Have you ever wanted to sit down for coffee with an industry pro just to ask them a few questions about their experience and their life as a crew member? That’s exactly what a Reddit AMA (ask me anything) is like – a virtual version of a coffee meet-up. And though it won’t get you that latte you’re craving, this AMA with a union camera assistant may help you answer a few questions.
Filmmaking Tips and Advice
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Raw Stock: Storing Lenses, Shouldering Blame, and Setting Day Rates
Raw Stock is here with four new questions from readers of The Black and Blue. This week’s topics include how to make sure gear is reliable when renting, the proper way to store lenses, setting day rates, and taking unfair blame on set.
Introducing Focal Points: 7 Awesome Filmmaking Articles
Focal points is a weekly summary of the best around the web from the filmmaking community. From videos to articles to apps and everything in between, focal points focuses on the greatest filmmaking resources available – starting with these seven awesome filmmaking articles.
Why Camera Assistants Don’t Need a Showreel
Recently I stumbled across a showreel for a camera assistant that I found, frankly, unimpressive and pointless. For a job that’s more technical than it is creative, do camera assistants do anything worth showing off in a reel? And, if so, is it valuable to have one?
How to Work with a Camera You’ve Never Touched Before (Part 2)
Stepping on set for day one always comes with a tinge of anxiety and nervousness. You’re meeting crew for the first time, maybe taking a step up the ladder, and sometimes working with a brand new camera you’ve got little experience with. So, what do you do?
How to Work with a Camera You’ve Never Touched Before
When it comes to cameras, there’s more options now than ever before. That’s great for cinematographers, but it leaves camera assistants struggling to wrap their heads around a staggering number of camera systems. Inevitably, you’re going to come across one you haven’t even touched before. So, how do you handle it?
Introducing Raw Stock: Your Questions Answered Fresh from My Inbox
Raw Stock is all about answering your questions: Where can I get a list of all filter tags? How do you explain a camera system to a DP? What is the deal with 23.98 fps? Sent from actual readers, these emails get answered in the inaugural edition of Raw Stock.
What Do You Want to Do On Set?
Filmmaking isn’t only about directing or operating the camera. Crew, and all their various talents, fit into an incredibly complex filmmaking machine designed to grind hours into footage. So the question is: where do you fit within that machine? And what do you want to do on set?
Keep Your Eyes on the Talent with This Quick Focus Pulling Tip
Have you ever been pulling focus and found yourself off the mark during that split-second in which you glanced between the actor in a scene and your marks on the follow focus? It only takes a split second for the focus to go soft. By that time, the camera operator mutters, “Buzzy” and you know you’re going to need another take.
Welcome to The Black and Blue 4.0!
This is the most significant change for The Black and Blue in its history. With this new look, I want to help you discover more tips and tricks while sharing my passion for filmmaking. But I also want to reaffirm what has always made The Black and Blue great.