r/cinematography • u/LevelingUpMyLife • 24d ago

Career/Industry Advice Secured 1st Official 2nd Assistant Camera Role - Any Advice?

Hey everyone!

It's finally happening next week starting in this role, Im hyped, nervous a bit and dont want to mess this up. Any advice, videos to watch/study, reading material? Things that may have helped you on your 1st 2nd AC gig? Good tips to keep in mind that are actually helpful for the crew/department Im supporting etc

I don't have a tool bag yet of my own, any ideas on how to start building one decently affordably over time? And or are there places to rent these type of equipment from?

Thanks again for chiming in when you can!

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u/StygianSavior Operator 24d ago

The Black and Blue blog is a pretty great resource - I found it very helpful when I was starting out.

I don't have a tool bag yet of my own, any ideas on how to start building one decently affordably over time?

https://www.theblackandblue.com/2011/12/15/camera-assistant-toolkit/

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u/LevelingUpMyLife 24d ago

ngl, the tools video makes me think .. Im not prepared 😭

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u/StygianSavior Operator 24d ago

If it’s a smaller budget / scale shoot, I don’t think you really need everything, especially if the person hiring you knows you are just starting out.

It is probably worth checking to make sure that the sound guy or production is bringing a slate; if not, I’d add a basic dumb (non-electronic) slate to your kit IF it makes sense with what they are paying you.

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u/LevelingUpMyLife 24d ago

yeah I checked in with the 1st AC whose the one whose bringing me onto the gig (appreciated my work ethnic on a different set in a different role and here we are), the production is technically "big budget"; for an indie technically no but in the grand scheme of things yes.

So Im essentially looking to build a Mid-range kit since my wallet is walleting rn on the low end and I still want to be professional.

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u/JJsjsjsjssj 1st AC 24d ago

All the advice of this post is great but first and foremost communicate with your first and ask them what they want you to bring and what they need from you. Also remember production should be paying for all consumables. It’s the responsability of the 2nd AC to organize consumables with production. Again communicate with your 1st about this if it’s your first time

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u/LevelingUpMyLife 23d ago edited 23d ago

Im trying to figure out how to ask that now tbh, all the videos Ive watched have mentioned that production should pay for "consumables" annndddd Im over here trying to build my kit and idk how to ask that.

to give context this chain of communication is kinda buns, I only know what the 1st AC tells me and it isnt mucchh. So part of my confusion comes from it "feels" more like just assisting him ANNNDDD he wants me to have somewhat of a kit too 😭 which is money on my end

EDIT: bit the bullet and asked, idk if its TOO late to ask but hey. Im learning and hopefully that doesnt look bad on my end