The Steadicam Assistant supports the Operator with rig setup, balancing, and focus, often serving as a trainee in camera operation or focus pulling roles.
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Working Life
The Steadicam Assistant supports the Steadicam Operator, and is effectively a Camera Trainee or Trainee Focus Puller.
Role and Responsibilities
- Fulfils the many supporting roles, including grip, focus puller and, on single camera shoots only, data wrangler (transfer of all data from media cards to either the shoot laptop or external drives).
- The preparation, checking, and packing of all camera equipment prior to a shoot.
- Responsible for all consumables such as batteries.
The role is usually freelance, requires a full driving licence, and real ambition to learn this skill through an experiential, on-the-job route.
Works with
- Steadicam Operator
- Director
- Camera Team
- Line Producer
- Production Manager
Qualities - Steadicam 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 Steadicam operator covers the different types of action.
Enjoy team-work, be capable of taking direction and have great attention to planning, check-lists, and detail.
Be extremely time-conscious and punctual.
Be capable of working long days, sometimes in challenging locations, and, when necessary, being on the road for several weeks at a time.
Have a full driver’s licence.
Have a knowledge of all relevant safe working practices and regulations.
Interests - Steadicam 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 - Steadicam Assistant Single Camera
Education Route: A qualification in film studies or photography can be beneficial but is not essential.
Career Path to Steadicam Assistant - Single Camera: Steadicam assistants come to the role in the same way as camera assistants, by learning on on-the-job from senior camera operators.
Career Path from Steadicam Assistant - Single Camera: 2nd AC/Clapper Loader, 1st AC/Focus Puller, Steadicam Operator, Camera Operator.
