Overview

The Fifth Edition of The Camera Assistant's Manual has been completely updated to reflect the technology of today, providing crucial guidance to student filmmakers as they prepare to enter the professional world and work as camera assistants. David Elkins has the technical know-how to provide students with easy to follow advice about how to act on set, what a camera assistant is expected to do, and all the tips and tricks that will make a first or second camera assistant ready to advance to the next level. Readers will learn how the skill sets of a 1st or 2nd AC (Camera Assistant) in film and digital (HD) intertwine, how they differ, and all they need to know to do both jobs well. The advancements in HD and digital video are only adding to an already demanding job, and this fifth edition of The Camera Assistant's Manual provides Camera Assistant novices and experienced ACs alike with valuable knowledge that they need to work in both formats. This nuts and bolts guide covers the basics of cinematography, how to maintain a camera, how to transport a camera, how to troubleshoot common problems that arise on set, and even advice about interviewing for the job. The new edition has also been updated to include new forms, checklists, tables, and illustrations that will be essential to the success of any camera assistant. Using problem solving skills, readers will hone proficiency both on the set and off, and they will find a vital tool for their toolkits in this book.

Full Product Details

Author:   David E. Elkins, SOC (Filmmaker-In-Residence and Chair of the Cinematography Department, North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking, Winston-Salem, USA.) ,  David E. Elkins, SOC (Filmmaker-In-Residence and Chair of the Cinematography Department, North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking, Winston-Salem, USA.)
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Focal Press
Edition:   5th New edition
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.862kg
ISBN:  

9780240810577

ISBN 10:   0240810570
Pages:   542
Publication Date:   31 March 2009
Audience:   College/higher education ,  College/higher education ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Replaced By:   9780240818689
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   In Print  
Limited stock is available. It will be ordered for you and shipped pending supplier's limited stock.

Table of Contents

Contents Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1 Basics of Cinematography Film Formats Videotape Formats Sync Speed Sync and MOS Film Stock Types of Film Reversal Film Film Speed Aspect Ratios F-Stops and T-Stops Exposure Time Exposure Meters Color Temperature and Color Balance The Camera Filters Camera Mounts Chapter 2 The Camera Department Film Productions SD or HD Video Productions Chapter 3 Second Assistant Cameraman (2nd AC) Preproduction Production Postproduction Working in SD/HD Video Review Checklist for Second Assistant Cameraman (2nd AC or Clapper/Loader) Chapter 4 First Assistant Cameraman (1st AC) Preproduction Production Postproduction Working in SD or HD Video Review Checklist for First Assistant Cameraman (1st AC or Focus Puller) Chapter 5 Problems and Troubleshooting Camera Will Not Run Camera Does Not Stop When Switched to Off Camera Starts and Stops Intermittently Camera Is Noisy Shutter Does Not Spin (No Flicker Through the Viewfinder) Unable to Thread Film into the Gate Area Film Does Not Take Up Camera Door Does Not Close Camera Stops While Filming Film Jams in Camera Camera Does Not Run at Sync Speed Viewing System Is Blacked Out A Fuse Blows When Connecting Electrical Accessories When Shooting a Television Monitor or Computer Screen, a Roll Bar Moves Through the Screen Magazine Is Noisy Film Rips or Has Torn Perforations Film Loses Loop There Are Scratches on the Film Lens Will Not Focus Image Is Fogged When Looking Through Viewfinder Zoom Lens Motor Runs Erratically Zoom Lens Does Not Zoom Throughout Its Entire Range of Focal Lengths Lens Flares Are Seen When Looking Through the Viewfinder Battery Loses Power Image on Video Monitor Is Out of Focus or Is Tilted to the Side Tripod Head Does Not Pan or Tilt Tripod Legs Do Not Slide Up or Down Shooting in Extreme Cold Weather Shooting in Extreme Heat Filming in or Around Salt Water and Camera and Magazine Fall into the Water Shooting Outside Using Tungsten Balanced Film Without an 85 Filter Shooting Inside with Tungsten Light Using Daylight Balanced Film Without an 80A Filter Projected Image Is Shaky or Unsteady Projected Image Is Out of Focus Projected Image Contains Spots or Lines Image Is Not Aligned During the Video Transfer Shooting in Other Countries Troubleshooting Tips Chapter 6 Film Cameras Aaton A-Minima Aaton Xtera and XTR-Prod Aaton 35-III Arriflex 16BL Arriflex 16S/SB Arriflex 16 SR1, 16 SR2, and 16 SR3 Arriflex 416 Arriflex Arricam Lite (LT) Arriflex Arricam Studio (ST) Arriflex 235 Arriflex 535A and 535B Arriflex 435 Arriflex 35BL3 and 35BL4 Arriflex 35-3 Arriflex 765 Bell & Howell Eyemo Moviecam Compact and Moviecam Super America Moviecam SL Panavision Panaflex 16 Panavision Panaflex Golden and GII Panavision Panaflex Millennium and Millennium XL Panavision Panaflex Platinum Panavision Panaflex X Panavision Panastar I and Panastar II Panavision Panaflex 65 Panavision 65mm High Speed Panavision 65mm Hand-Held Photo-Sonics Actionmaster 500 Photo-Sonics 1VN Photo-Sonics 35-4B/4C Photo-Sonics 35-4E/ER Photo-Sonics 35-4ML Chapter 7 Before, During, and After the Job Union or Nonunion Before the Job During the Job After the Job Appendix A Film Stock Appendix B Equipment Cameras Camera Lenses and Accessories Camera Filters Heads and Tripods Appendix C Camera Department Checklists, Production Forms, and Labels Forms and Checklists Camera Equipment Checklist Filters Checklist Expendables Inventory and Checklist Camera Prep Checklist Equipment Received Log Returned Equipment Log Missing or Damaged Equipment Log Job Information Form Film Camera Report Film Developing Purchase Order Video Camera Report Daily Film Inventory Form #1 Daily Film Inventory Form #2 Short End Inventory Form Raw Stock Inventory Form Camera Department Log Sheet Film Stock Request Form Videotape Request Form Camera Department Weekly Time Sheet Personal Time Sheet and Invoice Camera Department Deal Memo Box/Equipment Rental Agreement Camera Department Contact List Labels Film Can Developing Label Short End Label Recan Label X-Ray Warning Label Appendix D Tools and Accessories AC Tools and Accessories Expendables Miscellaneous Items Appendix E Tables and Formulas Tables Film Speed Comparisons Standard Feet per Minute and Frames per Foot at 24 Frames per Second Intermediate F-Stop Values F-Stop Compensation When Using Filters F-Stop Compensation When Using Filters for Black and White F-Stop Compensation for Changes in Frames per Second F-Stop Compensation for Changes in Shutter Angle Hyperfocal Distances Feet per Second and Feet per Minute Running Time to Film Length and Film Length to Running Time Feet to Meters and Meters to Feet Formulas Depth of Field-Near Depth of Field-Far Hyperfocal Distance Electrical Exposure Time F-Stop Feet per Minute for 16mm Feet per Minute for 35mm 3-Perf Format Feet per Minute for 35mm 4-Perf Format Screen Time Feet and Inches to Meters Meters to Feet and Inches Millimeters to Inches Appendix F Resources Camera Manufacturers, Rentals, and Sales Camera Support Equipment Expendables and Supplies Film Laboratories Film Raw Stock Filters Miscellaneous Equipment and Supplies Professional Organizations, Guilds, and Unions Miscellaneous Web Sites Recommended Reading Glossary Index

Reviews

A very well done book on cameras and assisting and for any budding cinematographer or assistant. -Ron Dexter, ASC The Camera Assistant's Manual is well written and easy to comprehend--an essential read for all interested in doing a camera job well done. -Georgia Packard, SOC

A very well done book on cameras and assisting and for any budding cinematographer or assistant. -Ron Dexter, ASC The Camera Assistant's Manual is well written and easy to comprehend--an essential read for all interested in doing a camera job well done. -Georgia Packard, SOC

Author Information

David E. Elkins is a working camera operator and first assistant cameraman with more than 25 years of professional experience working on feature films, television series, commercials, music videos, educational films, industrial films and much more. In addition to his production experience, he has taught numerous film production classes and workshops on both the east and west coasts of the United States. He is an active member of the International Cinematographers Guild Local 600 and Society of Camera Operators (SOC).

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