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Filmmaking Tips for Camera Assistants

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Comment Corner at The Black and Blue

Comment Corner: Week of May 2nd

Everyday I get emails from people who tell me the articles on this site and the comments with them have helped them tremendously. They can't thank me enough for how informative they are. So it's not just me who is making this site a great resource, it's you as well!

by Evan Luzi | Comment Corner | May 8, 2011 | Comments: 0

This week was all about helping you stay busy on set while remaining invisible — ninja style — and when all that was done, you could take a look up at the big screen in the theater and see your name. As long as the footage got transferred safely, that is.

But both you and I know what I have to say is only half the story — what you contribute in the comments holds it’s weight in gold. So let’s take a look at the best comments from the past week (and one from the archives).

This Week’s Comments

Here are this week’s comments in no particular order

1. FB on The Satisfaction of Seeing Your Name On Screen

I agree with what you wrote, and many things should be said about the “magic”..I still feel it, even now, I’ve been awake for 48 hours and I have to be on set in 5 hours….

2. Jayson on The Satisfaction of Seeing Your Name On Screen

Ha! The first time my name appeared on a big screen my mother was with me. She stood up in the middle of the theater and yelled “Woo hoo!” And applauded really loudly. I was mortified.

Note: Happy Mother’s Day to all you US readers and moms :)

3. Phillip Jackson on 27 Ways You Can Stay Busy On Set

Something I try and always do is look at the lighting/set up. Whether you are in camera or G&E, you spend so much time doing a lot of small parts that eventually make one nice image. So if you do have the time to spare, you should try and see how the light is playing to cast a mood or how this dolly move aids the scene. I always ask, how would I do it? Sometimes you pick up a cool set up and others you just strengthen the way you’d light.

4. Kyle Leach on 27 Ways You Can Stay Busy On Set

i think these fall under your 27 categories, but just some other things I do to keep busy as a G&E:
turn C-47s into C-74s and pass em out to the crew or clip em onto scrim bags, make sure cables are wrapped properly, sandbag everything, “tennis ball”/”water bottle” potential eye hazards (though, this should probably be done right away…), 10-1 or -2 while you can, pump the dolly, etc.

5. Kyle Peters on 3 Simple Ways to Become a Better Focus Puller

The way it was taught to me was to think of the follow focus wheel as a yo-yo with a string extended out to the subject. If they come closer, pull the “string” in, if they move away, let the “string” out. Not sure that makes sense in writing, but in practice it’s intuitive.

Your Turn to Get Involved

Everyday I get emails from people who tell me the articles on this site and the comments with them have helped them tremendously. They can’t thank me enough for how informative they are.

So it’s not just me who is making this site a great resource, it’s you as well!

Please continue to leave great comments, whether here on the site or over on The Black and Blue Facebook Page (it’s up to over 700 fans now!) and Twitter account.

About the AuthorEvan Luzi

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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.

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Read Next

Comment Corner at The Black and Blue

Comment Corner: Week of June 6th

Comment Corner is coming fresh as ever today with five of the best comments from around the site including one from Facebook and another that dips into the archives of the site.

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  • Comment Corner: Week of June 27th
  • Comment Corner: Week of July 11th
The Ultimate Guide to a Camera Assistant's Toolkit

The Ultimate Guide to a Camera Assistant's Toolkit

Every camera assistant will have different tools depending on how they work. That’s why it’s important to peak into what other camera assistants have to offer. So I’m going to show you what I have in my toolkit today and also give you advice on what I think you should have in yours.

  • Deciphering the Film Slate (Part 1): What to Write on a Clapperboard
  • 2 Easy to Use Camera Report Templates
  • 100 Great Resources for Cinematographers, Camera Assistants, and Film Professionals
  • Slating the Alphabet from Apple to X-Ray

Does anybody who's not a Netflix or WB executive want this deal to happen?

  • We AC's Are a Short People
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  • 'The Gift of Room Tone' featuring Martin Scorsese, Roger Deakins, Cristopher Walken, and More
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.

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