The Camera Assistant's Manual

The Fifth Edition of The Camera Assistant's Manual has been completely updated to reflect the technology of today, providing crucial guidance to student filmmakers as they prepare to enter the professional world and work as camera assistants.

David Elkins has the technical know-how to provide students with easy to follow advice about how to act on set, what a camera assistant is expected to do, and all the tips and tricks that will make a first or second camera assistant ready to advance to the next level. Readers will learn how the skill sets of a 1st or 2nd AC (Camera Assistant) in film and digital (HD) intertwine, how they differ, and all they need to know to do both jobs well. The advancements in HD and digital video are only adding to an already demanding job, and this fifth edition of The Camera Assistant's Manual provides Camera Assistant novices and experienced ACs alike with valuable knowledge that they need to work in both formats.

This nuts and bolts guide covers the basics of cinematography, how to maintain a camera, how to transport a camera, how to troubleshoot common problems that arise on set, and even advice about interviewing for the job. The new edition has also been updated to include new forms, checklists, tables, and illustrations that will be essential to the success of any camera assistant. Using problem solving skills, readers will hone proficiency both on the set and off, and they will find a vital tool for their toolkits in this book.

David E. Elkins is a working camera operator and first assistant cameraman with more than 25 years of professional experience working on feature films, television series, commercials, music videos, educational films, industrial films and much more. In addition to his production experience, he has taught numerous film production classes and workshops on both the east and west coasts of the United States. He is an active member of the International Cinematographers Guild Local 600 and Society of Camera Operators (SOC).
David E. Elkins is a working camera operator and first assistant cameraman with more than 25 years of professional experience working on feature films, television series, commercials, music videos, educational films, industrial films and much more. In addition to his production experience, he has taught numerous film production classes and workshops on both the east and west coasts of the United States. He is an active member of the International Cinematographers Guild Local 600 and Society of Camera Operators (SOC).

"A very well done book on cameras and assisting and for any budding cinematographer or assistant."

-Ron Dexter, ASC

"The Camera Assistant's Manual is well written and easy to comprehend--an essential read for all interested in doing a camera job well done."

-Georgia Packard, SOC

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1 Basics of Cinematography

1. Film Formats
2. Videotape Formats
3. Sync Speed
4. Sync and MOS
5. Film Stock
6. Types of Film
7. Reversal Film
8. Film Speed
9. Aspect Ratios
10. F-Stops and T-Stops
11. Exposure Time
12. Exposure Meters
13. Color Temperature and Color Balance
14. The Camera
15. Filters
16. Camera Mounts

Chapter 2 The Camera Department

1. Film Productions
2. SD or HD Video Productions

Chapter 3 Second Assistant Cameraman (2^nd AC)

1. Preproduction
2. Production
3. Postproduction
4. Working in SD/HD Video
5. Review Checklist for Second Assistant Cameraman (2^nd AC or Clapper/Loader)

Chapter 4 First Assistant Cameraman (1^st AC)

1. Preproduction
2. Production
3. Postproduction
4. Working in SD or HD Video
5. Review Checklist for First Assistant Cameraman (1^st AC or Focus Puller)

Chapter 5 Problems and Troubleshooting

1. Camera Will Not Run
2. Camera Does Not Stop When Switched to "Off"
3. Camera Starts and Stops Intermittently
4. Camera Is Noisy
5. Shutter Does Not Spin (No Flicker Through the Viewfinder)
6. Unable to Thread Film into the Gate Area
7. Film Does Not Take Up
8. Camera Door Does Not Close
9. Camera Stops While Filming
10. Film Jams in Camera
11. Camera Does Not Run at Sync Speed
12. Viewing System Is Blacked Out
13. A Fuse Blows When Connecting Electrical Accessories
14. When Shooting a Television Monitor or Computer Screen, a Roll Bar Moves

1. Through the Screen
15. Magazine Is Noisy
16. Film Rips or Has Torn Perforations
17. Film Loses Loop
18. There Are Scratches on the Film
19. Lens Will Not Focus
20. Image Is Fogged When Looking Through Viewfinder
21. Zoom Lens Motor Runs Erratically
22. Zoom Lens Does Not Zoom Throughout Its Entire Range of Focal Lengths
23. Lens Flares Are Seen When Looking Through the Viewfinder
24. Battery Loses Power
25. Image on Video Monitor Is Out of Focus or Is Tilted to the Side
26. Tripod Head Does Not Pan or Tilt
27. Tripod Legs Do Not Slide Up or Down
28. Shooting in Extreme Cold Weather
29. Shooting in Extreme Heat
30. Filming in or Around Salt Water and Camera and Magazine Fall into the Water
31. Shooting Outside Using Tungsten Balanced Film Without an 85 Filter
32. Shooting Inside with Tungsten Light Using Daylight Balanced Film Without an

1. 80A Filter
33. Projected Image Is Shaky or Unsteady
34. Projected Image Is Out of Focus
35. Projected Image Contains Spots or Lines
36. Image Is Not Aligned During the Video Transfer
37. Shooting in Other Countries
38. Troubleshooting Tips

Chapter 6 Film Cameras

1. Aaton A-Minima
2. Aaton Xterà and XTR-Prod
3. Aaton 35-III
4. Arriflex 16BL
5. Arriflex 16S/SB
6. Arriflex 16 SR1, 16 SR2, and 16 SR3
7. Arriflex 416
8. Arriflex Arricam Lite (LT)
9. Arriflex Arricam Studio (ST)
10. Arriflex 235
11. Arriflex 535A and 535B
12. Arriflex 435
13. Arriflex 35BL3 and 35BL4
14. Arriflex 35-3
15. Arriflex 765
16. Bell & Howell Eyemo
17. Moviecam Compact and Moviecam Super America
18. Moviecam SL
19. Panavision Panaflex 16
20. Panavision Panaflex Golden and GII
21. Panavision Panaflex Millennium and Millennium XL
22. Panavision Panaflex Platinum
23. Panavision Panaflex X
24. Panavision Panastar I and Panastar II
25. Panavision Panaflex 65
26. Panavision 65mm High Speed
27. Panavision 65mm Hand-Held
28. Photo-Sonics Actionmaster 500
29. Photo-Sonics 1VN
30. Photo-Sonics 35-4B/4C
31. Photo-Sonics 35-4E/ER
32. Photo-Sonics 35-4ML

Chapter 7 Before, During, and After the Job

1. Union or Nonunion
2. Before the Job
3. During the Job
4. After the Job

Appendix A Film Stock

Appendix B Equipment

1. Cameras
2. Camera Lenses and Accessories
3. Camera Filters
4. Heads and Tripods

Appendix C Camera Department Checklists, Production Forms, and Labels

1. Forms and Checklists

1. Camera Equipment Checklist
2. Filters Checklist
3. Expendables Inventory and Checklist
4. Camera Prep Checklist
5. Equipment Received Log
6. Returned Equipment Log
7. Missing or Damaged Equipment Log
8. Job Information Form
9. Film Camera Report
10. Film Developing Purchase Order
11. Video Camera Report
12. Daily Film Inventory Form #1
13. Daily Film Inventory Form #2
14. Short End Inventory Form
15. Raw Stock Inventory Form
16. Camera Department Log Sheet
17. Film Stock Request Form
18. Videotape Request Form
19. Camera Department Weekly Time Sheet
20. Personal Time Sheet and Invoice
21. Camera Department Deal Memo
22. Box/Equipment Rental Agreement
23. Camera Department Contact List
2. Labels

1. Film Can Developing Label
2. Short End Label
3. Recan Label
4. X-Ray Warning Label

Appendix D Tools and Accessories

1. AC Tools and Accessories
2. Expendables
3. Miscellaneous Items

Appendix E Tables and Formulas

1. Tables

1. Film Speed Comparisons
2. Standard Feet per Minute and Frames per Foot at 24 Frames per Second
3. Intermediate F-Stop Values
4. F-Stop Compensation When Using Filters
5. F-Stop Compensation When Using Filters for Black and White
6. F-Stop Compensation for Changes in Frames per Second
7. F-Stop Compensation for Changes in Shutter Angle
8. Hyperfocal Distances
9. Feet per Second and Feet per Minute
10. Running Time to Film Length and Film Length to Running Time
11. Feet to Meters and Meters to Feet
2. Formulas

1. Depth of Field-Near
2. Depth of Field-Far
3. Hyperfocal Distance
4. Electrical
5. Exposure Time
6. F-Stop
7. Feet per Minute for 16mm
8. Feet per Minute for 35mm 3-Perf Format
9. Feet per Minute for 35mm 4-Perf Format
10. Screen Time
11. Feet and Inches to Meters
12. Meters to Feet and Inches
13. Millimeters to Inches

Appendix F Resources

1. Camera Manufacturers, Rentals, and Sales
2. Camera Support Equipment
3. Expendables and Supplies
4. Film Laboratories
5. Film Raw Stock
6. Filters
7. Miscellaneous Equipment and Supplies
8. Professional Organizations, Guilds, and Unions
9. Miscellaneous Web Sites

Recommended Reading

Glossary

Index