Camera operator clothing?

Rick Burnett

Rick Burnett

Section Moderator
While shooting this last weekend on a very hot, humid, damp, mosquito filled day, I wondered what other people wore when filming. I made a bad choice and wore shorts.

I often get down on a knee, or the ground, or am leaning up against a number of things. Most of the locations I have shot in are dirty one way or another. So I wondered...

Do people often wear pants, with or without a lot of pockets?
Are their pants that have waterproof or extra protection in the knees?
What kind of shoes/boots do people wear?
Do people wear any sort of back protection for lower back?

I figured this might be interesting for some people, me included.
 
Depends on the shoot Rick.
Sometimes I wear combat fatigues with knee pads and Converse tactical boots. Sometimes shorts and a vest.
I have a very long shoot at a hospital next week where I will bring two pairs of dark scrubs, and two pair of socks.
The dark clothing will help kill reflections, and having an extra set of clothing and socks will allow me to change if I get too wet while shooting during a 12 hour day.
 
For me, and most of the people I shoot with, it's jeans. Occasionally, on a hot day, some of the grips seem to break out shorts, but jeans are the usual outfit. They're sturdy enough to hold up to kneeling on cement, look decent (even when stained), and are cheap enough to replace when something tears or stains them too badly. I'm up here in Buffalo though, where the weather is pretty different than in Raleigh, so maybe someone else has some better thoughts there.

I'm real fussy about my shoes. Hauling around a 40 pound (on a good day) Steadicam isn't exactly easy on your feet, but neither is standing for 12 hours doing grip or camera work. I've always really liked New Balance sneakers. I keep one pair just for work, and replace them every 6 months or so. That way, they're always cool, dry, and not too beaten up (or muddy, or dirty, or stained, etc...). Part of the reason I like them is because they've got wide sizes - my feet just happen to be extra wide - but they're also comfortable and supportive, even for a big guy like me with flat feet.

I've seen a grip or two occasionally bust out a back support, but I haven't seen a camera operator do that yet. Maybe for some of the heavier film rigs, it might make sense.
 
Hiking gear works best for me; whatever the brand. Breathable light fabric, lots of pockets, dries quickly if it gets wet - that kind of stuff.
I usually run-and-gun, and live in a hot climate. I always wear trousers, but short sleeved shirt - usually earthy colors (but I carry a day-glo vest in my pack). Always hiking boots.
 
For me it's jeans, work boots wool socks and a wool workshirt.

Wool really is the best material out there for adverse conditions. It breathes and dries fast, I vary the weight depending on the weather but some sort of dark Plaid kills reflections and hides stains.

Ditto about jeans being tough , I know some people like cargo pants but I hate things bouncing at my knees.

I think boots with a good insole really help my back and keep my feet dry if things get soggy.

I also like having a ammo / hunting vest with lots of pockets. Keeps you movement free but still some extra warmth and places to stash things.
 
simonpwood said:
Hiking gear works best for me; whatever the brand.
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+1. I'm all about the hiking clothes. I don't wear hiking boots when shooting (usually some water proof New Balance shoes), but I definitely sport the light weight shorts and pants. If you're having to get down on your knees a lot, I would suggest getting some good knee pads from the Home Depot.
 
Rick Burnett said:
I often get down on a knee, or the ground, or am leaning up against a number of things. Most of the locations I have shot in are dirty one way or another. So I wondered...
Click to expand...

Rick,

You might consider knee pads designed for dancers. These are made to go under your pants, & may save you some ridicule from the G&E depts.

I don't have any fast rules for what I wear, & decide based on location, & client. Like you I expect to get dirty if I'm on location, & just accept it, but in studio a sound/furniture blanket should be readily available.

Except I don't like anyone wearing white, or bright colors, if they're close to the talent, as these can inadvertently add fill, or a color cast. If it's an issue we throw scrap duvateen over them like a cape, which usually keeps them from repeating that mistake in the future.

When I DP I don't like showing up in shorts, but if it's going to be hot I will wear lightweight convertible pants. As the day progresses I'll unzip the knees for a bit for ventilation, or convert them to shorts. I also prefer button-down shirts for hot weather as they provide more ventilation than T-shirts, & look more business.

On the same note I usually only wear water-proof footwear when I'm likely to get wet, as they're generally hotter than normal footwear.

Regards,
Bern
 
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Decorators trousers - made from some horrible polycotton - totally indestructable, with kneepad pocket, dark blue. three pairs so I can change if I get soaked

Spare teeshirt to change at lunch if im sweating

Actually I have proper knee pads the $50 gel kind - but just lay them in front of the camera when operating a low shot dont wear them

Fleece also dark blue with zip pocket for my van keys!

Shoes I have both Cat workboots (steel toe), hiking trainers and too small converse

The converse give the best ninja balance for handheld

(Also a box with hardhat, yellow trousers, rubber boots with steel toes and yellow tabbard - legal requirement on construction sites in the uk)

I think if you are DOP and may need to interact with client you need to dress up as an a-hole..

gucci loafers, iphone, this weeks boyband haircut stupid shades

naming no names (actually I dont know who he was but it was the kind of place the shoot vogue covers) I once met a character not with a manbag but a basket.. Ill say that again a basket, floppy fringe over his eyes - everthing said - I dont touch the kit - my people do

Spare clothes required for the INTSs after lunch..
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S
 
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I like the Bugs Away / Bug Shield (Buzz-Off) stuff from Ex Officio and Orvis. The Adventure hat (or Columbia's version of same) are essentials for outside work if you value your skin. The Adventure hat is treated with Bugs Away too, which is effective for a heavy season of shooting.
 
After doing some shoots in both summer sun and winter cold, I'd say that during summer, I'd wear very light hiking pants, comfortable close-toed shoes with an open weave(running shoes), running socks(for the padding and wicking design), a light colored and light knit shirt (thin cotton jersey type) and some kind of hat so you don't put too much sunscreen on your face(nothing worse than getting it in your eyes during a critical shoot).

During the winter, wear layers. Bottom layer should be wicking type clothes to keep your skin dry because if you get sweaty, you'll only get colder! Wear semi-open weave shoes to allow the moisture to wick out. Wearing boots will only cause the moisture to stay in and your feet will freeze! I think this is worse than anything else.

But as people have said above, bring changes of clothes and shoes. Suffering through a hot or cold day only makes the day longer as you have to reshoot due to be distracted.
 
I've contemplated a hat, but haven't gone that route yet. I tan easy, so I am not worried about the sun as much, but what I want is the benefit of the hat blocking the sun. I HATE people following me around with a flag, they are always getting in my way or in my shot :) So I figured a hat as a sun blocker would be perfect.
 
if you can, get one with a softer band that goes across the forehead. it's just nicer and it will act like a sweatband.
 
As a DP I usually wear what the GIs had in WWII European theater.
Rigger pants (like cargo pants) t-shirt, a fatigue jacket and rough out field boots (ankle high, non squeaking grip sole).

As a director, a safari shooting jacket, a white silk scarf and jodhpurs.

Shoot in style
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Frank
 
Man, I'm in Texas... shorts, shorts, shorts. A good hat. I tie bandanas to all kinds of case handles. Pump-spray waterproof sunscreen, the kind that's like a plastic coating (I'm a freakin' redheaded albino).

Outdoors, I always take my dark cloth from the still - view camera days. White outside/black inside, drape it over the camera and my head often in the blazing sun.

I shot 8 hours of a music video in reef flip flops the other day, didn't even think to put my comfy diesel sneaks on. Yes, the web between my toes was killing me that night... but I was nice & cool.
 
Down here in Atlanta we have now gone 21 days in a row above 90. I usually wear jeans, coolmax pull over shirt and Columbia water proof hiking shoes. Wore shorts last week due to it being so hot and that was a really big mistake with lots of scrapes and cuts. Started wearning a wide brim "Tilley" hat last year to cut down on sun damage. Seems to work well. http://www.tilley.com/LTM8-Mesh-AIRFLO-Nylamtium.aspx
 
lol.. I usually look like I am going fishing!

Hat for Sun: Check.
Long sleeve shirt that rolls up sleeves easily: check.
El cheapo shades that I don't mind losing on set: check (Take the damn things off every time I peek into the vf and 'poof' gone!)
Long pants that can become short pants with zip or whatever: check
Most comfortable shoes I can afford: check
Silly fishing waist coat or jacket with lots of pockets for stationary and sweeties and stuff: check
Stop shaving during shoots: check
Waterproof pillow like thingie for knees: check

Look like a Dork: check
 
What kind of pillow do you use and is it good at being puncture resistant? Sometimes I am in the woods and them sticks be pointy! (Or rocks, or pine cones, or something unidentifiable, or alien spores, or what have you) :)
 
I wear a lot of "tactical"-type of clothing because the knees are reinforced and there are lots of pockets.

5.11
Royal Robins
Vertx
 
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