Camera Assistant | RESEARCH
First Camera Assistant | 1st AC or the Focus Puller
It can be the hardest job on the crew. While everyone else is on a break, the Camera Assistant is usually working. Camera Assistants are usually the first people to start work and the last people to finish.
Main things they have to focus on:
1. Adjusting the camera lens or 'pulling focus' to follow the action on set
2. Managing and maintaining camera equipment and accessories
3. Following instructions from the Director or Director of Photography (DoP)
But to do all that you have to have excellent knowledge of cameras, lenses and all related equipment. He or She has to do a lot of homework, keep up-to-date with newest techniques and equipment. They have to be good at judging distances, have agility and speed. they have to pay precise attention to details. As the last but not less important they have to know about health and safety legislation and procedures.
What does a First Camera Assistant do?
1st ACs are responsible for focusing and refocusing the camera lens as Actors move within the frame of each shot. They do not look though the lens to do this but 'pull focus' according to a set of complex marks placed on the set.
As it is impossible to see whether the focus is sharp until the rushes (raw footage) are screened, 1st ACs rely on experience and instinct for each focal adjustment. Because re-shooting scenes is expensive and actors may be unable to recreate their best take
1st ACs are also responsible for camera equipment such as lenses, filters and matt boxes and for assembling the camera and its accessories for different shots.
They arrive on set or in the studio before the Director, Director of Photography and Camera Operator and ensure that the camera and all required lenses are prepared for the day's shoot. If the Director or DoP wants to try out a specific lens, the 1st AC assembles the camera so that they can look through the eyepiece to assess the shot. At the end of each shooting day, 1st ACs clean the equipment and pack it up in preparation for the next day.
1st ACs are also responsible for camera equipment such as lenses, filters and matt boxes and for assembling the camera and its accessories for different shots.
They arrive on set or in the studio before the Director, Director of Photography and Camera Operator and ensure that the camera and all required lenses are prepared for the day's shoot. If the Director or DoP wants to try out a specific lens, the 1st AC assembles the camera so that they can look through the eyepiece to assess the shot. At the end of each shooting day, 1st ACs clean the equipment and pack it up in preparation for the next day.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Second Camera Assistant | 2nd AC or Clapper Loader
Main things they have to focus on:
1. Preparing the camera, loading new batteries and film, and changing lenses2. Operating the clapperboard and managing the camera paperwork
3. Working closely with the 1st AC rest of the Camera team
To be able to that they have to have to know about all camera equipment, film stocks and processing techniques. They have to have understanding of all camera department paperwork and administration. that's why they have excellent organisation skills. They have to be fast, communicate effectively, focused on details and also know about health and safety regulations and procedures.
What does a Second Camera Assistant do?
2nd ACs help the Camera Operator to position and move the camera. They are responsible for loading and unloading film magazines, changing and charging camera batteries and changing lenses. They must work quickly so that the flow of filming is not disrupted.
During the shoot, 2nd ACs begin work early in the mornings, unloading, organising and preparing all of the camera equipment for each day's work. During rehearsals, they mark-up the Actors' positions, enabling the 1st AC to calculate any changes in focus. When the camera starts to roll, 2nd ACs mark each take with a clapperboard, which identifies the take and enables the Assistant Editor to synchronise the sound and picture in preparation for editing.
2nd ACs position themselves next to the camera, where they can anticipate all camera movements and monitor how much film stock is being used. They must know when a new film magazine should be prepared. At the end of each shooting day, 2nd ACs pack away all the equipment, label up film cans and dispatch them to the labs with detailed camera sheets.
0 comments: