A few basic distro questions

[Don Davis]

Hi gang,

 

I need some basic distro information for a shoot next week. The shoot is on a sound stage that is wired for studio power needs (we're shooting against a greenscreen). I know that I need to run cam-lock out of the house power to a distro box, but I'm unclear about some of the protocol. Which end of the cam-lock gets attached first: the power end, or the distro box? What order are the cables attatched in: ground (green), then neutral (white), then what? Anything I should know about running cable in a studio setting?

 

It's not a complicated shoot lighting-wise, but I just want to make sure I don't look like a complete idiot out there. I'd be grateful for any advice from you veterans...

 

Best,

 

Don Davis

Novice DP

Los Angeles, CA

[Kevin Zanit]

It is run pretty much the same as it would be if coming from a generator.

 

The only exception would be if it was going through dimmer racks.

 

Honestly, if you don't know the order to plugging CAM in (or any power for that matter), then you should get help crew wise who know it. It is dangerous.

 

The order plugging IN is: Green (ground), White (neutral, actually a return), than the hot legs in any order, red, black, blue.

 

You reverse the order to unplug (so the ground is last out).

 

Kevin Zanit