Assistant Cameraman

[Tony_Reyes]

I'm a JR in college and I have to do a little research on what an AC does. I'm also probably going to be training to be an AC soon because I'm supposed to be helping a friend shoot something in 16mm.

What does an AC do? their jobs, responsibilities, etc. Also, what does an AC do in a production that isn't shooting with film?

Thank you all very much in advance for any help.

-Tony

[Ramon Boutviseth]

I did some assistanting but for dv, just basically helping the camera get what he needs, batteries, tape, slate, whatever needs to get done to make his/her job easier without having to worry about the little things. This is my experience from small productions, I don't know bout the big films though, make be different.

[Kevin_Zanit]

I don’t have time right now to write a big long response, but I will summarize:

Camera department consists of:
- DP
- Camera operator
- 1st AC
- 2nd AC
- Loader
Some of these jobs will be combined on lower budget projects.

I will only focus on the 1st & 2nd because the rest are fairly obvious.

The 1st's job is:
- Building the camera (putting it together, and moving it)
- Keep the shot in focus by knowing the distance the film plane is relative to the actor (there is a complicated procedure for keeping track of this; I wont go into it)
- Changing lenses
- Setting the T-stop
- Changing filters
- Changing the rods, matte box, doughnuts, etc, etc
- Cleaning lenses (sometimes this will just be delegated to the 2nd)
- Threading the film through the camera body
- Oiling the camera
- And is in charge of making sure the entire camera package is together, and maintained
(there is more to this persons job, but I am summarizing)

The 2nd:
- Generally assisting the 1st AC in anything he needs
- Bringing him lenses
- Taking lenses back to the case
- Bringing filters
- Bringing mags
- Slating the take
- Keeping the camera reports
- Dealing with most paperwork, such as invoices, etc
- Setting up video village
- Pulling cable during a moving take (if necessary)

As I said, these people are critical to the smoothness of a production. Their jobs are very complicated, and require lots of focus and skill.

I am running out, so I can’t get more detailed, but this should help.

Kevin Zanit

[mmm]

On a film production, you would tend to have a 1st and 2nd AC. Depending on production size and style, you would also have a separate operator and DoP. Tends to be 3 camera crew for every camera, sometimes more, rarely less.

The 1st AC is quite important on a set as they are responsible for the camera. They are also referred to as the focus puller, as they "pull" focus during the shoots. This is only a fraction of the role, which also includes care of all camera equipment, checking the gate after a shot, changing lenses etc etc. They basically ensure the camera functions so that the DoP can concentrate on the artist side of lighting and shooting.

A 2nd AC is also known as a clapper/loader, although sometimes their may be someone (or several people!) dedicated just to loading film. They log all takes and shots and record exactly what is recorded onto each reel of film. They also keep the magazines stocked with filmstock and transfer exposed stock into cans ready for telecine. They are also the 1st AC's assistant, so they fetch the lenses, charge batteries etc, etc.

I personally dislike 2nd ACing, because there is a lot of paper work, little artistic input and the possibility of ruining everything whilst handling exposed stock. Luckily I have never had a major slip up....yet.

1st ACing is far better, because it is VERY hands on with the camera, but still technical rather than artistic.

They are unfortunately both roles that are only noticed if something goes wrong! E.g. an out of focus shot or reel exposed to sunlight (Sh!t would hit the proverbial fan).

On DV or video, the job is far easier, as there are basically less things to do! Tapes last 60mins rather than 10mins for a 1000ft mag and are easy to handle. There tends to be less (if any) extra lenses and no responsiblities for checking the gate or ensuring the viewfinder is sealed to light etc. Video productions often make do with 1 assistant.

My experience is in the UK by the way and things differ for country to country, even crew to crew. Over here the camera department will often be responsible for tripods, whereas in the US I believe the grips have that role. Grips often do here too, but it depends on the shoot. All crews have to find a balance of responsibility between departments.

Hope that helps.

[Kevin_Zanit]

Grips never touch the tripod in my expierience, just the dolly.

[mmm]

Kevin beat me to it!

I would go with Kevin on the tripod too. That is what I have normally seen, but have also seen (probably bored) grips handling tripods and static supports. Just beware that the roles aren't always exactly the same in every crew, so take care that nothing is forgotten.

One difference I have discovered is that grips in the US set up "flags" to block the light. In the UK that is very much lighting departments role.

[Tony_Reyes]

WOW, thank you all very much for the input. This will help a lot. In class the other day we were going around naming off various roles in a production and I mentioned the AC. Everyone kind of laughed because it has the word 'assistant' in front of it. But I have been taught that the job is very serious. Thanks again.

[mmm]

Assistant camera is a very important role, you are right. You can also make a very healthy living from being a 1st AC for your whole career. It should not be snubbed for having the word assistant in the title - just like an assistant director.

[Nate Weaver]

Everyone kind of laughed because it has the word 'assistant' in front of it. But I have been taught that the job is very serious. Thanks again.

That's funny, because it shows just how much students know.

Being A.C. is one of the most hardcore, well-paid positions on a crew besides the obvious things like director and D.P.

It can be hard to get into ACing because of the responsibility it entails. The A.C. is the one person on the crew that can absolutely render an entire day's work useless if they're careless. For that reason the position generally garners the respect of all the other crew.

I think for along time my family thought that because I was "assistant cameraman", I was the one who brought the cameraman coffee. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

[Shiloh Arts]

This has a lot of good feedback...Tony, great question !