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Camera Assistant Education


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Hello everyone

 

This is my first time posting....I have been reading the threads for sometime....it is so informative and inspiring.

 

Here's my deal.

Started out as a stills photographer...love film...did not make the digital switch, although it is creeping in a bit. Still love the darkroom and the sound of a real film camera.

 

Decided I wanted to get involved in film and see my images moving. I was looking for a freelance skill to add to my photography and drink slinging and to get more involved in the technical side of filmaking. I ended up taking an editing course which led to an assistant editing gig...I have now been editing for 3 years. I have been working primarily on commercials. This has been a great experience on many levels and I have learned loads. This knowledge can only be helpful in the field.

 

I have been a camera assitant on a few HD shoots and have shot some behind the scenes footage for the clients we currently work with.

 

Now, I am dying to get out of the edit bay and shoot more. I am looking for a place that I can get my hands on the cameras, learn to load film, and hone my skills as a knowledgable AC. I have looked into the Maine workshops and am wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the AC workshop there or if anyone can suggest somewhere here in NY that I can get my hands (along with instruction) on the cameras so I can actually start persuing jobs.

 

I am willing to work for free but feel that a bit of a proper education regarding the cameras and loading can be helpful.

 

Any thoughts????

Would appreciate any response.

 

Thanks

 

Lauren

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Work at a rental house is hard to beat for the technical knowledge education. Other than that, try and find a loader gig and learn from the other ACs you work with.

 

Doug Hart's book has a lot of good procedural-type stuff for loading and working as an AC. I'd recommend that read.

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Work at a rental house is hard to beat for the technical knowledge education. Other than that, try and find a loader gig and learn from the other ACs you work with.

 

Doug Hart's book has a lot of good procedural-type stuff for loading and working as an AC. I'd recommend that read.

 

 

 

thanks! do you think a workshop is worth it or the field is the way to go to for all the additional aspects of AC knowledge I need?

 

Lauren

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thanks! do you think a workshop is worth it or the field is the way to go to for all the additional aspects of AC knowledge I need?

 

Lauren

 

I went to the maine AC workshop but somebody else paid for it. I think you can learn everything you need about ACing by doing it and reading.

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I went to the maine AC workshop but somebody else paid for it. I think you can learn everything you need about ACing by doing it and reading.

 

I agree. I preparred myself for my first AC job by reading about the job and knowing the camera that I will be working with.

We were shooting on Viper and I read the manual before going out on the field... just so I had all the kinks worked out in my head.

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I agree. I preparred myself for my first AC job by reading about the job and knowing the camera that I will be working with.

We were shooting on Viper and I read the manual before going out on the field... just so I had all the kinks worked out in my head.

 

How is the viper to work with, anyway? I've never had the chance to even ahve my hands on one.

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How is the viper to work with, anyway? I've never had the chance to even ahve my hands on one.

I really enjoyed my time working with the Viper. Check out "Day Under Fire" on National Geographic. It airs 10/27/07 at 10p E. All footage shot in HD, most of it is Viper.

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A lot depends on how you learn. Some folks can read books and absorb and retain the information. Some folks need to be hands-on to really learn something. The working at a rental house route is a good one, and a great way to really learn the camera systems. I'd give the Maine workshops high marks as well, although it's not nearly long enough to really learn the job.

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