Outlines Of Duties

• DOP
• Operator
• Assistant Cameraman
• Digital Image Technician
• Colorist
• Still Photographer

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• Imprint & Data Protection

Outline of duties: Assistant Cameraman

Opening remarks
The camera assistant’s job is both an independent profession and a useful steppingstone to the position of Director of Photography. The first camera assistant is the responsible technician in the camera team and one of the most important collaborators of the Director of Photography.

Duties of the first assistant cameraman
The duties of the first assistant include the practical, technical, and (to some extent) organisational work involved in the production of films and videos. This requires theoretical and practical expertise in the following areas:

• photography
• optics and filter technology
• technology of film stocks
• video technology and signal processing
• electronic recording, storage formats and systems
• camera technology: handling; function; possible application and compatibility of all common camera systems, including all additional devices and equipment (film or electronic)
• film lighting: characteristics and possible application
• technology of film laboratories and film editing
• basic knowledge of postproduction and colour correction techniques
• procedures of film production
• basic understanding of the techniques and options of classic and digital cinematography and their differences
• basic knowledge of audio engineering
• time code (camera settings, synchronisation of several cameras, playback)

Activities of the first assistant cameraman
The activities and responsibilities of the first assistant encompass (in the order of the production phases preparation, filming, and postproduction):

• 1. Preperation:
• 1.1. Reading the script, especially in respect of special filming techniques and special and additional equipment required
• 1.2. In consultation with the Director of Photography:
  compilation of a list of camera equipment, ordering of recording/film material (or of media for data storage), communication with the camera rental company, ordering additional equipment to be used for limited periods of time
• 1.3. Assembling the equipment at the rental company:
  Functional and visual inspection of all equipment, camera set-up according to the instructions of the Director of Photography and determination of the sensitivity of any electronic camera; tests of lenses, cameras and materials, control of tests and, if required, repeated or additional tests and exchange of equipment, assuring proper and complete delivery of equipment
• 1.4. Agreement with the production company about storage and/or transport of equipment and recording materials


• 2. Filming:
• 2.1. Setting up and dismantling the camera, and altering its setup with assistance from the grips
• 2.2. Changing of lenses, filters and magazines
• 2.3. Checking the camera, the lenses and the filters with respect to function and cleanliness
• 2.4. Setting of all camera and lens parameters
• 2.5. Protecting the lens from any undesired incidence of light
• 2.6. Responsibility for focus and focus pulling; regular checking of the back-focus
• 2.7. Checking the gate for dust and scratches
• 2.8. Setting of the variable shutter; switching the camera into reverse mode, slow motion, fast motion/time lapse, ramps; assuring a flicker free recording; setting of shutter or frame rate and (if necessary) format
• 2.9. Connection, checking and setting of the video assist and other additional equipment
• 2.10. Setting and checking of the class 1 monitor as well as the vectorscope and waveform monitor
• 2.11. Carrying out small repairs of the camera and additional equipment
• 2.12. Contact with the film laboratory, the editing room, with the postproduction company
• 2.13. Presence at the screening of rushes
• 2.14. Test-developing / test-recording and viewing if required by insurers


• 3.Postproduction, in collaboration with the clapper loader:
• 3.1.Cleaning and checking of the camera equipment

Duties and activities of the second assistant cameraman
The most important task of the second camera assistant (or clapper loader) is the secure handling and management of the recording material. In addition, the second assistant helps the first assistant in all technical and organisational matters.

• 1. Preparation:
• 1.1. Acquisition of the necessary consumables
• 1.2. Receipt of the recording material
• 1.3. Orders of sensitometry tests from the film processing laboratory


• 2. Filming:
• 2.1. Management of the exposed / recorded and unexposed / unrecorded film stock right up to packaging ready for transport and delivery to the production company
• 2.2. Regular comparison of the stocks with the daily report
• 2.3. Loading and unloading of the recording material
• 2.4. In case of scenic electronic productions, connection of the monitors
• 2.5. Regular charging of the batteries and care of the entire camera equipment
• 2.6. Writing negative and sound report sheets
• 2.7. Operating the clapperboard (clapper loader)


• 3. Postproduction:
• 3.1. Checking of completeness, cleaning and return of the camera equipment
• 3.2. Settling the accounts for materials