Book description
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.
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
-
1. Basics of Cinematography
- Film Formats
- Videotape Formats
- Sync Speed
- Sync and MOS
- Film Stock
- Types of Film
- Film Speed
- Aspect Ratios
- F-Stops and T-Stops
- Exposure Time
- Exposure Meters
- Color Temperature and Color Balance
- The Camera
- Filters
- Camera Mounts
- 2. The Camera Department
-
3. Second Assistant Cameraman (2nd AC)
- Preproduction
-
Production
- Start-of-the-Day Procedures
- Setting Up the Camera
- Film Stock Manufacturers
- Film Stock Packaging Sizes
- Camera Reports
- Recording Shot Information
- Magazines
- Loading Magazines
- Unloading Magazines
- Using a Changing Bag or Changing Tent
- Marking Actors
- Slates
- Slating Procedures
- Changing Lenses, Filters, and Magazines
- Using a Video Tap and Monitor
- Preparing Exposed Film for Delivery to the Lab
- Shipping Film (Exposed and Unexposed)
- Film, X-Rays, and Carrying Film on Planes
- Ordering Additional Film Stock
- Storage and Care of Motion Picture Film
- Film Inventory and Record of Film Shot
- Completing Film Inventory Forms
- Distribution of Reports
- Record Keeping and Filing of Paperwork
- Performing the Duties of First Assistant Cameraman
- Packing Equipment
- Tools and Accessories
- 2nd AC/Loader Tips
- Resources
- Postproduction
- Working in SD/HD Video
- Review Checklist for Second Assistant Cameraman (2nd AC or Clapper/Loader)
-
4. First Assistant Cameraman (1st AC)
- Preproduction
-
Production
- Start-of-the-Day Procedures
- Loading and Unloading Film in the Camera
- Keeping the Camera Clean
- Oiling and Lubricating the Camera
- Setting the Viewfinder Eyepiece
- Lenses
- Checking for Lens Flares
- Depth of Field
- F-Stops and T-Stops
- Changing Lenses, Filters, and Accessories
- Focus Measurements and Following Focus
- Focusing Tips
- Zoom Lens Moves
- Footage Readings
- Checking the Gate
- Moving the Camera
- Performing the Duties of Second Assistant Cameraman
- Packing Equipment
- Tools and Accessories
- Using Computers
- 1st AC/Focus Puller Tips
- Resources
- Postproduction
- Working in SD or HD Video
- Review Checklist for First Assistant Cameraman (1st AC or Focus Puller)
-
5. Problems and Troubleshooting
- Camera Will Not Run
- Camera Does Not Stop When Switched to “Off”
- Camera Starts and Stops Intermittently
- Camera Is Noisy
- Shutter Does Not Spin (No Flicker Seen Through the Viewfinder)
- Unable to Thread Film into the Gate Area
- Film Does Not Take Up
- Camera Door Does Not Close
- Camera Stops While Filming
- Film Jams in Camera
- Camera Does Not Run at Sync Speed
- Viewing System Is Blacked Out
- A Fuse Blows When Connecting Electrical Accessories
- When Shooting a Television Monitor or Computer Screen, a Roll Bar Moves Through the Screen
- Magazine Is Noisy
- Film Rips or Has Torn Perforations
- Film Loses Loop
- There Are Scratches on the Film
- Lens Will Not Focus
- Image Is Fogged When Looking Through Viewfinder
- Zoom Lens Motor Runs Erratically
- Zoom Lens Does Not Zoom Throughout Its Entire Range of Focal Lengths
- Lens Flares Are Seen When Looking Through the Viewfinder
- Battery Loses Power
- Image on Video Monitor Is Out of Focus or Is Tilted to the Side
- Tripod Head Does Not Pan or Tilt
- Tripod Legs Do Not Slide Up or Down
- Shooting in Extreme Cold Weather
- Shooting in Extreme Heat
- Filming in or Around Salt Water and Camera and Magazine Fall into the Water
- Shooting Outside Using Tungsten-Balanced Film Without an 85 Filter
- Shooting Inside with Tungsten Light Using Daylight-Balanced Film Without an 80A Filter
- Projected Image Is Shaky or Unsteady
- Projected Image Is Out of Focus
- Projected Image Contains Spots or Lines
- Image Is Not Aligned During the Video Transfer
- Shooting in Other Countries
- Troubleshooting Tips
-
6. Film Cameras
- Aaton A-Minima
- Aaton Xterà and XTR-Prod
- Aaton 35-III
- Arriflex 16BL
- Arriflex 16S/SB
- Arriflex 16 SR1, 16 SR2, and 16 SR3
- Arriflex 416
- Arriflex Arricam Lite (LT)
- Arriflex Arricam Studio (ST)
- Arriflex 235
- Arriflex 535A and 535B
- Arriflex 435
- Arriflex 35BL3 and 35BL4
- Arriflex 35-3
- Arriflex 765
- Bell & Howell Eyemo
- Moviecam Compact and Moviecam Super America
- Moviecam SL
- Panavision Panaflex 16
- Panavision Panaflex Golden and GII
- Panavision Panaflex Millennium and Millennium XL
- Panavision Panaflex Platinum
- Panavision Panaflex X
- Panavision Panastar I and Panastar II
- Panavision Panaflex 65
- Panavision 65 mm High Speed
- Panavision 65 mm Hand-Held
- Photo-Sonics Actionmaster 500
- Photo-Sonics 1VN
- Photo-Sonics 35-4B/4C
- Photo-Sonics 35-4E/ER
- Photo-Sonics 35-4ML
- 7. Before, During, and After the Job
- Appendix A: Film Stock
-
Appendix B: Equipment
- Cameras
-
Camera Lenses and Accessories
- Lenses and Lens Accessories
- Camera Accessories
-
Specialized Camera Accessories
- Arriflex Remote Control Unit (RCU)
- Arriflex External Display (EXD-1)
- Arriflex Wireless Remote Control (WRC-2)
- Arriflex Iris Control Unit (ICU)
- Arriflex Lens Control System (LCS)
- Arriflex Wireless Lens Control System
- Arriflex Laptop Camera Controller (LCC)
- Arriflex Ramp Preview Controller (RPC)
- Panavision Focus, T-Stop, Zoom, Speed-Aperture Controller —FTZSAC
- Panavision Remote Digital Control (RDC)
- Camera Filters
- Heads and Tripods
- Miscellaneous Heads, Camera Mounts, and Mounting Platforms
-
Appendix C: Camera Department Checklists, Production Forms, and Labels
-
Forms and Checklists
- Film Camera Equipment Checklist
- Filters Checklist
- Expendables Inventory and Checklist
- Film Camera Prep Checklist
- Equipment Received Log
- Returned Equipment Log
- Missing or Damaged Equipment Log
- Job Information
- Film Camera Report
- Camera Department Film Developing Purchase Order
- Video Camera Report
- Daily Film Inventory Form #1
- Daily Film Inventory Form #2
- Short End Inventory Form
- Raw Stock Inventory Form
- Camera Department Log Sheet
- Film Stock Request Form
- Video Tape Request Form
- Camera Department Weekly Time Sheet
- Personal Time Sheet and Invoice
- Labels
-
Forms and Checklists
- Appendix D: Tools and Accessories
-
Appendix E: Tables and Formulas
-
Tables
- Film Speed Comparisons
- Standard Feet per Minute and Frames per Foot at 24 Frames per Second
- Intermediate F-Stop Values
- F-Stop Compensation When Using Filters
- F-Stop Compensation When Using Filters for Black-and-White Film
- F-Stop Compensation for Changes in Frames per Second
- F-Stop Compensation for Changes in Shutter Angle
- Hyperfocal Distances
- Feet per Second and Feet per Minute
- Running Time to Film Length and Film Length to Running Time
- Feet to Meters and Meters to Feet
- Formulas
-
Tables
- Appendix F: Resources
- Recommended Reading
- Glossary
- Index
Product information
- Title: The Camera Assistant's Manual, 5th Edition
- Author(s):
- Release date: July 2013
- Publisher(s): Focal Press
- ISBN: 9781136048654
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