Tips to be a Good 1st AC

Lars takes the lead in the third segment this month as he talks about the role and duties of a 1st AC (or camera assistant). Whether you are a seasoned vet in the camera department or are looking to get started, Lars has a few tips and tricks to help you to be a great 1st AC.

What are some things you expect a 1st AC to know or do when you are working on set? Share in the comments below.

Trends from the Trenches is now a podcast! Listen to Lars and Jay P’s news and reviews when you are on the go.

[DSLRguide]

A couple of things to add:
1. When shooting handheld / movi, the AC often holds the camera between takes so that the operator doesn't get too tired.
2. When passing the lens over, you ask them 'got it?' and don't let go until they say 'got it.'.  Good habit to get into so expensive lenses aren't dropped.

[filmlover]

Some other great beginning AC tips:
1. Don't be afraid to ask questions, especially if you don't know the lingo for a certain piece of gear. I made this mistake on my first "professional" AC gig and I ended up wasting time and bringing back the wrong things! Besides, you'll maybe even learn more about other departments as well!
2. Bring some sort of medium-sized tool bag to set with you. Most AC's have large tool kit with various things (myself included) and we'll leave them on the camera cart. I also have a smaller tool bag that I keep the top essentials in and I will leave it as close to the camera as safe as possible at ALL times. Also, wearing an AC pouch is a good idea because it just allows you to free up your hands more. You can carry cards in them, lens cleaning products, etc.
3. If you find out that the DP likes certain snacks from crafty, be sure to carry some in your tool bag by the camera. Surprises during hour #12 are sure to be highly appreciated when people can't easily make it to crafty (the food).
4. DON'T RUSH! Being quick is great, be quick all you want...but don't rush. Many people (including myself) have dropped expensive lenses this way (it didn't break thankfully :P) but don't rush. You'll also burn out quickly with the long days. 
5. Don't be afraid to make mistakes! You are no the first and you certainly won't be the last. As long as they are not catastrophically ridiculous. 
6. HAVE FUN!!! Being an AC is addicting. I've always (and still do) wanted to be a DP, but the more AC work that I do, the more I want to stay an AC! CRAZY!

Some other notes:
-When marking multiple cameras, and making roll tabs for multiple cameras, use different colored tape (paper tape works best) for each. It just helps to identify it even more. 
-ALWAYS say "got it!" in response to switching a lens. I've even heard people say "thank you" or "good, you". It's standard (at least everywhere I've worked). 

If you are a 2nd, just don't smash your fingers in the slate. :)

[KSs]

"I've never been an AC, but as a DP".

[panos]

My tip is, learn to be quick and anticipate the needs of the DoP. Sometimes, if the DoP needs to ask you for sth you've already lost time. So for me one of the most important things is to be in sync with the DoP and to learn how to predict some stuff. Like if you see the DP talking to the director and you hear sth about a lens change, be ready for it, maybe predict the focal lenght from context and be ready when he looks at you to signal the lens change.
One more is dont ask questions that will confuse or take the DP's mind out of what he is currently doing. If you want to ask sth about a next setup, wait until the right moment when he is a bit free, you dont want the DP talking to the gaffer about sth and then you go in to interrupt and ask a question that is not crucial at the moment.
Lastly, be always present but dont get in the way. If the DP needs the camera at a certain place, be quick and efficient on the change. If the DP isnt near the camera but the director needs to see sth through the camera or at a certain height/ place/ angle/ framing, be there to do it quickly.
An AC's job is all about being quick, efficient and saving time, not wasting it. If you have to: ask questions, go to the bathroom, drink water or anything else that could slow down the shoot, do it at your own time or at the right time.

[jacopomeneghin]

in a professional set, the 2 persons involved in a lens change are the 1st and the 2nd ac. The dop just tells to the 1st ac which lens he has to put on, and the 2nd ac brings the new lens to the 1st ac without front and back caps. Maybe there are some exceptions, but 99% of the cases it works like that.

[TorrenFilms]

A few things that aren't quite correct with this video :

1: The DP should never do a lens change. The Focus Puller takes the lens off the camera hands it to the 2nd AC at which point the 2ndAC hands the FP the new lens and the FP mounts the new lens onto the camera. The 2ndAC will now hand the appropriate focus ring and matte-box matte (if being used) to the FP.

2: The script supervisor does take a few basic camera notes but it is the 2ndAC's job to take thorough camera notes and do neat camera report sheets to hand to production at the end of the day.

3: A lot of the responsibilities that are said in this video to be the 1st ACs are actually the 2nACs responsibilities ie; labelling cards with roll numbers, report sheets, overseeing trainees who's responsibility is to make sure picture is up in video village (unless there is a video assist) The FP on a proper shoot can't physically do all this and no experienced FP would accept this work-load without a 2ndAC.

4: 1stAC's are not dying out! Maybe this DP is referring to low budget corporates or something.. I dunno! Anyway, trust me it's not dying out.

5: An FP, if pulling focus straight off the camera, should ideally be on the opposite side to the operator BUT if the Camera is positioned for example, against a wall and you cant get to that side, it's totally acceptable to pull focus on the same side as the operator.

6: It's totally fine to have a metal tape measure as well as a soft tape measure, just don't be retarded and poke an actor's eye out. Get one that's THICK like a stanley fat max so that it can roll out further without snapping and save you the embarrassment.

7: You should wrap the label with the roll number around the CASE of the camera card not the camera card itself as over time, the sticky stuff from the tape can corrode the card and sometimes make it unreadable!

There's soooo many "tips" and "tricks" as they say to being a good 1st AC, but there are soooo many books out there about camera assisting that I aint' gonna bother doing anymore points. Rant over.

[SQUAWWW]

Always Confirm you have a good handle on the lens before exchanging hands, that also goes for the camera.

[cpreyde]

DO NOT WRAP TAPE OVER THE CONNECTORS ON ANY MEDIA!!! Tape can leave residue and gum up media AND the card readers.

[HalloweenTelevision]

For the most part you are describing the responsibilities of the 2nd AC. However if you only have one AC then that makes sense. Usually a Cam Op would never change a lens. 2nds run cards and and lenses, manage monitors, label things. 1sts manage camera settings and lens changes and of course focus.

[ibtrumpet]

I'm in film school right now and someone just asked me to be AC on set this Saturday. I had no idea what that entailed and this video was so helpful! Thank you!

[rominaferreyrayromey]

DO NOT wrap an SD card like that in tape. Once I did that in Camera Tape and when I took it off to do the footage download it DISARMED completely! Parts of it sticked to the tape and the card itself kept unsafe. SD cards are really vulnerable storage supports. Put the tape in a cristal case with the SD card in, do not carry the card around like that because you can EASILY loose the footage!

[davidheadonvisualsandsound]

Some shoots have one camera assistant who marks the shots and also helps with loading and unloading, lens changes etc.
be flexible and versatile enough cover various roles even if your main goal is to pull focus or operate cameras.
Another vital thing you can do if you're able, learn how to operate a camera on geared head, aka 'wheels'. It's a surefire way to make yourself more useful.

[BradleyThomas]

I feel like putting tape over the contacts of the card is pretty detrimental to the card. Maybe put it over the side so they can't put it in.

[BenHeshstudios]

the ac should always make sure he's not in a light shadow position.

[SLordUK]

I shoot with SXS cards which have a large case. On the removable label, I've printed green 'available' on one side and red 'DO NOT ERASE' on the other. When the card comes out of the camera, the write protect goes on an into the case. It works for me!

[ikonmediafilms]

Once you giving a lens or taking a lens you need to say "have it " to confirm the lens is secure in the persons hand

[TonyContiniProductions]

Number 1 is good attitude. Well said.
And just keep hustling.

[stephiekashosi]

This is helpful. For a beginner in film production. I will rewatch and to understand better

[pedropereira]

This Sunday marks my first AC job, just brushing up on a few tips. Wish me luck lol

[malutorres-pestana]

I watched this 3 years ago before my first time on set. I joined local 600 a couple of weeks ago!