Good morning everyone, today I am coming to talk to you about Camera Assistant (Portable Single Camera) according to Creative skill set.
Camera Assistants offer general support to the camera department, carrying out simple tasks such as collecting camera equipment from a hire company, and delivering messages to the production office. There are two main types of Camera Assistant, Second Camera Assistants and First Camera Assistants.
Second Camera Assistants have specific responsibilities involving camera maintenance and film or tape stock control. On productions shot on film, they load and unload the camera magazine (a removable section of the camera that houses each roll of film) and ensure that the correct stock (type of film) is used. They also charge camera batteries and ensure that other camera accessories are ready (standing by) in case the Director of Photography (DoP or DP) or Camera Operator requests them.
Second Camera Assistants are also responsible for the clapperboard and write daily camera reports, logging how much film has been shot, which shots are on each roll of film, and any special processing instructions, or the numbers of tapes used, and time-code details. They may also take the daily rushes (unedited material) to the laboratory or hand them over to the production office.
First Camera Assistants (Focus Pullers) give more hands-on support to Camera Operators and DPs. They calculate the correct focus settings for each shot and all other camera variables. They prepare the camera and adjust it during filming so as to keep specific parts of the shot in focus (known as ‘pulling focus’). Throughout each shooting day, they also check and store (‘wrap’) the camera kit.
On documentaries or factual programmers, the camera department is much smaller than on film shoots, usually only involving a Lighting Cameraperson or Camera Operator and a Camera Assistant. Camera Assistants offer support to the Lighting Cameraperson or Camera Operator by preparing and labelling tapes and other materials, maintaining and preparing camera accessories and lighting equipment, and assisting with camera operation.
Have you thought about what it takes to be a Camera Assistant (Portable Single Camera)? Please share your comments with me and others because I have more to share tomorrow.