner" last week, the new feature here at The Black and Blue where you, the readers, are highlighted. This week brought some more great comments from you and I'm happy to share with the rest of the readers the discussions that go on. I also have some big website news to announce at the end of the post.

by Evan Luzi | Comment Corner | February 27, 2011 | Comments: 0

This Week’s Comments

Last week I chose ten comments, but now we’ll be settling into the planned format of comment corner and choose the best five of the week.

Here they are (in no particular order):

1. FB on “Cameras Don’t Make Movies, People Do“

Conversation at a dinner party:
The cook tells the cinematographer ‘My, your movies are quite beautiful, you must use a really great camera’
The cinematographer responds, ‘Well, your meal is delicious, you must use really great pans.’

2. Tom Guilmette’s tweet about “Cameras Don’t Make Movies, People Do“

Well written. What type of keyboard did u use? ;-)

3. Eric Buist on “Cameras Don’t Make Movies, People Do“

I think the democratization of tools for creating films is great, but it creates a lot of noise that the stories that are actually good have to wade through. The fact is: if you create something good, it will rise to the top and reach the audience you want, no matter what camera you are using.

4. Jeremy Bernatchez on “5 Common Focus Pulling Mistakes“

Another mistake that can be made: not checking back focus! If that’s off, then your measurements will likely be off :)

That and using Red Pro Primes ;) Last time I used those, the markings were actually off. Ie: I’d be on T4 on one side, but on the opposite side (where the AC was reading) they’d be off as much as 1/2 a stop!

5. @arrimaniac’s tweet about “Ready to Wrap for Lunch? Do This First“

Common sense is useful in almost every situation as an AC ;)

The Big News

I have been secretly toiling away at The Black and Blue HQ for the past month now readying what will be a major shift in this website’s design.

That’s right — a redesign. I am telling you now because it is going live in two days on March 1st.

The new site is cleaner, less cluttered, and more representative of my aesthetics.

The current design, while it has served me well, has outgrown where I see this website going. It was a good enough standard theme that I applied to this site, but “good enough” is not the attitude I want to take with The Black and Blue.

I customized almost every last part of this new design and I think you will like it. You may have noticed a few small changes on the site already, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Along with the new design, there will also be some new features happening on the site that should give you access to even more resources and knowledge.

I am excited to reveal all of this on March 1st and I hope you stop by to check it out.

Related posts:

  1. Comment Corner: Week of May 16th
  2. Comment Corner: Week of July 25th
  3. Comment Corner: Week of August 1st
  4. Comment Corner: Week of August 8th

About the AuthorEvan Luzi

  • Follow Evan on Instagram
  • zVisit Evan’s website

Creator of The Black and Blue. Freelance camera assistant and camera operator for over a decade. He also runs a lot. Learn more about Evan here.

Read Next

Comment Corner at The Black and Blue

Comment Corner: Week of May 16th

If you're reading this then you're safe and I'm safe. It means we survived the impending rapture apocalypse that was predicted to take place yesterday. So now you can stop watching films like Mad Max and Terminator in preparation of a post-apocalyptic world and go back to a predictably normal life.

  • Comment Corner: Week of July 18th
  • Comment Corner: Week of July 25th
  • Comment Corner: Week of August 1st
  • Comment Corner: Week of August 8th
3 Simple Ways to Become a Better Focus Puller Over the Weekend

3 Simple Ways to Become a Better Focus Puller Over the Weekend

Do you find pulling focus to be tough? You're not the only one. As Sam Garwood says, it's "a really simple really difficult job." The physical act is easy, but the mental pressure is immense. Even if you're an experienced focus puller, honing the skill is an ongoing battle.

  • Should You Buy an AC Pouch to Wear On Set?
  • How to Build a "Bag of Tricks" You Can Pull From in a Pinch
  • 'Focused' The Profile of a Camera Assistant (Video)
  • 'Cloverfield' A Monstrous Thrill Ride

Happy Labor Day: The Film Industry Should Treat Crew Better

Today is Labor Day in the United States and, as we recognize this national holiday dedicated to the achievements of the American workforce, it's important to acknowledge that the crew in the film industry – the labor – hold more skill, talent, and power than is being recognized and rewarded.

  • 'The Gift of Room Tone' featuring Martin Scorsese, Roger Deakins, Cristopher Walken, and More
  • Focus Puller Chris Silano on Using the Preston Light Ranger
  • Tom Cruise Isn't Messing Around with COVID Safety
  • 20 Holiday Gifts for Camera Assistants (That Your Family Can Actually Afford)
Becoming the Reel Deal eBook Cover on iPad

It Only Takes One Gig.

Becoming the Reel Deal is a free downloadable eBook written to help you get your first job on set in the camera department so you can launch your film career.

Sign up now to get your free copy and exclusive tips from The Black and Blue.

Get Your Free Copy
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Credits
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 The Black and Blue, LLC