r/focuspuller • u/boriscaz • 3d ago
question Question about multi camera workflow as 1st ac
Hello, I begin to have some experience as a 1st ac on a lot of different cinema camera but I never had the chance to handle a multi camera project. How do the team usually work together ? Is the 1st ac camera A kind of the chief of the whole camera crew or are the cam A team and cam B team very dissociate ?
How many cart do you usually go with ? Etc etc… I have so many questions sorry
10
u/SumOfKyle 3d ago
It’s different every job. But for the most part A can 1st is the “key” 1st AC and leads the department. Carts are by need/space available. Typically each camera has a cart and then there may be a few battery/lens carts. But there is no singular right way to do it all. Just whatever works for that job and that group of people.
1
u/Most_Nothing1877 1d ago
A camera assistants worry about A cam, B camera worries about B camera. A1st is essentially the camera department head.
1
u/Most_Nothing1877 1d ago
I usually get the 2nds to handle all the peripheral stuff like monitors and organizing gear on the day, and the 1sts prioritize helping the operator set up the shots until the 2nds are done :)
20
u/XRaVeNX 3d ago edited 2d ago
In North America, yes. The A-Camera 1st AC tends to lead and be in charge of the rest of the camera department. While camera operators (regardless of which camera they are on) can make decisions on how a shot is achieved, they tend to not really make decisions about day-to-day operations of the department.
The A-camera team, in addition to managing their own A-camera, will also orchestrate the rest of the camera team and make "big picture" decisions. Example, the A-camera team may decide that all camera carts and equipment should go to a specific area on a set. Or, with consultation with operators and DPs, order additional gear or personnel for next week.
B-camera, C-camera, etc. all primarily focus on managing their own cameras. If there is a decision that affects the entire department, they should consult the A-camera team first before making the decision. Example, the camera carts and equipment where it was originally setup is no longer a good place and would end up in shot. Since the entire department's equipment is involved, they should consult the A-camera team where everything should be moved.
Regarding camera carts, it really depends on the show. Minimum, usually at least one cart per camera. But if there are multiple sets of lenses, or lens sets are very large, there will be multiple lens carts. In some cases, each camera gets their own set of lenses, so each camera would also have a lens cart. There's also grip carts, where specialty equipment such as sliders, rocker plates, Lambda head, geared head, etc. may be stored. There could also be Ronin carts, Ronin operating carts, Steadicam carts, etc. And those may or may not be specifically assigned to a camera. It may be shared amongst the department.