Having tabbed paper tape makes things much easier when clearing or moving actors’ marks on set (especially with a tagboard.) Unfortunately, tabbing tape can be a tedious process if you rip a piece, tab it, then place it. In this quick “how to,” I will show a more efficient way to rip and tab tape at the same time allowing for fast application of it on set where time is crucial.
Camera Assisting
How to Get Better at Pulling Focus, Slating, and Being a Badass AC
Most Recent Articles in "Camera Assisting"
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Great Method for Focus Pulling on Long Lenses
Garwood claims this is the “most effective” method for focusing on long lenses, especially with subjects traveling to or away the barrel of the lens. Since he does such a good job explaining the method himself, I will let the tip stand on it’s own.
Auto-Focus: Being an Invisible Camera Assistant
When I reveal I’m a camera assistant I am often quick to follow up with a job description to people. The confused look on their faces says it all. Nobody knows what an AC does and the word “assistant” distracts from the real responsibilities.
‘Focused’ The Profile of a Camera Assistant (Video)
This video comes from the UK’s “4Talent” show in 2008. It profiles camera assistant Gordon McMillan, who actually is technically a focus puller (the British film system is different from the American system).
Digital Media Management Best Practices
When shooting digital cinema, it’s important to have your workflow set out ahead of time. While film has an established protocol (for the most part) with handling printed takes, short ends, etc., the digital world has many options that can be cumbersome if not thoroughly explored.
The Subtleties of the Slate Video
Slating can be tough. It’s not enough just to do it OK – you have to perfect all sorts of nuances and tricks. With that in mind, this video, “The Subtleties of the Slate,” is a welcome tutorial in the more advanced methods of master clappers.
The Art of Pulling Focus (Video from FreshDV)
Here is a video from FreshDV’s Film School, a series that centers on a career camera assistant explaining his job and giving advice on how to pull focus. This particular video is one I watched when was I first learning how to pull focus.
Tarantino’s 2nd Assistant Camera Slate Montage (Video)
Watch a montage of all the creative slates done by the Italian 2nd Assistant Camera on Inglourious Basterds.
Amazing Shot Done with Incredible Teamwork by Steadicam Op and Camera Assistant (Video)
This amazing Steadicam shot comes from the video of a foreign pop star’s concert. For the sake of always having it available, I wanted to post it here and so that other people can get the opportunity to see how incredibly awesome this shot is.