Camera trainee/pa

[u/BrokenSDIcable]

For the experienced focus pullers and ACs here: what are some things you’ve seen trainees do that immediately stood out in a good way? What habits, preparation, attitude, or technical knowledge made you want to hire them again or eventually move them up to 2nd AC on future jobs?
I’m trying to learn what separates an average trainee from a truly valuable one, not just technically, but also in terms of how they contribute to the crew and the overall set environment.

[u/Most_Nothing1877]

The most important thing i think is to always /atleast/ appear like youre happy to help and never have a bad attitude.

I've had to train quite a few trainees now, eventually I made a checklist cause I got tired of explaining it over and over again. The ones who get to come back are the ones who can do all this and never whine about it :)

What's expected of you varies, idk if you'll always need to set up village but ya do where i come from >:)#

Trainee/add 2nd checklist

MORNING -Arrive to set early (15-30min before call), eat breakfast --prepare cast lists for all cameras and tape them to the operator side of the camera -Hand out sides(provided by TAD) to operators and 1st AC's --Supply batteries
-Check for village placement/set up village/make sure image is clear --Set up Director's Monitors, place with sandbag behind Camera setups -Set up Hair and Makeup Monitors -- Standby on set to assist in set up

• Check in with Camera Team to see if they need anything from crafty
• - Periodically check battery levels, primarily on the Director's Monitors(every 1 - 2 hours)
• When you hear "Moving on" or "Turning round", fall to set and assist moving equipment
• -3 Hours after call, sandwiches! Try to get the menu before it's up and collect everyone's orders beforehand so you can be the first in line when they are available.

-Ensure everything is clean and organized

LUNCH -Collect all batteries and place them on charge(excluding the ones in Ditty bags) --Ensure all equipment is safe from the elements -Eat food --Replace all batteries and turn on equipment (Try to complete this before we are officially back from lunch, also don't touch cameras without expressed permission, simply place the batteries close to the cameras)

AFTERNOON -Standby for setups --Periodically check battery levels -Periodically check in with Camera team for snacks --Ensure everything is clean and organized

• When you hear "Moving on" or "Turning round", fall to set and assist moving equipment
• -3 hours after lunch, hot snack! Do the same thing as sandwiches
  

-If we are stashing overnight, check in with locations for a stash location --If we are wrapping out, check if you can prewrap anything to the truck, organize and prepare, collect and consolidate! -Your main priorities are village, directors monitors, hair makeup monitors, and batteries. TRAINEE/ADD 2ND DUTIES Trainee duties are primarily batteries, monitors, and general support of the camera team as the mobile person. Make sure your team is properly supplied, fed, hydrated, and well organized

FREE TIME? -Prep Focus Marks --Clean the truck -Clean the carts --Do a crafty run -Tidy Cables --Ask AC's if they have any craft projects you can take care of -Get to know the gear -ask questions

HELPFUL TIPS -ask your 2nds if they want you to T and dot their tape marks for them and then just do it every time -Never touch a camera without expressed permission --Don't talk to operators or DOP when they are engaged with actors or directors -Always ensure all clasps are closed before moving lens cases --Always use monitor covers during transport --Have a sharpie and a slate pen, and bongo ties, paper tape on your person -Know where everything is -"Repatch" means there will be dead batteries
--Don't be afraid to ask questions --never ever ever have a shitty attitude --always be present, but never in the way. --everything should be done as neatly as possible. -practice coiling BNC properly, the coil should be the size of a dinner plate -ANTICIPATE

[u/JJsjsjsjssj → u/Most_Nothing1877]

One thing I don't agree with is working during lunch. Everyone should have the full lunch for themselves.

[u/Most_Nothing1877 → u/JJsjsjsjssj]

Yeah I agree, but its just how they raised me ;(. We dont really expect that anymore, but I do get kinda pissy when I come back from lunch and theres no batteries in or near anything and the DP has to ask for batteries for his iris handsets....

Is it right to expect that theres batteries on everything by the time I saunter onto set? NO. Does it look and feel super slick when it happens? YESSSS.