Prepping 3 cameras · Provision Academy

Aug 28 (edited) in 💬 | General Discussion

Prepping 3 cameras

On any feature, tv series, commercial, etc. Most of the time, there is prep. This is where you make sure the camera and all accessories work. You check the lenses to make sure that they are sharp at 3',6',9',12' and on long lenses 30', 70'. Make sure that you have the right settings. By this time, you already have communicated with the DP what are his/her/they desired settings. Wireless system works etc. Yesterday, I was prepping 3 Arri Mini LF by myself. I spent two days through email trying to explain to the production supervisor that it is impossible to prep 3 cameras by myself. There is always no money to get another 1st or 2nd ac at the prep. My strategy is to reply in an email and include the UPM, Producer, DP that there will be a delay because I was short staffed at prep. This is a promo for Disney. So, there is a pre light day with a lot of down time. However, as a key 1st AC;I always try to get my crew the proper time (and money) to get their camera and work station ready for the shoot days.

P.S.: The B 1st and 2nd ac came to the prep to get their camera ready. I am still working to get at least the B 2nd ac to get pay for the prep yesterday. Stay tuned

Here is the update from the job: After a back and forth with the UPM and producer. The B 2nd got pay for the prep day. The job went well. A lesson for everyone in this academy, always fight for your team when you see an injustice.

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