Before production, oversee checkout and make sure everything is loaded on the truck properly. You're responsible for its safekeeping. Pickup truck from the Film School during production. The Key Grip is the driver. Make sure you get to set before call time, because...
Film School
New Set, Different Job
Saturday was picture wrap for the show I Key Gripped, but there's no time to recover as yesterday started a brand new show where I'm Best Boy Electric. Most of the crew that I worked with Thursday-Saturday is also on this show. The sudden shift is slightly weird. You...
How to be a Best Boy Electric
Show up for check-out, or worse - the truck is transferred over to you from the previous show. Open the door to find everything in disarray. Curse the previous crew under your breath as you shift through all the special equipment that should have been taken off and is...
A Truck Full of Equipment
Each production gets a certain amount of equipment that I suppose someone deemed was enough to make a film. This is a standard package that has the camera, big and little sticks, dolly, dolly track, assortment of lights, sandbags, apple boxes, c-stands, light stands,...
No Communication is a Bad Thing
I'm Second Assistant Director (2AD) right now. This is my last ATL job and second to last thesis show. I wouldn't call this show a disaster...yet. The main problem is lack of communication. The UPM and I have been kept in the dark about what's going on from the...
Steadicam – Set Anatomy
The Steadicam sled supported by a C-stand. This is where the Steadicam is built, balanced, and attached to the operator.
The Arri SRII – Set Anatomy
The Arri SRII on the English Vinten head with Zeiss zoom, operated by the Director of Photography.
Flats – Set Anatomy
Flats, or fake walls. These flats have little holes in them for a lighting effect, which is why many lights are pointing at the backs of them. From left to right, the lights are a 1k soft, 2k soft, and 1k soft.
Spaceship Set – Set Anatomy
All of these flats and the floor are made from 4x8 sheets of dry erase boards. The two red marks on the kiosk are for motion tracking for some monitors that will be added in post. Baby Cools and Tweenies are suspended above the flats for lighting.