DIT / camera assistant tools

[arrimaniac]

Hi all,

I'm working as a second assistant camera most of the time with film. But now more and more I have to concentrate to work with the RED One as well.

I have most of the standard assistant equipment you need to work with film, but now I am asking myself which tools should I have with me to work with the RED One as a DIT or as a second assistant camera?

What do you think or what would you recommend?

So far I have my MacBook Pro with all the RED software:
- RedCine
- RedAlert
- Redrushes

and the R3D Data Manager

What else should I have with me?
I'm talking about everything from cables to software, etc...


Thanks for your answers!


Regards,
Simon

 

[Raul Gonzo]

Hey Simon- every shoot of a 2nd varies a little. What is the job description you have been given? Are you going to be data wrangling or providing dailies, etc.?

 

[XiaoSu Han]

clipfinder!

 

[Zakaree Sandberg]

real name on the red user board.

cart
raid storage system
color correct monitor

 

[Simon Sturzenegger]

Hey Simon- every shoot of a 2nd varies a little. What is the job description you have been given? Are you going to be data wrangling or providing dailies, etc.?

I would say if I would work on a RED shooting I would be there mostly as a data wrangler, yes.

 

[Alex Carr]

You might find yourself 2nd AC / Loader for Red gigs. Where you would need a 2nd AC Kit, But also a Magliner / Laptop / Card readers for the Loading cart.

These are Basics, like:

-esata /expresscard reader
-esata CF readers
-FW800 CF readers
-UPS Battery Backup (Easily move around with uninterrupted power)
-Bag of Backup Cables
-Macbook Pro 15" (doesn't matter, must have Intel Chip and Express card slot)

Another suggestion is upgrading the Laptop Hard drive to a Solid State. Its more rugged, uses less power, creates less heat, Laptop becomes screaming fast, less crashes, Fast boot up,
-disadvantage: price and small GB size. I went with a 64GB and couldn't be happier.


If you are going to be a DIT and focusing on Color and being more of a DP's Assistant,

You would need a bigger investment:

Bigger UPS
Bigger Cart
MacPro 8 Core
RAID Card
External RAID
BlackMgic or Kona
Calibrated HD/SDi Monitor / Waveform
24"or 30" Apple Cinema display

...and the list goes on

 

[Raul Gonzo]

Then yes, clipfinder as mentioned above is another great tool.
Having a UPS system or some sort of battery back-up power/surge protector is essential, you probably want at least 3 different HDDs to back up to (if everything fits on one)- don't be cheap on these- get good ones. In most cases, bill the client for them, since they may become dedicated to their project anyway. Always have extra of anything you can- firewires, CF readers, power supplies, I even bring a back up laptop.
A cart to put your stuff on and chair.
That's all I can think of right now... anyone care to add?

 

[Simon Sturzenegger]

Thanks for the suggestions!

There is quite a lot of stuff I thought I'm going to need

I just downloaded Clipfinder and looked at it. Is this software going to replace a software from RED or should I use it next to REDalert, REDcine, etc...

For backups R3D Data Manager looks quite good!

 

[Raul Gonzo]

Clipfinder is great after you figure out what look you want in RA!- you can then save you look and apply it to multiple files at once. Also great to make quick dailies of multiple files.

 

[Simon Sturzenegger]

Clipfinder is great after you figure out what look you want in RA!- you can then save you look and apply it to multiple files at once. Also great to make quick dailies of multiple files.

Thanks for explaining Raul!

 

[Raffi Kryszek]

Don't forget an R2E LEMO to eSATA cable along with an eSATA express card for faster transfers

 

[David Doko]

Simon,
If you're the 2nd on a shoot, and even as just a digital loader, a lot of that stuff is what production should provide, not You. You should be there to prep the gear of course, load any software you need on the provided laptop, know how to use all of it. Whether it's Film or Digital, as an AC you are hired for your skills, and your relationship to the DP or 1st AC most likely, right? If you do bring a lot of your own purchased gear, you mention it to the line producer and perhaps get a kit fee thrown in.

If you're a DIT on a shoot - the rules are different I think. It's a gray area what you should bring or not bring on in that case and I would suppose a lot depends on what is worked out with production as an extra fee or what is considered part of your service.

Have fun.

 

[Simon Sturzenegger]

Simon,
If you're the 2nd on a shoot, and even as just a digital loader, a lot of that stuff is what production should provide, not You. You should be there to prep the gear of course, load any software you need on the provided laptop, know how to use all of it. Whether it's Film or Digital, as an AC you are hired for your skills, and your relationship to the DP or 1st AC most likely, right? If you do bring a lot of your own purchased gear, you mention it to the line producer and perhaps get a kit fee thrown in.

If you're a DIT on a shoot - the rules are different I think. It's a gray area what you should bring or not bring on in that case and I would suppose a lot depends on what is worked out with production as an extra fee or what is considered part of your service.

Have fun.

Hey David!

You're absolutely right, that production SHOULD provide the stuff I need... But the reality is, that (at least here) there are still many productions that used to shoot on film before and now that they shoot with the RED, they have no idea what they actually need.

I also met some assistants that didn't have the proper stuff. I just want to make sure I have the stuff I need, in case the production is not going to provide me with the things.
Also for making a good impression. I would like to look like a professional and sure also be one

Recently an assistant came with his MacBook Pro to assist for a shoot with the RED. During the test he came to us for asking for a power cable for his Mac Book Pro!!
That's an example for a situation I would say you have to be prepared for...

Cheers,
Simon