The Camera Assistant: A Complete Professional HandbookVeteran camera assistant Doug Hart describes in this comprehensive technical guide all of the important facets and duties of the first and second camera assistants' jobs. Whether it is feature films, episodic television, documentaries, commercials, or music videos, The Camera Assistant: A Complete Professional Handbook explains both the practice and theory behind it with a concentration on technique rather than equipment. In addition, personal anecdotes from the author's years behind and beside the camera provide insight into this demanding field. Key topics include film formats and aspect ratios, testing lenses and camera equipment, focus theory, film loading and labeling, scene blocking, marking actors, shooting tips, slating, paperwork, equipment maintenance, set etiquette, and finding work. This is not a camera equipment handbook; it is a comprehensive procedures manual which describes and explains the most important responsibilities of the camera assistant on the set, the theory behind the practice, and the methods that get the job done properly and keep the assistant frequently employed. Douglas C. Hart has been a freelance first-camera assistant on feature films, documentaries, television shows, and commercials for more than 20 years, including 10 years (and 10 films) as first-camera assistant to Gordon Willis, ASC, as well as work in 42 states and 26 foreign countries. His work includes Presumed Innocent, Hannah and Her Sisters, The Cosby Mysteries, and CBS's Central Park West. He is a member and former president of the International Photographers Local 644, IATSE, and teaches the Camera Assistant Workshops at the International Film and Television Workshops in Rockport, Maine. |
Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction to Camera Assisting | 1 |
Chapter 2 Responsibilities of the Camera Assistant | 7 |
Chapter 3 Film Formats and Aspect Ratios | 23 |
Chapter 4 The Camera Equipment Checkout | 37 |
Chapter 5 Shooting Tests During Checkout | 103 |
Chapter 6 LoadingUnloading | 125 |
Chapter 7 Lenses | 161 |
Chapter 8 Filters | 177 |
Chapter 13 Paperwork | 343 |
Chapter 14 Video Assist Systems | 361 |
Chapter 15 Tools and Supplies | 367 |
Chapter 16 Education of a Camera Assistant and Finding Work Afterwards | 383 |
Bibliography | 395 |
Expendable Supplies Shopping List | 398 |
Camera Equipment Checkout Checklist | 402 |
Useful Formulas and Charts | 405 |
Common terms and phrases
actors Anamorphic and/or aperture Arri Arriflex batteries cable Camera Assistant camera body camera equipment Camera Operator Camera Report camera truck chart Checkout Circle of Confusion clean color crew darkroom Depth-of-Field Diopter Director of Photography dolly Dolly Grip emulsion exposure eyepiece f/stop feet Figure film stock filter finder focal length focus marks focus scale footage frame front gate gear head Grip ground glass Hyperfocal Distance inside keep label lens mount lenses light loading look magazine manufacturer matte box meter motion picture motor moving negative Panaflex Panavision perforations printed problem rental house roll of film running scene scratches screen Second Assistant Second Camera Assistant shooting short end shot shutter shutter angle side sometimes sound recorder speed Steadicam sticks stop sure switch sync tail slate take number target things union usually video assist viewfinder zoom lens