A couple random questions for you ACs out there

Michael Solomon

Michael Solomon

Well-known member
Hey guys,

I had a couple questions for you ACs out there concerning a few random things

1) When using IRND filters or true cut filters do these go the furthest away from the lens or closest to the lens (insofar as order in the mattebox)
2) Regarding pulling focus in mirrors, are there any tricks? How do you measure distance if you're running tape? Do you still "focus away" if the subject moves further away from the mirror or would you in fact focus it closer?
3) When doing tail sticks, do you clap before or after you flip it? I've seen both
4) I might have the chance to use cinetape in the near future, how does one actually aim it or keep it on a subject assuming the subject is moving and won't be in the same relative spot of the frame for a whole take?
5) I'll have my first chance to pull on anamorphic lenses coming up, is there anything special I should know?
6) What pens do you guys use on your FF? I have some nice fine point dry erase pens but I can't find a reliable and easy way of erasing it off the FF disk. I tried using the eraser tips from my fatter dry erase pens but they don't work very will. I've resorted to just getting some spit on a chem wipe and using that, since it works remarkably well. I just feel silly doing it.

Thanks in advance guys
 
Michael Solomon said:
Hey guys,

I had a couple questions for you ACs out there concerning a few random things

1) When using IRND filters or true cut filters do these go the furthest away from the lens or closest to the lens (insofar as order in the mattebox)
2) Regarding pulling focus in mirrors, are there any tricks? How do you measure distance if you're running tape? Do you still "focus away" if the subject moves further away from the mirror or would you in fact focus it closer?
3) When doing tail sticks, do you clap before or after you flip it? I've seen both
4) I might have the chance to use cinetape in the near future, how does one actually aim it or keep it on a subject assuming the subject is moving and won't be in the same relative spot of the frame for a whole take?
5) I'll have my first chance to pull on anamorphic lenses coming up, is there anything special I should know?
6) What pens do you guys use on your FF? I have some nice fine point dry erase pens but I can't find a reliable and easy way of erasing it off the FF disk. I tried using the eraser tips from my fatter dry erase pens but they don't work very will. I've resorted to just getting some spit on a chem wipe and using that, since it works remarkably well. I just feel silly doing it.

Thanks in advance guys
Click to expand...


1) They go first. Very first, at the front of the MB and furthest from the lens. Also, you must make sure the correct side is facing out. Typically the side that has the text printed on it. If none, it's the side that is most mirror like in surface.
2) It's tricky, especially when dollying in or out of one! Makes the mind hurt.
3) haha, I've had this discussion many times. Seems East Coast DP's and West Coast DP's seem to have different ideas about this. I flip then clap, I've seen both ways. In my opinion, doing that makes more sense. Clapping and then flipping is so the editor can read the slate upright... but if using a smart slate for audio, upon clapping the timecode will freeze and then disappear a second later. I slap after the flip so the assistant editor can read the timecode freeze right-side up. In the digital age, it's obvious it's a tail slate anyhow because all clips are broken into separate files. Imo.
4) Cine tape is really helpful for CU's and MCU's. In shots where multiple targets are moving about and etc, it's not always easy to figure it out.
5) Anamorphic lenses, if kept proper, are much like spherical. Nothing different, but you should know that when at very open apertures, and the DoF is really shallow, the focus plane is bent! Meaning 6' sharp in the middle might be 5'5'' sharp on the sides. Do some tests before.
6) I use a thin dry erase. It does smear quite a bit, but I just do a good cleanup and have spare disks just in case i fall behind. I believe the proper pen to use are visa-vis pens or something similar to those. I've never really gotten around to trying different options. If I can give a suggestion... I rarely take marks down that aren't also known in measured distance. Setting a 1, 2, 3, 4 is good and all, but if you don't know how far those distances are, a lens change or having the FF gear slip will make all marks useless. Knowing exactly how far all marks are, allows you to get your marks back quickly when that happens.

^ This happens often when not using real cinema lenses. Photography lens barrel markings are not accurate nor numberous, so 1st AC's must get marks but simply eyeing focus and marking the disk. A lens change or gear slip ruins your day. Gotta re-do those marks! If using cinema lenses, with many witness marks, you can simply reget your marks because you know 1 was 6'6", 2 was 9', 3 was 15' and 4 was 5'. Easy!
 
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^ what he said

Plus, I'll add:

2) It depends on the shot, but I'll run my measure to the mirror, and then from the mirror to te subject and add the distances, somewhat similar to shooting through a window (measure to the window, run inside and measure distance from window to subject). That's also how you'd get sharps for reflections in a window.
3) I've seen both and plenty more. I don't personally think it matters too much, as long as the editor can clearly see that it is a tail slate.
6) I use the Staedtler lumocolor non-permanent markers. I also agree with RPO, I prefer to memorise the distances more than anything. If it's a simple shot with only one or two focal points, I won't mark up the FF at all. Once it gets more complicated, I'll start to mark it up, but will still memorise distances. I also sometimes use a grease pencil on the lens itself. As RPO says, have spare disks in case you fall behind on cleaning; the other thing is quite often you can spin the disk around to get a clean one. I've just added 'Spray n Wipe' to my kit - spray it into a cloth, and in one wipe your disk is clean. I usually do that when I have quite a few marks on the FF, if I've only got one or two, then a good ol' spit shine doesn't take very long at all.
 
Pancro usually cleans everything off the disk very nicely. The staedlter pens are what I used to use and what I saw everyone else using as well.
 
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