As you advance, you will find there are a lot of great tools out there that makes life as an camera assistant easier. If you are just starting out, check out our other articles Level I: Starter Kit or Level II: Leveling Up, otherwise this article focuses on extra tools that are beneficial, but not a total necessity.
Some may disagree and argue that these items listed below are vital, but it all really depends on the person. You will learn how you like to work as you continue on your path as a camera assistant.
Tools to Make Life Easier: Expendables
Cost | Item | Purpose | Link |
$7.64 | Paper tape - 1" orange | MORE tape for marking ground, actors, mag tags, etc // labeled Level III bc you can start collecting more colors | |
$7.64 | Paper tape - 1" purple | MORE tape for marking ground, actors, mag tags, etc // labeled Level III bc you can start collecting more colors | |
$1.26 | China marker | China markers have a lot of uses. You can use it to mark the sticks to specify a lens height or even on the europlate, to specify how forward the camera should sit on the head to keep it balanced. I have also seen it used on the lens itself as a marker. It erases easily. I don't see these used that often in the field as I used to | |
$59.99 | Canned air + nozzle | Canned air is useful for blowing dust off the camera or mattebox if you are in a dusty place. Crew also really like to ask you for it so they can blow their ear pieces that have been clogged up. Canned air is very useful for loading film cameras. You need to ensure that it dust, hair, and debris free. Every time you load a mag, you always air it out with canned air. I've also attached a link to an electronic air duster that I've been seeing more often. Note: Canned air is never used directly on the sensor of the camera. Use your rocket blower Joe Gunawan, Local 600 1st AC, highly recommends the 3rd link, cordless air duster because it's filtered air. | |
$15.90 | Bag It's Rain Cover | If there is rain in the forecast, get a few bag its. They have variation of sizes if you would also like to get one for your cart | |
$14.99 | Cap Its Rain Cover | This rain cover is specifically for the camera. It's like a shower cap for the camera. | |
$6.45 | Chamois | Some DP's prefer a chamois which is a soft cover that goes over the eyepiece. If you have an expendables budget, ask the DP if there is anything he needs. Make sure you get the size that fits the camera you are working with |
Total for expendables is approximately $99.00
Tools to Make Life Easier: Long-Term Tools
Cost | Item | Purpose | Link |
$64.95 | Walkie Surveillance | It's nice to have your own surveillance that you know works. This is not a necessity because production typically has surveillance available. | |
$330.95 | 1510 pelican w/ trekpack | This is my primary AC kit. I put all my main tools in here | |
$96.00 | 1510 top lid | The lid is great for additional storage space. I have so many small items to store: bnc barrels, cable ties, baby pins, cinelock, bongo ties, etc. | |
$10.25 | Mini insert slate | Sometimes you have a very very close shot and need an even tinier slate Atlas Lens Co. has a business card that is a mini slate and I have used many times | |
$10 | Focus pulling camera strap | Because why not pull in style? ;) This is what I use to hold my wireless follow focus unit Also, this material is really comfortable. This may not work as a camera strap for everyone because they may need an adjustable strap to wear comfortable. | |
$1.47 | Paintbrush | For cleaning the camera when you are in dusty places | |
$38 | Canned air pouch | This is especially great if you are working in film. As a 2nd AC or loader you should have canned air accessible | |
$59 | Cable wallet | I use this all the time. This is where I store my back up cables easily accessible if needed. | |
$10 | Cable clips | The idea of cable management is nice, but I always tend to have more cables than these clips can hold | |
$49.00 | Camera Cover | This is a nicer camera cover than a space blanket and looks more professional. I personally have the Panavision cover ($80.00) that you can only buy at the physical Woodland Hills Panavision store. The link is to a reputable brand for many other AC accessories. | |
$7.10 | Chalk holder | This is to hold your chalk so you don't get your hands all chalky | |
$7.63 | 1/2" cable cover/cord protector | This is actually my favorite way to manage the cables on the camera, especially when the DP has an onboard monitor. It gives it a really clean look | |
$35 + | Filter tags | Filter tags are typically placed on the left side of the mattebox so the DP knows what filtration is inside Tip: Cheap way to make filter tags is to save hotel key cards, p-touch a nice label on one side, and put velcro on the other | |
$15.97 | Retractable leash | I got this so I could use my rocket blower and then release it and have it hang on my belt. This is definitely not an essential item | |
Marks | There are a variety of marks you can get for a variety of sitautions |
Total for these tools is approximately $736.00 dependent on how all out you want to go.
Tools to Make Life Easier: Bits & Bobs
Cost | Item | Purpose | Link |
$81.00 | Cinelock | This is a really great tool. You can put this at the end of your on-board monitor and quickly take it off if you need to for different builds. For example, you have studio mode with an onboard, but if you need to switch to steadicam, you can just use a cinelock to make changing the builds more efficient on set Kondor Blue also has an affordable option | |
$3.95 | BNC barrels | This is to connect two BNC cables together. For example, if you only have two 25' BNC cables, you can connect the two to create a 50' run. | |
$4.85 | BNC splitter | A splitter helps take one connection and split the image into two lines. Somehow these ended up in my kit over time. I honestly don't think the feed is ever good. I don't use this if I can avoid it | |
$4.53 | BNC right angle adaptor | This is useful when ports are difficult to reach and you have to connect and disconnect bnc for some reason. It's also good if it helps avoid pinching your cables | |
$13 | Baby pin 3/8" | This is useful for handheld monitors if you want to put it on a C-stand or the rental house did not provide you with a baby pin receiver. This also is useful if you need to put a baby pin on the camera for grip to secure a hold onto the camera for safety reasons. | |
$16 | Baby pin 1/4-20" | It's good to have variety. The purpose of this is the same as the 3/8" but with a different screw size | |
$42.50 | 25' BNC (Back up) | It's always good to have a back-up BNC cable in case your wireless goes down. |
Total for bits and bobs are $80.96+ again depending on how much you want to add.
I hope these three articles have been useful! Please keep tuned in for our next article:
Camera Assistant Tool Guide: Level IV - Rental Items
Terminology
Europlate: Quick release plate for the Oconnor
Sticks: Usually referring to Oconnor standard sticks or baby sticks. Essentially a tripod for the camera but beefier
Mattebox: A piece of equipment that goes in front of the lens to carry filters and also helps block out unwanted flares. This can be a mattebox that sits on the rods or be a clip on mattebox that can clip directly to the lens
BNC: Stands for Bayonet Neill-Concelman, but it is the connector for video display
What are some of your go-to tools as a camera assistant? Which tools would you feel lost without? Are there any items you think should be added to this list? Let us know by filling out our contact form. We'd love to hear from you!
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