First Time AC on Feature

N

Nonsense

Active member
Hello dearest DVXuser community. Long time reader, first time poster.

I do lighting and effects work (non-post). This pays the bills, though I aspire to soley be a shooter. I've been doing some shooting, nothing big, and I landed a 1st AC job which is scheduled to begin in a few weeks. Yes, its being shot with the HVX. And yes I have some experience with the camera. Though am not totally comfortable with it. I can navigate its functions (aspect ration, resolution, frame rate...) and I've used the P2 store to transfer the files over to my computer. Were using the mini-35 adapter and a set of primes. I've never pulled focus (or used a remote controlled focus puller at that) and I've never used the P2 cards on a feature set environment. Supposedly we are going to be shooting 5 pages a day (sounds crazy, right?). I'm the only AC, so I'm assuming it'll be my responsibility to pull focus and transfer over contents of P2 cards to a laptop or external hardrive, and set up sticks.

If anybody can comment on (a) what else my respnsibility might be and (b) obvious things I should familiarize myself with before the shoot, that would be extremely appreciated. I'm trying to get prepped now so as to avoid disaster when the shoot begins.

Thanks.
 
You may want to run to Borders and pick up "The Camera Assistant's Manual".

http://www.amazon.com/Camera-Assistants-Manual-Fourth/dp/0240805585/sr=8-4/qid=1169591981/ref=sr_1_4/105-6324708-2353203?ie=UTF8&s=books

Essentially, your job is to both nail focus marks, as well as ensure the camera's safety at all times (the DP should be able to walk away from camera to adjust lighting whenever he needs). If you're in charge of loading P2 cards, this makes your job more difficult, since you should really live with the camera at all times. If you're the one an only AC, you should sit down with the DP and detail exactly what is expected of you during the shoot beforehand.
 
THanks David. I'm checking out the equipment pretty soon. At the point I'll know exactly what I don't know, and be able to more forward my usefully. I dont know things like attaching the 35mm adapter and putting the lenses on the adapter. We're using Ziess lenses. Do you know if these lenses give you apeture control? Or do they have to be open all the way always?
 
Also, when measuring distances to determine where focus should be, I know I should be measuring from the film plane, but I'm not sure where the plane is. Right behind the lense?

THanks again.
 
Hey, no worries. It's always a fun experience being an AC on your first feature! I had my share of experience! lol

I was a 2nd AC on my first feature shoot and a logger/clapper/"tape boy" on another. The 1st was shot on the Sony Z1 with PS Technik Mini35 and Zeiss primes the other with a Varicam, PS Technik Pro35 and Zeiss primes.

Other than familiarising yourself with the camera setup, also remember the small things like the AC manual for 35mm DOF chart, measuring tape, gaffer tape for blocking positions, making focus marks, pens and markers, maglite, camera report sheets etc.

Have a sit down talk with your DP to know what's required and what's not. For both my shoots, I had to jot down the aperture settings, lens focal length and even lighting diagrams. So be prepared, the earlier the better!

Regarding the setup of the Mini35 onto the camera, I'm sure the DP will guide you on that one. Just do know that it will require setting up of res chart/focus chart and a production monitor.

Since you said your DP is using Zeiss primes, most probably he's referring to cinema lenses. You gotta try how to mount the lenses on the Mini35 and always (!) know where you place your lens case and keep them safe! Most probably the lenses are of the standard 24, 25, 35, 50 and 85 focal lengths.

The lenses definitely have controllable apertures. Whether they should be set at wide apertures or not totally depends on your DP. Pay attention to that and make sure your lenses are set accordingly. As you know, it affects your focus pulls.

You are right on about measuring focus from the film plane and as the case of the PS Technik, you need not worry because there is small hook on the side of the adapter to indicate where the plane is. Simply hook your measuring tape and off you go!

If your DP is using a mattebox, familiarise yourself with it since you're gonna be switching lenses often and the mattebox is always in the way. With a mattebox, most probably your DP would be using filters as well. Find out which filters are included in the inventory and just like your lenses, keep them safe! Clean them before and after use too!

Video Assist! Check with your DP how he intends to set up the video assist for himself and the director. Most probably it's a production monitor on a wheelcart and you gotta make sure that you feed the signal to the monitor as soon as the camera's position is set. You dont want the director to be blocking the scene blind! The sooner you do it, the better, since it also helps to detract the rest of the crew's attention away from the tiny camera lcd. Lesser people crowding around the camera, lesser chance of someone knocking over the tripod. Make sure your BNC cables are safely plugged in and neatly laid out on the floor. A mess of cables is an ugly sight, it's harder for you to recoil them and someone might trip over!

Since you'll be handling P2 cards instead of tape or film, that's completely out of my league at the moment since I've never been in that situation before. But I'm sure there are plenty others who are much more experience than I am who can chip in on that.

Have fun!
 
Luzer, that was extraordinarily helpful. Thank you. You're Barry Green's competitor now with calming doing frantic camera people.

The BNC cable is what connects the camera to the monitor, yes? and we'll have two monitors. One HD, one...not HD. I guess I'll need some sort of BNC twofer to separate the signal into two video outputs.

Where can I find an AC manual for 35mm DOF chart? I've got all the other goodies from my special effects and lighting jobs.

We are using the PS Technik Mini 35mm adapter. I'm pretty sure the DP doesn't know much about it as I was informed he's pretty new at this (im holding my breath) and I don't think he's even shot on the HVX. But I have, so I think I'll prolly be showing him a bunch of basic things. As for mounting it, I'm basically assuming I can figure it out. I'm pretty tech savvy and we should have a couple extra days of playing around with the equipment.

Thanks again amigo!
 
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