Cinematography-Theory-And-Practice

Figure 15.8. (top) Types of toemarks.Figure 15.9. (bottom) Different coloredmarks are used for each actorso there is no confusion. This is whythe second AC always carries severalcolors of paper tape that are used formaking marks.sound or MOS. It should list the frame rate and any special filtersbeing used. The slate will also indicate any effects such as differentframe rates. In the case of multiple cameras, each one may be slatedseparately, or one slate might serve them all, which is called commonmarker. A variation on this is to head slate each camera with their individualroll number, frame rate, and other information and then usea simple clapper or timecode slate to clap all cameras together. Thisensures the proper data for each camera but saves film by providinga single marker for all. The head slate need not be continuous; justa few frames and then turn off the camera. This is called bumping aslate.This is not true with tapeless cameras — do a continuous roll. Thereason for this is that with tapeless cameras, every time the camerarolls, a separate video file is created, which does not necessarily haveany relation to the shot. This means you may end up with a harddrive or memory card that has dozens of slate shots that have noconnection to anything else.The second AC is also in charge of setting up monitors for the DPand director, cabling them and making sure they are operating properly.If there is a DIT on the job, they might handle this task.LoaderThe loader does exactly as the name implies: they load the film mags.In addition to keeping the mags loaded and ready to go, the loaderalso keeps track of the film stock received, the amount used, andexcess recans or reloads kept in stock. To do this a film stock reportis a standard form that they continually update.Data WranglerData Wrangler is an important position for digital crews. Essentiallyit replaces the film loader, who is no longer needed on a digital crew.The functions are similar: taking care of and keeping track of therecorded footage and preparing the medium for the next cameraload. It’s the same job but with different technology.On tapeless jobs, the recording medium might be hard drives, P2cards, secure digital cards, compact flash cards or direct to a laptop computer,such as the SI-2K HD camera. The data wrangler has threeessential jobs: archive/backup, erasing/formatting for the nextcamera load and checking the footage for problems and data integrity.Some producers underestimate the job and just take the attitudethat the second AC can do it on the side. This just means that thesecond will often not be available to perform their regular duties,which increases the opportunities for mistakes and stress on the partof the rest of the camera crew.DITThe Digital Imaging Technician is important on larger jobs but maynot be needed (or affordable) on smaller jobs. The DIT is essentiallya second pair of eyes for the DP. The DIT will generally have astation near the set with high-quality monitors and good viewingconditions (no stray light — often a light-proof tent for exteriors)and a waveform monitor and vectorscope. The DIT may also makecamera adjustments and setup in accordance with the DPs instructions.In some cases, the DIT can remotely control exposure andother camera settings — this is especially useful on multi-camerashoots where it is important to keep the same look on all cameras.cinematography294