Breaking down camera on set

Noah

Noah

Well-known member
About to go into ACing a 5 day shoot with a hvx and mini35 rig. The director has rented out an office space for a month. We will be shooting almost entirely there. My question is, at the end of the day do I break down the entire rig and then reassemble it the next morning? Or is it okay to leave the rig assembled and just throw a bag over it with a sign saying "Do not touch" or something.
 
Once I get my cam tweaked with the M2 and rails and all that good stuff I never break it down if I'm shooting consecutive days. It eats up a lot of time at the start and end of the day to always break down that much stuff, plus I hate to put the wear and tear on the gear by constantly assembling and dis-assembling it.
 
I'd break it down. We always dismantle our film camera rigs, so we're pretty used to take the time. Besides I wouldn't trust the M2 would stay fine-tuned for so long...
 
Ops, sorry there... Never worked with one of those... (Owen's post got me confused... hehe) But I'd dismantle it anyway. Just like you never transport a film camera with a lens on, I'd worry about carring around a mounted rig like that... As an AC, you have to ensure propper care to the camera gear, even if it means spending time of your day in assembly/disassembly...
 
Noah said:
About to go into ACing a 5 day shoot with a hvx and mini35 rig. The director has rented out an office space for a month. We will be shooting almost entirely there. My question is, at the end of the day do I break down the entire rig and then reassemble it the next morning? Or is it okay to leave the rig assembled and just throw a bag over it with a sign saying "Do not touch" or something.
Click to expand...

If its the director's camera, then you can MAYBE leave it there, assuming he accepts liability and responsibility for the equipment. I'd verify, possibly in writing, the security precautions and the liability for loss by theft, just to cover your own bootay.

If it was MY camera... I won't even leave a lens cap laying around when I'm not there personally to watch after it. When I break for lunch, a PA or security worker is there to _personally_ sit with my camera and equipment... or else I carry it with me or lock it up somewhere.

Granted, this is an office set... but still. There are many more people with access than you realize... from janitors, to building workers, etc.
 
There are several things you can leave behind on a walk-a-way, but in my experience, I've never seen a camera left behind by any one. With one exception - animation - but that was in a locked studio with a gaurd. There are just too many factors and idiots in the world.

A don't touch sign means "touch" to most of the world.

Plus, you will be looked down upon by other Pros in the field. Rep is king.
 
Well firstly, its a student shoot and not to be pretentious, but I'd saya I'm the most experienced, so my rep is fine until the camera gets stolen. Thus, I'll take everyones suggestions and pack up the camera and take it with to make sure that never happens. Thanks guys.
 
Yeah, leavin' it there is definitely asking for trouble. Leaving the heads to cool during the night is one thing, say you got an intricate set-up you wanna use the next morning, but even that's questionable based on how secure your location is. Ultimately no location is as secure as the camera in the hardcase, under your bed, with a gun close to hand. But even if you were shooting on a professional sound stage you wouldn't leave the camera itself out. That would be...bad.
 
The only time I've ever seen the camera gear remain at a set during a walkaway was with overnight set security present. Otherwise it's always been broken down, loaded back into cases and locked up in someone's possesion. I think in the end everyone will appreciate and understand the need for the camera's security.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top