Inside Assassinaut: A Camera Assistant’s Perspective

Today was payday on day 11 of Assassinaut and while all of us received checks or deposits, some lucky crew received some bonus payments in the form of a fresh currency known as “Kuni Bucks”

We swapped the heat on our backs for water from the trees as the sun disappeared behind the canopy of the forest and the rain clouds drifting above. Day 10 of Assassinaut was rocky and wet and rain was on my mind as I tried to keep it off the camera.

The drive down to our motel for week 2 of Assassinaut brought mixed emotions as I passed my college and thought about how I used to dream about a career in film. And day 9 proved how fruitful those dreams could be.

Safety is of great concern on day 8 of Assassinaut when we whip out the prop guns for firing some blanks and airsoft BB’s on a short day that takes us to the end of week number two.

Never underestimate moving water and never underestimate film production. In both cases, what looks easy can be deceptively tough. Day 7 of Assassinaut was a lesson in how little things on a set can add up to make one day feel like an eternity.

Today on Day 6 we filmed a pivotal scene in Assassinaut that pushes me to consider how you know if a movie is going to be worth watching. For now, the best I can do is keep things in focus and hope what’s good in front of the camera ends up good in front of the audience.

We braved ticks, spiders, tall-grass, rain, and mud on day 5 of Assassinaut. The camera spent most of the day rigged for handheld shots which has its pros and cons for me, the camera assistant.

Not everyday on a film set is easy or fun – sometimes you have to earn your paycheck. Day 4 of the sci-fi feature film Assassinaut was one of those days where you keep filming and keep grinding until you have your shots in the can, even through all the curveballs thrown your way.

Nobody is perfect – I’m certainly not – and there’s always room for improvement. As we wrapped the short week 1 on Assassinaut, I spent an after-wrap run thinking about, “What could I do better?” After some reflection, I came up with five ways I could up my game as we head into week 2.

“Dolly on the move,” was a familiar phrase on Day 3 of Assassinaut. The camera spent all day either stuck on sticks or being pushed & pulled on dolly as we shot coverage of an important criss-crossing table conversation scene.

Assassinaut, the feature film I’m working on as 1st Assistant Camera, has wrapped on a good day 2 which included dissecting a frog, chicken beauty shots, and amazing hustle by crew, cast, and everyone involved. It was stew, not soup.

It’s day 1 on the feature film Assassinaut which I’m working on as 1st AC. And at the beginning of any shoot, there’s always anxiety, dread, and doubt, but it all gets washed away as soon as you blast off and start rolling on the first shot.

Finding out everything works is always a relief at the camera prep while you learn the gear, meet your team, and get ready for Day 1 – there’s no turning back now…

The AC’s battlefield is behind-the-lens. While I prep to step onto that front, I want you to join me for the adventure as I post a daily production diary of my experiences working on the feature film “Assassinaut” for the next six weeks. Day 1 is tomorrow, but camera prep – and Day 0 – is today.