Prepare camera equipment for shoots
Overview
This standard is about preparing camera equipment for shoots. This can apply to digital or film cameras. This could apply to any type of production including feature films, TV dramas, commercials, documentaries, sports coverage, outside broadcast and live or stage events. This could apply to single or multi camera situations.
This includes identifying equipment needs, checking availability of equipment, making sure equipment is adequately packaged for transport to set, packing and managing equipment bags, assessing the impact of the environment, establishing appropriate bases on which to build cameras and monitors, laying out equipment and acclimatising glassware.
This standard is relevant to those responsible for preparing camera equipment for shoots including those working as 2nd Assistants or Clapper loaders.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- identify camera equipment needed to meet production requirements
- check the availability of camera equipment and associated materials with appropriate people
- make sure camera equipment is tested and working prior to being transported to set
- assess the impact of the shooting environment on camera equipment
- make sure camera equipment is appropriately packaged for transport to set
- pack and organise equipment bags with items that will be needed in an order that can be easily retrieved
- make sure all camera equipment is transported to set
- establish an appropriate on set location for camera equipment
- lay out camera equipment and materials in an appropriate and accessible manner
- select and acclimatise relevant glassware to location conditions
- establish appropriate bases on which to build cameras and monitors
- organise cameras and accessories to enable straightforward assembly
- assemble camera heads on appropriate legs
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- key characteristics of current cameras, lenses and attachments and major obsolescent models
- camera handling techniques and the implications of damage to cameras
- cleaning and maintenance procedures and products for the camera equipment in use including cleanliness of all glass surfaces
- how to check the availability of camera equipment and associated materials
- how to interpret camera equipment needs from a call sheet
- how to load and organise the working layout of a camera truck
- the purpose of equipment bags, what they should contain and how to organise them
- the role of others involved and when to liaise with them including camera operators, and 1st camera assistants or focus pullers
- how to store cameras and lenses safely and securely
- any special requirements to ensure the safety and security of camera equipment when left unattended
- relevant manufacturers' instructions for the camera equipment in use
- the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures including requirements for lifting and carrying