AC-ing on reality show this weekend, what set protocol should i know?

Dillon Novak

Dillon Novak

Well-known member
I just got a call from a lady asking me if i would be interested in being an AC for one of the camera groups that will be shooting for a reality show this weekend. My key grip that i use on my music video shoots called her and told her i would be great for the job. I don't have any formal experience in this area though. I have not yet done any on set training for being an AC.

I don't think i will be pulling focus or changing lenses as the camera is a sony msw-90. She said something about labeling tapes correctly, which i can do but is there a specific way i should be doing? And I'll also be lugging gear around.

How do i not look like a complete idiot? thanks.
 
#1 Dont do stupid things...
#2 its ok to ask questions...
#3 SHUT UP.....
#4 No eye contact with talent....


When in doubt revert to #2 very quietly, then proceed immediatly to #3.
 
Also, careful consideration when asking those questions goes a long way... (Don't combine #1 and #2!)

"What do I write on a Slate" comes off as amateur.
"What information does your editor/logger/etc.. want on the Slate?" swings it right over to a detail oriented valid question.

Or in short: Asking what is expected/wanted/needed is better than asking what you should do.

- Mikko
 
Working on a camera show with small chipped cameras is basically doing "camera utility" not the traditional ACing but you get credit as an AC anyway. I don't know what show you're doing but in general for any reality show:

1. Don't lose power on the camera in the middle of a shot. Always make sure you're not critically low on battery before the operator presses that roll button.
2. Always get that battery charger on an outlet first thing in the morning and take it home at night if you have to to charge.
3. Don't pre-number your tapes, especially not when there are multiple cameras involved. However, putting the Title of the show and any other non changing info on the label will save you time.
4. Be aware of any timecode requirements, from the editor. Time of Day or Preset - find out if you can before you roll the first tape.
5. It's a thankless, tedious, stupid job working on reality. Try not to ***** too much, and move on as quick as you can ;).
 
Oh, and labelling tapes: there's no set way for video. But follow the format that the other camera ACs are doing it: usually Roll #/Date/Show Title/Time code hour (if needed)
Roll # can be A1 for A Camera, B1 for B Camera, etc. Sometimes reality camera teams are divided into groups coded Blue Team/Red Team/Yellow/Green, etc. so that information should get on... but just follow what's already the precedent if there is one to avoid confusion.
 
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