Camera assistant

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A camera assistant is a member of the camera department of a film crew. While in the documentary and current areas people often work without a camera assistant nowadays, two assistants are almost always involved in the shooting of feature films or television films. The first assistant camera is primarily responsible for the focus , the second assistant camera opens the clapperboard. In addition, in the case of scenic productions, the Director of Photography has overall responsibility for the image material, but the technical responsibility for the camera technology and the material is transferred to the first camera assistant.

1. Camera assistant

The main task of the first assistant camera (1.AC or "focus puller") is, as the job title "focus puller" makes clear, the precise setting, tracking and shifting of the focus during the recording. The "pulling focus" or "pulling focus" refers to the manual change of the focus plane on the lens. If, for example, an actor moves towards the camera, the 1st camera assistant will simultaneously track the change in the plane of focus in the image on the lens, so that the actor always remains sharp in the image. Depending on the aperture set and the focal length of the lens, the depth of field in the image can sometimes only be a few centimeters. Focusing therefore requires, in addition to the exact measurement of the distance between the actor and the camera before the recording, in the event of spontaneous changes in position of the actor during the recording, a very precise eye. Blurring in the image usually means that the exposure has to be repeated.

He is the responsible technician in the camera team, responsible for the proper functioning of all devices in the camera department as well as their assembly and dismantling and one of the most important employees of the DoP (Director of Photography). Before shooting begins, he puts together the camera equipment required by the cameraman and tests it to ensure that it is working properly. For production , the 1st camera assistant is the contact person for all technical issues in the camera department. He takes care of additional equipment, additional personnel and the exchange of equipment. The 2nd camera assistant and other members of the camera staff (additional 1st assistants, 2nd assistants, video operators or camera interns) are subordinate to the 1st camera assistant.

For larger cinema productions, e.g. B. in Hollywood, a division of the tasks between two employees is common. A focus puller, who almost exclusively takes care of focus control and focus design, and a 1st camera assistant (1st AC) for all other tasks mentioned here. The tasks and position of the 2nd camera assistant are essentially unaffected by this division.

While first camera assistant is an independent profession with a high level of responsibility, it also represents a sensible preparation for the profession of operator and cinematographer / DoP .

Qualification of the 1st camera assistant

His task is the manual, technical and, to a limited extent, organizational cooperation in the production of film, television and video productions. This requires advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in the following areas:

  1. photography
  2. Optics and filter science
  3. Film material science
  4. Video technology and signal transmission
  5. electronic recording and storage formats / systems
  6. Camera technology: handling; Functionality; Use and compatibility of all common camera systems, their additional parts and devices (film or electronic)
  7. Film light: characteristics and possible uses
  8. Copier technology and film processing, PC and peripherals
  9. Basic knowledge of post production and color correction techniques
  10. Process of a film or television production
  11. Basic understanding of the techniques and possibilities of classic and digital cinematography and their differences
  12. Time Code (setting on the camera, comparison of the time code of several cameras, playback)

Duties and craft of the 1st camera assistant

Broken down according to the production phases preparation, shooting time and follow-up, the craft of the first camera assistant includes:

Preparation:

  1. Reading the script, especially with regard to special recording techniques and the special and additional equipment required
  2. In consultation with the DoP: Creation of the camera device list, request for additional devices for temporary use, communication with production and camera rental
  3. Request for recording material or media for data storage (if necessary in consultation with DIT or post-production),
  4. Establishing communication with post-production according to the DoP's specifications in terms of design and, if necessary, with regard to data and quality assurance
  5. Compilation of the devices at a rental shop: Functional and visual inspection of all devices; Lens and camera tests; Test control and, if necessary, test repetition and device replacement
  6. Possibly. Support of the DIT in workflow test runs in cooperation with post-production
  7. In certain cases, determination of the sensitivity of the electronic camera with logging for the DoP; Creation of the camera setup according to the DoP
  8. Control of the correct and complete delivery of the devices

Shooting time:

  1. Assembly, modification and dismantling of the camera (in cooperation with the second assistant, the camera stage, etc.)
  2. Lens, filter and cassette change or change of recording media
  3. Checking the camera, lenses and filters for function and cleanliness; if necessary, regular control of the back focus
  4. Setting of all camera and lens parameters e.g. B. Setting the sector aperture; Switching the camera to reverse, slow motion, time lapse, ramps; Ensuring a flicker-free recording; Setting of light sector / exposure time, frame rate and u. U. format; Control and, if necessary, adjustment of all other camera parameters (system, recording, monitoring, meta data, user button assignment, etc.)
  5. Connection and control of other additional devices of the camera (e.g. compendium, radio focus, video reflection, monitors, etc.)
  6. Elimination of disruptive incidence of light into the lens
  7. Responsibility for focus adjustment and focus control, d. H. precise setting, tracking and shifting of the sharpness during the recording according to the given technical conditions and according to dramaturgical specifications
  8. Lint and scratch control when recording films; Control of the digital recording by querying the drop-out status display, by playback or by consulting the DIT
  9. Basic setting and checking of the control monitor as well as the vectorscope and waveform monitor
  10. Carrying out minor repairs to cameras and additional devices
  11. Communication with the copy shop / post production and with the editing room, in particular with regard to design issues on behalf of the cinematographer, also in matters of data and quality assurance in consultation with the DIT
  12. Communication with production and equipment rental via the temporary use of additional equipment and personnel
  13. Attendance at the sample demonstration or assessment of the sample depending on the type of sample (DVD, online sample etc.)
  14. Trial development / test recording and viewing if insurance is required

post processing

  1. In cooperation with the second camera assistant and, if necessary, the DIT and the data assistant, completeness check, cleaning and return of the camera equipment

2. Camera assistant

The second assistant camera ("2nd assistant camera", short 2.AC or " clapper loader " or " film loader ") (outdated: material assistant ) is an independent qualification. The most important task of the second camera assistant is the management and organization of the equipment pool; his most visible task is to hit the clapperboard while filming. In addition, the second supports the first camera assistant / focus puller in all technical, technical and organizational matters, especially when setting the focus. When recording on film, there is also the handling and administration of the raw film material or the exposed negative. Ever decreasing time budgets, with increasing expenditure on equipment, make the use of a qualified second assistant indispensable. The second camera assistant is a useful preliminary stage to the first assistant. During the shooting , the material assistant is responsible for managing the exposed and unexposed film material through to its packaging and handover to the production company. and if necessary, beating the clapperboard .

After filming , he checks the completeness of the camera equipment, cleans it and delivers it back to the distributor / production company. Together with the production management, he also does the material accounting if necessary.

Qualification of the 2nd camera assistant

The second camera assistant supports the first assistant in all manual, technical and organizational matters in the production of film, television and video productions. This requires basic theoretical and practical knowledge in the following areas:

  1. photography
  2. Optics and filter science
  3. Film material science
  4. Video technology and signal transmission
  5. electronic recording and storage formats / systems
  6. Camera technology: handling; Functionality; Application and compatibility of common camera systems, their additional parts and devices (film or electronic)
  7. Copier technology and film processing, PC and peripherals
  8. Basic knowledge of post production and color correction techniques
  9. Process of a film or television production
  10. Basic understanding of the techniques and possibilities in classic and digital cinematography and their differences
  11. Time code (setting on the camera, comparison of the time code of several cameras, playback)

Tasks and craft of the 2nd camera assistant

Broken down according to the production phases preparation, shooting time and follow-up, the craft of the second camera assistant includes:

Preparation:

  1. Consultation with production about storage and transport of the devices and the recording material (camera truck, insured parking space)
  2. Procurement of the necessary consumables
  3. Acceptance of the recording material (film or storage media)
  4. Order to the copier for sensitometry tests during film shoots
  5. Support of the first assistant with lens, camera and material tests

Shooting time:

  1. Preparation and provision of the extensive equipment for the individual, current shooting tasks in consultation with the first assistant and, if necessary, the DIT
  2. Handing over and accepting devices and device components when the camera is modified
  3. Connection, control and setting of the video reflection and other additional devices. Ensuring the video connection via cable or radio (in the event that there is no video operator or data assistant in the team)
  4. Assistance to the first assistant in setting the focus. This includes determining distances, adding focus marks and checking positions while taking a picture
  5. Support of the first camera assistant in all other technical and organizational matters
  6. Prepare and hit the synchro-key after consultation with Continuity (accurate marking of picture and sound; emotional "countdown" before recording)
  7. When shooting on film, loading and unloading of the film material
  8. In the case of recordings on film, management of the exposed and unexposed film material through to transportable packaging and handover to the production company (in the case of data-based recording, the corresponding task falls within the responsibility of the DIT or the data assistant)
  9. Keeping the negative reports (for film shoots) and the optics book etc.
  10. Regular comparison of the material status with the daily report
  11. Stowing the devices for transport
  12. Regular charging of the various, numerous batteries in the camera department
  13. Care of all camera equipment

Postprocessing:

  1. Completeness check, cleaning and return of the camera equipment in cooperation with the first assistant and the DIT
  2. Material accounting for recordings on film

Remarks

  1. a b formerly and now obsolete, also referred to as "material assistant"

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