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1st Camera Assistant knowledge


Guest montaser abou saada

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Guest montaser abou saada

Hello guys ..

i became a focus puller a year ago i started on ARRI d21 and then i'v worked on a movie on ARRI 535 .. witch was easy coz i loaded the ARRI 535 a lot .. recently i assisted on 435 and the Red One and it went cool ..

the thing is i'v never worked on 16 mm or Arricam or Arri 3 .. i was reading a book by jon fauer about Arri sr3 and it seems so complected in terms of changing to s 16 and i never did it ( the conversion to S35 or S16 ) ..

also a lot about IVS coz for all the jobs that i did it was already attached and they sat it up in the rental house

there is too many technical stuff that i have to know and most of the jobs am doing now is on RED ONE .. and recently i got an offer to work with some high level agency witch provides crew around the area .. and they have all the equipments and cameras like ARRI SR3, ARRI 435, ARRICAM LT AND ST, ARRI 3 .. and am really puzzled .. am really good in pulling focus the problem is with all that technical stuff .. any ideas ? is that all what written in fauer's book is a focus puller duties ?

 

 

best regards

 

Montey

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It takes years to become a good First Assistant Cameraman. It's not just about the focus pulling. It also involves all of the "technical stuff" - like an understanding of cinematography inside and out, knowledge of the equipment and problem solving. It also requires good managerial skills since you are running the camera department. Your question is quite broad. It sounds to me that you have much studying to do as well as gaining experience by doing and making all of the mistakes. Best of luck to you.

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  • 7 months later...

As a 1st AC you should know about the camera you are working with, such as how to troubleshoot and what to do when things go wrong. Also you should know how to calculate shutter changes and ND filter compensations should a DP look to you for proper settings. Like if you are at a T8 and he wants to add a ND6 and do a 200 degree shutter whats the stop? Some guys can give you DOF and COC. In most digital shows you will have a D.I.T or D.C.S who might be able to lend a hand should a technical question come up. I 1st a lot but work on union shows as a 2nd (working my up the food chain), and if i come into contact with a new system i will always go the rental house a day early and go through the menus and settings and just get a feel for it so when im prepping with the boys i have a little bit of know how. Like when we did a 3D show we came 2 days early just to set up and get a feel for the rig. Dont try to learn 5 systems at once, as time progresses you will soon see that knowing 1 camera really well, can help you along the way.

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  • 9 months later...

Check out my book, "The Camera Assistant's Manual, Fifth Edition" published by Focal Press.

 

David E. Elkins, SOC

Camera Operator

Connecticut

 

i second this, easily the best book i read when i was getting my start in the industry and the same book i recommend to up and coming assistants

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  • 7 months later...
  • 6 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Hi

Daniel Bailey

 

May i know what's: COC & D.C.S ?

 

Best Regards

SImon Ng 1st A/C

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_of_confusion

 

In simple terms its where a cone of light converges onto the sensor at a single point where it resolves at an acceptable focus sharpness. Each sensor size has a different circle of confusion which then has an effect on the depth of field (the near and far distance calculations change depending on the COC).

 

It is handy for planning some shots in pre-production. It helps you work out the acceptable distance you can push that T-Stop before your shot goes out of focus. Steadicam shots for example where the dynamic movement of the person can change a lot.

 

 

I don't know what a DCS is though but I presume from the context it is some type of DIT or technical assistant.

Edited by Oliver Hadlow Martin
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