Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Camera Assistant

💰 $ - $

Film & VideoProductionCamera Department

🎯 Role Definition

The Camera Assistant (commonly hired as 1st Assistant Camera / Focus Puller or 2nd Assistant Camera / Clapperloader) supports the cinematographer and camera operator by preparing, maintaining and operating camera gear, managing media and metadata, and ensuring picture-critical accuracy on set. This role requires strong technical knowledge of digital cinema cameras (ARRI, RED, Sony, etc.), precise focus skills, meticulous media handling, and effective cross-department communication to deliver consistent, high-quality images under production schedules and safety protocols.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Camera Trainee / Camera Intern
  • Production Assistant (PA) with camera department interest
  • 2nd AC (for advancement into 1st AC roles)

Advancement To:

  • 1st Assistant Camera (Focus Puller)
  • Camera Operator
  • Camera Supervisor / Camera Department Head
  • Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) or Camera Rigger/Tech

Lateral Moves:

  • Grip / Rigging Technician (specializing in camera mounting and motion)
  • DIT / Digital Workflow Specialist
  • Post-production tools like colorist assistant or media manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assemble, test and configure camera packages (camera body, PL/E-mount or native lenses, matte box, follow focus, rails, baseplate, battery and video assist) tailored to the cinematographer’s shot list and production workflow.
  • Accurately pull and maintain focus during rehearsals and takes, measuring distances, marking positions and anticipating actor movement to achieve repeatable, razor-sharp focus for each shot.
  • Perform lens changes, mount and calibrate primes and zooms, adjust back-focus when required, and verify focal length, T-stops and flange focal distance for each lens used.
  • Prepare, label and load media (CFast, CFexpress, RED mags, XR Capture Drives, SSDs) and maintain strict chain-of-custody procedures; verify card formats, metadata, and recording settings prior to each take.
  • Generate and maintain camera reports and metadata logs (scene/take, camera settings, lens, filters, frame rates, shutter, ISO), ensuring accurate handoff to DIT and editorial for seamless post-production ingest.
  • Operate the clapper/slate with clear, consistent slating, documenting scene/take and timecode, and ensuring sync accuracy for editorial and sound departments.
  • Coordinate with DIT to verify codec, color space, LUT application, checksum creation, and secure media offload workflows to guarantee data integrity and backup.
  • Troubleshoot camera and accessory failures on-set (mechanical, electrical, sensor anomalies), perform basic repairs, swap components and escalate to rental house or camera technician when necessary.
  • Maintain and clean camera sensors, lenses, and optical surfaces using appropriate tools and techniques to prevent dust, fungus or damage to glass elements.
  • Set up and operate video assist monitors, configure frame guides and aspect ratios, and manage playback for director and DP review between takes.
  • Mount cameras on dollies, tripods, gimbals, cranes and remote heads; rig camera cars and specialty rigs in coordination with grips and rigging teams to maintain safety and shot precision.
  • Manage batteries and power distribution: charge cycles, labeling, hot-swapping and monitoring voltage to avoid unexpected power loss during takes.
  • Implement and enforce department safety procedures for camera mounts, cable runs, tethering and heavy equipment handling, participating in risk assessments for complex setups.
  • Maintain an inventory of camera department equipment, record usage, report damages and coordinate routine maintenance and service with rental houses or technical staff.
  • Prepare camera packages for transport and daily prep calls, ensuring all spare parts, tools, adaptors, and expendables are available and organized for shoot days.
  • Assist with framing, marks and actor stand-ins during rehearsals; mark performance positions on set for consistent blocking and repeatable camera moves.
  • Liaise with production, grip and electric departments to schedule camera set-ups, power needs, and rigging points; proactively communicate impact to shooting schedule.
  • Execute media backup and archival procedures (checksum verification, dual-disk backups) and hand over verified copies to DIT or production data managers.
  • Maintain professional communication with the cinematographer and camera operator to interpret shot intentions and make proactive technical recommendations (lenses, filters, stabilizers).
  • Train and supervise camera trainees, junior ACs and interns, delegating tasks and ensuring adherence to department standards and on-set etiquette.
  • Coordinate with the post-production team by ensuring metadata completeness, logging notes about special takes, and flagging any technical issues that may affect editorial or color grading.
  • Conduct camera tests, lens charts, and camera/lens matching sessions before principal photography to validate image quality, focus range and optical characteristics.
  • Monitor and configure camera settings for frame rate, shutter angle, ISO, white balance, look/LUTs and exposure controls to align with DP’s creative intent and post pipeline.
  • Provide on-set support for specialty shoots (underwater housings, high-speed, multi-camera rigs), ensuring compatibility of mounting hardware and camera settings for the required capture format.

Secondary Functions

  • Support equipment procurement, rental booking coordination and return scheduling; prepare rental inventories and damage notes for production accounting.
  • Assist production with budgeting input for camera-related line items (lenses, media, accessories, technicians) based on anticipated shoot demands.
  • Contribute to pre-production camera prep documentation including shot lists, lens charts, camera reports and media workflows for efficient shoot-day execution.
  • Help maintain departmental SOPs and equipment maintenance logs, recommending upgrades to support evolving camera and post-production technologies.
  • Collaborate with continuity and script supervisors to ensure visual continuity, noting lens choices, focal lengths and framing changes between setups.
  • Participate in safety briefings and rehearsals, advising on camera-specific hazards and mitigation strategies during complex stunts, vehicles, or aerial work.
  • Assist with media ingest and basic transcoding tasks when DIT resources are limited, following established production codec and naming conventions.
  • Represent the camera department in cross-department production meetings, communicating needs for space, power and scheduling to support complex camera setups.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency with digital cinema camera systems (ARRI Alexa family, RED DSMC/Monstro, RED V-Raptor, Sony Venice/FX series, Canon Cinema) and their operational menus.
  • Expert focus-pulling skills with experience using follow focus systems (mechanical, wireless), marking techniques, and anticipating subject movement for repeatable pull accuracy.
  • Strong media handling and data management: formatting, checksum verification, offload protocols, card labelling, and secure media chain-of-custody.
  • Lens knowledge: primes and zooms, optical characteristics, PL/E-mount systems, lens support, back-focus adjustment and lens matching.
  • Solid understanding of camera exposure fundamentals (ISO, shutter angle, ND filters, T-stops), on-set monitoring tools (false color, waveform, histogram).
  • Experience with matte boxes, filters (ND, variable, polarizers), support rigs, rails and quick-release systems used in fast-paced production environments.
  • Competence with video assist and monitoring setups (SDI/HDMI routing, scopes, LUT ingestion) to facilitate director and DP reviews.
  • Basic troubleshooting and maintenance skills: sensor cleaning, lens repair coordination, accessory diagnostics and replacement procedures.
  • Knowledge of industry codecs, color spaces and LUT workflows; ability to coordinate with DIT on LUT application and post-ready capture settings.
  • Ability to rig cameras to dollies, cranes, gimbals, remote heads and vehicles, and collaborate safely with grips and rigging crews.
  • Familiarity with timecode, sync systems and multi-camera setups to ensure consistent timing and editorial alignment.
  • Proficiency in creating and maintaining accurate camera reports and metadata logs that feed editorial and post-production pipelines.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail and discipline for precise marking, paperwork and metadata integrity.
  • Clear, concise communication skills for efficient cross-department collaboration (DP, operator, DIT, grip, electric, production).
  • Calm under pressure with strong problem-solving and improvisational ability when technical issues arise mid-shoot.
  • Excellent time management and the ability to prioritize in a rapidly changing production schedule.
  • Physical stamina and manual dexterity for handling heavy equipment, long days and frequent on-location moves.
  • Professionalism, reliability and punctuality with a team-first attitude and willingness to mentor junior crew members.
  • Adaptability to diverse production environments, including studio, location, night shoots and adverse weather conditions.
  • Good spatial awareness and anticipatory planning to maintain safety and shot consistency during complex moves.
  • Strong organizational skills for inventory control, equipment prep lists and media chain-of-custody processes.
  • Commitment to confidentiality and protecting pre-release footage and sensitive production material.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent with demonstrable on-set experience or technical training in camera work.

Preferred Education:

  • Certificate, Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Film Production, Cinematography, Media Arts or related technical program.
  • Professional workshops, manufacturer training (ARRI, RED, Sony) or accredited camera focus/maintenance courses.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Film & Television Production
  • Cinematography / Camera Technology
  • Digital Media / Production Technology
  • Photography / Imaging Sciences
  • Audio-Visual Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–5 years (entry-level 2nd AC: 0–2 years; experienced 1st AC / focus puller: 2–5+ years depending on production scale)

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years of consistent camera department experience on short films, commercials, TV or feature productions for 2nd AC.
  • 3–7 years or more for 1st AC/focus puller roles with proven credits on multi-camera shoots, high-end commercials, episodic television or features.
  • Demonstrated experience with major digital cinema cameras, media workflows, and collaborative set practices; strong reel or references showing on-set performance preferred.
  • Availability to travel and work irregular hours, plus valid driver’s license and ability to lift and rig equipment safely.
Explore More Careers