Need advice for an AC job

[JonK]

Hey, I'm about to AC a RED shoot for the first time. I've researched the camera fairly well and have some hands on experience "playing" with one. Any advice on how ACing for RED differs from film?

Also, how can I best prepare my AC kit to work with a digital camera like RED? We're still using 35 lenses so I'll have Lens paper, brushes, and solvent. Tape, and measuring tape, I was thinking some canned air, as well as a squeeze ball blower. Anything non standard for a RED shoot? Thanks

 

[Ryan Sims]

You might need to clean the "Sensor"/OLP Filter, but don't use Lens paper, brushes, and solvent on it. If your changing lens often, dust could get in the camera and settle on the "Sensor". It's kind of like checking the gate on a film camera. I'm not sure what people recommend right now for this. Just search REDUSER for it.

Hope your not having to do the data workflow. Just learn how to build out the camera with all the kit supplied.

Use some type of monitor to focus with (RED LCD or better). Just going off lens markings and tape will not be accurate enough for the RED on critical focus moves.

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

The words "Visible Dust" are in your future:

http://www.visibledust.com/

http://www.filmtools.com/visibledust.html

My preference is to start with a blower before even thinking about anything that might touch the sensor.

Yes, Visible Dust's expensive blower is overkill- its also worth it. They explain it well enough on their site. You would likely be fine with a normal cheap blower... but its worth the insurance.

The sensor isn't as delicate as some might lead you to believe, but its more critical. Mess up the sensor and it must be replaced at about 1/3rd the cameras cost and a long wait.

I also recommend changing the lenses with the camera tilted down slightly. This reduces the chance that something will fall onto the sensor.

Most of the hardware you mount to the camera is just the same as you'd find in film. Most things just work as you are used to.

Almost everything electronic you should be handling in conjunction with the DIT.

If you don't have a DIT, or at least a digital loader, then you need to get involved fast in getting workflow sorted out.

I usually ask my 1AC to know the camera as well as the DIT does. I don't expect them to work as a DIT, or vice versa, but they should definitely support each other.

Don't forget to check out what is in the accessory package! If you have a ASLGear or Element Technica break out box or other additions, they may alter what you expect, usually for the better, but its of course best to know wha to expect- so don't forget to check what accessories are in your package.

Also monitoring- be very aware of what monitoring is available for you, the operator and the director/DP/video village. There are a lot of options now, and they can trip you up if you aren't familiar.

Best of luck prepping!

 

[Martin Weiss]

I'd suggest getting Noah's RED book. Also, go to red.com/support and download the op. manual. Jay has a good DVD explaining the RED. vis-a-vis is a great app for your iPhone to quickly grasp the menu structure of the RED.

Find someone with a subscription to American Cinematographer. A few numbers back there was a long article listing the pitfalls around the RED fron an AC's standpoint. (Don't worry, the article is listing the worst-case scenarios. Similar problems/bugs can be found with pretty much any camera, digital or film.)

Good luck.

 

[JonK]

Yeah, I have the book and DVD. I've also read the article and looked through the forums pretty extensively so I feel proficient with the camera. Just wondering if I should adapt my camera bag to have anything particularly different in it than a standard film shoot?

Thanks for the focus advice Ryan. We'll have a Red LCD and I'll be sure to use it. I'm from a film background so I usually trust measurements more than other methods, but I'll take what you said into consideration, and double check everything on monitors.