The Camera Assistant supports camera operators by preparing, checking, and managing all camera equipment before and during shoots, ensuring smooth deployment on location.
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Working Life
The Camera Assistant supports camera operators by preparing, checking, and managing all camera equipment before and during shoots, ensuring smooth deployment on location.
Role and Responsibilities
The Camera Assistant supports the principal camera operator and operators of any additional cameras.
This involves the preparation, checking and packing of all camera equipment prior to a shoot, and its deployment on location. The Camera Assistant is also responsible for all consumables such as batteries. Maintenance and upkeep of all equipment between shoots also applies.
On shoots, the camera assistant will support the camera operator in the setting up and preparation of the camera and all equipment.
For smaller shoots without a dedicated data wrangler, the role will also include responsibility for transferring all data from media cards to the shoot laptop or external drives.
Although primarily a support role, the camera assistant must be capable of operating all cameras used during the shoot and have thorough knowledge of lighting and equipment such as tracks and dollies.
The role also includes coordinating the handover of media cards to the data wrangler (on larger projects or series), or to the production assistant.
The role is location-based and may require a full driving licence.
Works with
- Camera Operator
- Camera Team
- Director
- Line Producer
- All location and studio production crew
- Equipment suppliers
Qualities - Camera Assistant Single Camera
Is this role right for me?
To perform this role, you must:
Be familiar with all aspects of camera equipment operation, set-up, and maintenance.
Understand the process by which a camera operator realises the shooting script in terms of shots and planned sequences.
Enjoy team-work, be capable of taking direction, and have great attention to planning, check-lists, and detail.
Have an aptitude for technology and be adept at trouble-shooting when technology or equipment plays up on location.
Be extremely time-conscious and punctual.
Be comfortable setting up and arranging lighting.
Be capable of working long days, sometimes in challenging locations, and, when necessary, being on the road for several weeks at a time.
Be fully conversant with all aspects of sound-recording.
Maintain an extensive network of freelance camera professionals and related crew, as well as contacts at rental companies for all ancillary equipment.
Have full knowledge of all health and safety regulations and safe practice relating to filming.
Interests - Camera Assistant Single Camera
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Entry / Progression - Camera Assistant Single Camera
Education Route: As is the case with lighting camera operator, the camera assistant may have come through film school or media studies (or perhaps even a more technical route such as electrician).
Career Path to Camera Assistant - Single Camera: Many camera assistants will have learned on on-the-job from senior camera operators, and may have been sound recordists prior to taking up this role.
Career Path from Camera Assistant - Single Camera: 1st Assistant Camera, Camera Operator.
