Cinematography-Theory-And-Practice

Figure 15.5. (top) Attaching a filterto a lens when there is no matte boxor the filter won’t fit the matte boxcan be accomplished by making adaisy out of camera tape (1 inch clothtape).Figure 15.6. (bottom) The filterattached to the tape. This is a lastresort for when you don’t have amatte box that will hold the filter. Bevery careful; filters are expensive!the operator using a zoom control mounted on the handle). other AC’s and sometimes the grips.camera report.generally done in two ways. Most cameras have a mark on the sidethat identifies the exact position of the film plane. Positioned preciselyabove that is a stud that the AC can hook a cloth measuringtape onto and measure the exact distance to all the objects that willbe focused on. Most ACs also carry a carpenter’s metal measuringtape, either 1 inch or 3/4 inch wide. This is useful for quick checksbefore close in shots. The metal tape extends out quickly and the ACcan make last-minute measurements in case something has moved.The third method is eye focus. This can be done with either theoperator and the ACs or by the first AC himself. Someone — eitherthe actor, a stand-in or the second AC — goes to each of the keypositions. The operator looks through the viewfinder and focuses.The first AC then marks it on the dial of the focus mechanism.off a small flashlight (Maglight). The exposed bulb provides an accurateand fast focus point that can be used even in low-light situations.the dolly track, thus knowing that at a specific point he is x numberof feet and inches away from the subject. The last component canonly be described as zenvisually judge distance and make adjustments on the fly. The first ACis also the one who goes to the checkout. Checkout is usually the daybefore shooting starts. At checkout the first:is properly seated.shutter, and so on. (e.g., A camera, B camera, etc.). Usually, different colors ofcamera tape are used for this.video camera.is the T-stop properly set, is the focus prepared, is the camera set atthe right speed, and are their any flares? It is best to do it in the sameorder every time for consistency. In previous times this checklist wascinematography292