This annoy anyone else?

S

sjcampbell

Member
Camera assistants with about 12 rolls of tape attached to his/her belt?

Does my head in.

Was working today and the tape was making a bit of noise. Asked if he would remove a few rolls and he gave me a dry stare.

I mean who honestly need that much tape round their waist.

Camera Tape
Gaffer Tape
Electrical tape (The devils work)

Thats all you should need at a push.



Sorry rant over. Really bugged me today.
 
I would imagine they carry the tape for the same reason you have a lot of adapters. They probably have some specific use and it doesn't come up often but you get rehired because when it did YOU had the fix at hand.

I feel your pain but I learned a long time ago that we all have very distorted perceptions of the needs/ difficulties / stresses, of jobs we don't do. So I will assume there is a reason. Of course he might just be compensating for deficiencies elsewhere... You could spread the rumor that caring a tot of tape around had a similar side effect to heavy steroid use. ;~)
 
Now, this may not be an answer to your direct question, but I once saw a great video on 1st assistants and the tape was for all the different labeling of similar items. In the film days differant color tape was used for differant types of film rolls. Daylight, Low light etc...was all labeled with a color coded tape. Messing up the exposure of all these rolls that look so similar would be the ASS of the 1st assistant, so that was why they carried lots of different tape. My .02 to the discussion.

If it was me, maybe I would ask him/her to stand 'still' while pulling focus, rather than moving so much and messing up the sound. (just kidding :) )

Ian
 
Not to mention putting marks on the ground.
Put 4 characters in a shot with movement and the floor can start looking like a twister board pretty quick
with all the different colors.
 
Sorry to bring up an old thread. But I am looking to get some gaffer tape to have handy. What are the ones to have/most useful? Just want to make sure I have some tape to handle a situation (if it arises) for a short I would like to shoot. I plan on getting some black and white tape. Not sure how many other colors I will need. I searched a bit and found this thread. Thanks.
 
prexdealer said:
Sorry to bring up an old thread. But I am looking to get some gaffer tape to have handy. What are the ones to have/most useful? Just want to make sure I have some tape to handle a situation (if it arises) for a short I would like to shoot. I plan on getting some black and white tape. Not sure how many other colors I will need. I searched a bit and found this thread. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Red, Blue, green and orange come to mind right away. Then there is pink, yellow, lt. blue......... A minimum of 4 colors is a good start, though. Plus a 1" and 3" roll of black FABRIC gaff tape is really handy.
 
Doc Bernard said:
Red, Blue, green and orange come to mind right away. Then there is pink, yellow, lt. blue......... A minimum of 4 colors is a good start, though. Plus a 1" and 3" roll of black FABRIC gaff tape is really handy.
Click to expand...

Thanks Doc! Fabric is better than paper? I trust what you say, just curious of when each one is used. Thanks!
 
sjcampbell said:
Camera assistants with about 12 rolls of tape attached to his/her belt?

Was working today and the tape was making a bit of noise. Asked if he would remove a few rolls and he gave me a dry stare.
Click to expand...
That's when you go to the 1st AD and explain that the AC needs to be quieter during takes. Not come on an internet forum and complain about how the big mean camera assistant wouldn't listen to you.
 
Fabric is much more durable. It would be useless to try to tape cables to the floor with paper tape if there is any foot traffic, for example.
And note that REAL gaffer's tape is designed to be removable with minimal trauma. Duct tape is terrible unless you are repairing HVAC ducts.

Note that it is NOT "gaff" or "gaffa" or "gafers" tape. It is gaffer's tape. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaffer_(filmmaking)
Note that it is NOT "duck" tape, it is duct tape. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape Note that "Duck" is the brand name of ONE manufacturer.
 
prexdealer said:
Thanks Doc! Fabric is better than paper? I trust what you say, just curious of when each one is used. Thanks!
Click to expand...
You'd use the fabric tape when you need strength. Paper tape is more for light duty, and putting a spike down for the talent's marks (you could use fabric here too, but that stuff is pretty pricey in comparison).

Yeah, I have heard it called a bunch of things and a bunch of spellings. It usually depends where in the world/country you are located. If someone walked up to me and asked for it using any of those terms, I know what they were asking for.

(and I'd tell them to go to the grip department......I am a sound guy. I don't got no steenking gaff tape)(except for my private stash)
 
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Doc Bernard said:
If someone walked up to me and asked for it using any of those terms, I know what they were asking for.

(and I'd tell them to go to the grip department......I am a sound guy. I don't got no steenking gaff tape)(except for my private stash)
Click to expand...

I am gonna say, "Doc Bernard told me to tell you to piss off!" LOL JK.:D
 
Doc Bernard said:
Red, Blue, green and orange come to mind right away. Then there is pink, yellow, lt. blue......... A minimum of 4 colors is a good start, though. Plus a 1" and 3" roll of black FABRIC gaff tape is really handy.
Click to expand...

... and Red should always be your lead. Starting with T-marks, heel marks, finally ending with toe square marks. Just make sure to NEVER carry more tape/color/variety than the entire camera department put together.
 
Richard Crowley said:
Note that it is NOT "gaff" or "gaffa" or "gafers" tape. It is gaffer's tape.

Note that it is NOT "duck" tape, it is duct tape.
Click to expand...

...But what happens when you have to fix a tear in a model's Ga fur-coat ?

Or when the animal wrangler can't keep all his ducks in a row ?

12 rolls is not enough!
 
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