blain murphey Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 I was wondering if any one could tell me everything i need to know about being a 1st and 2nd AC. Be it on Digital and Film Cameras. and also tips and tricks they have found worked for them in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Lavalley Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 As a start, read "The Camera Assistant" by Douglas C. Hart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Achterberg Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 thats a good book. but get out there and start doing free jobs as an AC ASAP. readings great, learning by doing is best, do both if you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Lavalley Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Yeah, definitely get out there and do it! This book will give you some good pointers to show up on set with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Achterberg Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 one other thing you can do to practice 1st Assistant work is, to practice pulling focus with a SLR still camera on a longer lens. Practice guessing distances and working with lenses. Go to a Film lab and get camera reports, or email me and I can send you some templates. Become familiar with them and learn to make them up quickly. Get a Fat Maxx tape measure from a hardware store, and also a Cloth Tape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blain murphey Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 one other thing you can do to practice 1st Assistant work is, to practice pulling focus with a SLR still camera on a longer lens. Practice guessing distances and working with lenses. Go to a Film lab and get camera reports, or email me and I can send you some templates. Become familiar with them and learn to make them up quickly. Get a Fat Maxx tape measure from a hardware store, and also a Cloth Tape. Thanks every one for the advise. When it comes to Camera Reports what is the difference between film and digital. You still use the same reports right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Nielsen Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Another great book which never gets mentioned to much these days, but one I consider the AC bible, is "The Professional Cameramans Handbook" by Carlson and Carlson. While on my very first job as a 2nd AC, I was given this book, and boy did it prepare me for the future of the job. Again, I highly recommend this one. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Bowerbank Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 David Elkins' book is a fantastic read as well. Pretty much everything you need to know, besides your own personal touches & preferences, are in that book. You can also go to Elkins' website and download any one of the forms you need. Camera Reports, weekly reports, expendables checklist, etc.: http://www.cameraassistantmanual.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Achterberg Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Thanks every one for the advise. When it comes to Camera Reports what is the difference between film and digital. You still use the same reports right? I've got some camera reports that are specific to video formats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blain murphey Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 I've got some camera reports that are specific to video formats. If possible could i get a copy of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bianca Bahena Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 the website up top www.cameraassistantmanual.com has both film and video camera reports in the forms section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Steven Beverly Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 VERY useful link! Thanks for sharing that one! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Achterberg Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 Bianca beat me to it. However, I had added more specific info to those camera reports. Some of those formats will never be used (VHS-C/VHS Hi8) or if they are used its for a special reason. I added a few formats that are in common use currently such as P2 Cards/Hard Disk and Specific to the DVCPRO Formats. DVCPRO 50 DVCPRO HD and something I find very very important is the frame rate shot at. 23.98/24P 2:3/24PA 2:3:3:2/29.97/30P/59.94/60P etc so that its known how to process. when shooting video formats its not uncommon to have different video standards from project to project. Not all are 60i or 24P etc. So Adding that information will help the editor make sure that he is ingesting the footage correctly or save him time if he needs to do a conversion. It just good overall info to have on there, I'd say its a sin that its not already on there Best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Achterberg Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 For example. This is one I modified in photoshop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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