For some in the film industry, the summer season is when things get slow and you get a chance to kick back for a vacation. For others, it’s the ramping up of a long-awaited feature film that is finally leaving pre-production behind for the chaos of the set.

Most likely, you’re somewhere in between: hoping to get a decent amount of summer relaxation offset by the tough work of hustling on a show.

But whichever category you fall into, you’ll always have a place to come each week at The Black and Blue and read some of the best comments on the web about camera assisting — no matter which season it is.

This Week’s Comments

Here are some of the best comments from the site from this week in no particular order.

1. Chris Summers on 7 Last-Minute Checks Before You Roll Camera

I was always taught F.A.S.T. Filters, Aperture, Speed, Tachometer

• Filters – compensate for Color as well as exposure calculations. (some also use F for Focus i.e. “have you got your marks man!?”
• Aperture – calculate correct aperture to be set on the lens based on F, S & T
• Speed – Shutter speed / Shutter Angle. (although some AC’s say no, this is speed of the stock, but for me that makes no sense, it’s dialled into the DP’s meter)
• Tachometer = Frame rate or F.P.S.

I like your additions and all very true. Batteries and Mags, I always get my 2nd AC to check me on these 2 things. When I was a 2nd, I was always backing up my 1st making sure correct filter labels, FPS labels and Shutter labels where on the camera’s and correct. Back your team up and assign responsibilities.

We could also add, Flares! what does the lens or filter look like? Any flagging needed?

Also, when changing stock types for e.g. a 50D to a 250D or 500T, I like to ask the DP if he has changed his meter to the new stock. Most appreciate it (is i’ve seen DOP’s get caught out a few shots or takes in) others take offence and I don’t ask them again.

2. Dominic on 7 Last-Minute Checks Before You Roll Camera

Right before the first take after a stock change I used to tell the operator our stop and stock, something like: “5.6 on 250.” In telling rather then asking, it sound’s more like you’re double checking yourself, and not the operator.

3. Tom C. Hall on How Do You Like Them Apple Boxes?

Here we call them from shortest to tallest number 1, 2 & 3.

Also I’ve heard the tallest referred to as a Tom Cruise when it needs to be stood on.

4. Thadeus on How Do You Like Them Apple Boxes?

My favorite apple box use was when I was working g&e on a documentary and the director said he wished he could have a dolly shot. 15 minutes later I rolled in a dolly I made out a handcart, three apples, couple bungees, and some dirt. It was a thing of beauty.

5. Pete Smithsuth on The Human Element: Or How Accidents Happen

I was chatting with a 2nd AC one day on set. We had a new electrician on set and he was a trying to assert his roles being new.

We saw him walking on a roof of a two story building. We joked and said that someone should tell him how old the roof looked. Before any of us even had time to reflect on that sentence, of course he fell through. He grabbed on to some electrical wiring in the ceiling but it ripped and shocked him. He was fine after a night in the hospital and had to be replaced.

It was a good lesson for the rest of the crew on that show. Probably not great to be that guy though..

Thank You for Your Comments!

Instead of asking you to leave comments or giving you a good reason why you should — and you should! — I want to simply say thanks to you for leaving such awesome comments all the time.

I wish I could show you every e-mail I get that says how helpful the posts are as well as the comments.

In my most humblest tone, thank you for helping me grow The Black and Blue. Without you, it wouldn’t be where it is today.