Table Of Content

The Camera Assistant’s Manual FIFTH EDITION This page intentionally left blank The Camera Assistant’s Manual FIFTH EDITION David E. Elkins, S.O.C. AMSTERDAM • BOSTON • HEIDELBERG • LONDON NEW YORK • OXFORD PARIS • SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO • SINGAPORE • SYDNEY • TOKYO Focal Press is an imprint of Elsevier Focal Press is an imprint of Elsevier 30 Corporate Drive, Suite 400, Burlington, MA 01803, USA Linacre House, Jordan Hill, Oxford OX2 8DP, UK © 2009 David E. Elkins. Published by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. Previous editions © 2005 by David E. Elkins, © 2000, 1996, 1991 by Focal Press. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier’s Science & Technology Rights Department in Oxford, UK: phone: ((cid:2) 44) 1865 843830, fax: ( (cid:2) 44) 1865 853333, E-mail: [email protected]. You may also complete your request online via the Elsevier homepage (http://www.elsevier.com), by selecting “Support & Contact” then “Copyright and Permission” and then “Obtaining Permissions.” Recognizing the importance of preserving what has been written, Elsevier prints its books on acid-free paper whenever possible. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Elkins, David E. The camera assistant’s manual / by David E. Elkins.—5th ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-240-81057-7 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Cinematography—Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Camera operators—Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Title. TR850.E37 2009 778.5(cid:3)3—dc22 2008044560 British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN: 978-0-240-81057-7 For information on all Focal Press publications visit our website at www.books.elsevier.com 09 10 11 12 13 5 4 3 2 1 Printed in the United States of America To my wife Jan. Your love and support gets me through each day. This page intentionally left blank Contents Preface xvii Acknowledgments xxi Introduction xxv 1 Basics of Cinematography 1 Film Formats 1 Videotape Formats 3 Sync Speed 4 Sync and MOS 4 Film Stock 4 Emulsion 4 Base 5 Anti-halation Backing 6 Types of Film 6 Negative Film 6 Reversal Film 6 Single Perf or Double Perf 6 Film Speed 7 Aspect Ratios 8 F-Stops and T-Stops 12 Exposure Time 13 Exposure Meters 14 Color Temperature and Color Balance 16 The Camera 17 Gate 18 Intermittent Movement 18 Pull Down Claw 19 Registration Pin 19 Aperture Plate 20 Pressure Plate 20 Shutter 20 Shutter Angle 20 Inching Knob 21 vii viii CONTENTS Viewing System 22 Diopter Adjustment 22 Lens 23 Primes and Zooms 24 Magazine 25 Motor 25 Batteries 26 Additional Camera Components 26 Filters 27 Conversion Filters 28 85 Filter 28 80A Filter 29 Neutral Density Filters 29 Polarizing Filters 29 Combination Filters 30 Optical Flat 30 Diffusion Filters 31 Fog and Double Fog Filters 32 Low-Contrast Filters 32 Soft-Contrast Filters 32 Ultra-Contrast Filters 33 Coral Filters 33 Enhancing Filters 33 Graduated Filters 33 Diopters 33 Filter Manufacturers 34 Camera Mounts 34 Tripods and Spreader 34 High Hat/Low Hat 36 Tripod Heads 36 Fluid Head 37 Gear Head 37 Steadicam 38 D olly 39 2 The Camera Department 43 Film Productions 43 Director of Photography 44 Camera Operator 46 First Assistant Cameraman (1st AC or Focus Puller) 48 Second Assistant Cameraman (2nd AC or Clapper/Loader) 50 Loader 52 SD or HD Video Productions 52 Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) 53 CONTENTS ix Video Controller 54 Camera Utility 54 Digital Utility 55 3 Second Assistant Cameraman (2nd AC) 56 Preproduction 56 Working with the Laboratory 57 Obtaining Laboratory Supplies 58 Choosing and Ordering Expendables 59 Preparation of Camera Equipment 60 Preparation of Camera Truck 60 Preparation of Darkroom 62 Production 64 Start-of-the-Day Procedures 64 Setting Up the Camera 64 Film Stock Manufacturers 65 Film Stock Packaging Sizes 66 Camera Reports 67 Recording Shot Information 81 Magazines 82 Loading Magazines 85 Unloading Magazines 94 Using a Changing Bag or Changing Tent 97 Marking Actors 100 Slates 104 Slating Procedures 107 Changing Lenses, Filters, and Magazines 111 Using a Video Tap and Monitor 112 Preparing Exposed Film for Delivery to the Lab 113 Shipping Film (Exposed and Unexposed) 117 Film, X-Rays, and Carrying Film on Planes 117 Ordering Additional Film Stock 118 Storage and Care of Motion Picture Film 119 Film Inventory and Record of Film Shot 120 Completing Film Inventory Forms 123 Distribution of Reports 141 Record Keeping and Filing of Paperwork 142 Performing the Duties of First Assistant Cameraman 144 Packing Equipment 144 Tools and Accessories 145 2nd AC/Loader Tips 146 Resources 151 Postproduction 152 Wrapping Equipment 152