From our ongoing exploration of ways to become a faster and more efficient camera assistant, today’s tip is:
3. Maximize Your Camera Prep
With expensive cinema cameras, there really is no other way to make sure gear is ready to get slogged through an intense production than a camera prep. Not all shoots you work on will give you a prep day, but plenty will — and you have to maximize it.
Having time to get together with your department before a shoot is a great chance to preemptively make yourself faster on set.
Just a few ways you can take advantage of prep days:
- Learn how different rigs work and pre-configure them
- Run camera tests to finalize settings the director of photography likes
- Organize equipment within cases in a way you prefer
- Troubleshoot and fix hardware problems with rented gear
- Establish workflows within your department for data, lens exchanges, etc.
There will be very few opportunities to get together as a camera department on such a relaxed schedule — when you’re on set, the game changes.
So take advantage of camera preps as much as possible to solve problems ahead of time.
What steps do you take during camera prep to prevent potential issues?
