Every time I look at one of the cameras I use, I’m blown away by two things. First, the technology contained within that little box – and what it’s capable of – is truly amazing. The second comes in the form of a question: How the hell do my assistants figure that mess out?
I spent twelve years working as an AC during the film era. Back then, the camera was a reasonably simple device. Every one of them did the same thing in the exact same way and the accessories were universally interoperable. Clean and lubricate the movement, plug in a battery, mount the lens and a mag, thread the film through and off you went.
Needless to say, the AC’s job has grown exponentially, if only for the amount of time they spend keeping track of the cabling. As necessary as all of it may be, today’s young assistants will never know of the romance that has been lost in transition. We were so much closer to our equipment in the past. Filters, meters and the other accoutrements…they occupied a special place in all of our hearts. I actually developed an emotional attachment to the Panavision Gold II camera (serial #323) that I used for quite a few years. It was an old, familiar friend with whom I never experienced a bad moment. I’ve never remotely felt that way about any piece of digital gear!
I’m glad I came up when I did. Check out the photos below. Rat’s nests never held any interest for me back then. They hold even less now…
Gadget Creep! How much is actually needed to shoot a scene and how much is added by a/c’s who wish to impress with their collective prowess in managing the mess?
Yeah, sometimes there’s a little bit of that going on too…
My OCD is on fire! That stuff makes me nuts. I can’t go near the camera unless it’s tidy. Sorry, I know that is asking a lot these days. Cables over the lens barrel, wheels, or tiller may as well be vipers. Our studio is blessed to have two of the most insanely fastidious camera assistants humanity can produce. It’s like watching them wire a NASA satellite, a true work of art. Thank God for velcro…