Tools a Camera Assistant Should Always Have in Their Kit

[@filmmakers_academy]

Heads up to everyone, the gear and all mentioned tools are included in the article here: www.hurlbutacademy.com/courses/hurlbut-academy-sampler/lessons/camera-techniques-2/topic/what-to-buy-for-your-ac-kit-camera-assistant-series-pt-1/ You just create a very quick and free account and have access to over 30 lessons and articles on our site.

[@sycamorematt]

THANK YOU. The little items I was OK with but I love the murse itself. I have a hip bag and I never seem to wear it on my hip as it always gets in the way. This looks a LOT more functional.

[@erikdavis9064]

I still haven't found a link to the murse on Amazon.

[@sycamorematt]

@@erikdavis9064 Are you logged in to the Academy site? If you’re not it won’t show the full list.

[@Leemus]

Which pelican case do you use?

[@cartermason3275]

instablaster

[@ImaginationFilmProductions]

When the AC looks like he's 27 and says he's been working with a specific director of photography for 20 years lol Great information here.

[@sn00dmasterK]

Derek's 1st grade class went on a field trip to the Hurlbut studio in 2000 and he didn't leave

[@nh0522]

hes like 35-40 years old im not sure what youre talking about

[@eb9450]

Sounds like you just discovered that, generally speaking, Black people don’t show the signs of aging on their face the same way it does for White people. He is not 27 😂

[@cinemartini]

I liked you label on your screwdriver “NOT YOURS”, I've been writing that on my things for years!

[@OkeechobeeFlorida]

Super organized and professional. Would take this guy on a production with me any day.

[@anka042]

Gaffer next!

[@filmmakers_academy]

www.hurlbutacademy.com/courses/how-to-be-a-set-electric/ We don't have that course as part of our free sampler's but it is on sale if you want to check it out!

[@ItsAndrewM]

is there a second video that he shows what's in the rest of the kit?

[@BrettHoustonTube]

Thanks for the Murse tour. Yeah I never go anywhere without bailing wire.

[@BrettHoustonTube]

MacGyver bag is what we called em back in the day. I'm surprised you didn't have paperclips? You can take over the world with a paperclip... If ya know what you're doing... Operation Paperclip is one fine example...

[@francescoronchi8967]

2nd part? Really appreciated this lesson

[@EugeneMaynard]

👍🏾🙏🏾 That abrupt end with faded in music felt like an Oscar speech that went on a little too long!😂

[@junyuanlee1349]

What’s the specific name of the purse? Can’t seem to find it on Amazon :(

[@gertschn69]

I liked that you pulled out your tape measures first! Not your personal focus monitor! Nowadays you get weird looks if you use tape measures! Experienced it myself! Sometimes it seems to me nobody has has a clue what pulling focus is all about! I'd like to see how some 1stACs would do without monitor/wireless video/wireless focus/distance device! And operators/dops checking focus! And by the way - awesome channel!

[@aliensoup2420]

I used a steel tape from the camera position constantly. I had another AC question me about it, and I thought, "yeah, like you are accurate to an inch at 6 or 8 feet". This was before the digital era.

[@aliensoup2420]

Its great to have every conceivable tool at your disposal, but in time I learned to recognize the experienced AC's from the newbies (not saying you are one of the inexperienced). I once met an experienced 2nd AC on a set who worked for big time DP's, and he carried nothing but a grease pencil, a scissors, and his slate marker while on set. On the flip side I saw plenty of new AC's that carried every possible tool around their belts looking like a walking hardware store. By the time I learned to relax, I carried my lens and data charts in my shirt pocket, and a small ditty bag on my belt with a pen, slate marker, flashlight, and scissors. I left everything else in my front box or ditty-bag off set. It was always depressing when my front box got tipped over.

[@maxsdad538]

Sounds like you haven't evolved as the industry's evolved.

[@aliensoup2420]

@@maxsdad538 That’s because I stopped working as an AC in the mid ‘90’s.

[@cgshen7183]

I'm about to become a walking hardware store hahahah

[@MrMejia187]

What sort of things should I bring on a first time as a 2nd AC? Should I even bring anything?

[@PaV4100]

Looking for the stubby, unfortunately I found out it is from a now discontinued line of craftsman screwdrivers that aren't sold outside the US either way. The T handle screwdriver you can see on the top shot is from Facom Tools, a european company that I was informed doesn't have any stock of the item and might have actually discontinued it. Bummer! In any case any stubby with a tip above 8mm I guess would do. If anybody knows an alternative to the craftsman in terms of shape would be a lifesaver (I know you can get them on ebay)

[@JulesFredericNerestant]

This was WHOLLY awesome.

[@karlwalsh3034]

Cannot wait for part 2!

[@aldoushuxley6255]

spoken like a true AC- dislike for each companies tiny adjusted screws and pieces , just making life more complicated for all involved

[@tvlmedia314]

Will the laser tape measure device damage camera sensors?

[@TheAustrianToast]

Yeah, never point a laser at a camera sensor

[@laladuina2045]

Or anyones eyes/faces. Point at ground first then raise up.

[@305kubrick]

Is there a notable improvement between using a measuring tape for focus or just using a monitor? How in the world is using an actual monitor less accurate??

[@whateverjustposting]

its just kind of a nice way to keep yourself honest. i get distance marks as well as pull from the monitor. if you are able to kind of get a general idea of different landmarks within a certain scene (ie how far the table is, the door way, the table where a prop they are going to interact with, then you dont necessarily need to get specific marks since the actors usually dont hit their marks anyway). just makes it easier for you to anticipate and not totally rely on your eyes which can sometimes trick you. some folks who have been doing it since the film age before video taps will still swear by pulling from marks, which fair enough. but those guys usually have some sort of rangefinder hanging off the side of the camera as well, so theyre relying on a "crutch" as well just a different kind. theyre also usually working on much larger productions with the time and budget to allow for careful rehearsal with experienced actors that will actually hit marks. sometimes during strictly rehearsed moves where im able to get marks both for talent as well as the operator ill just watch the scene so i can time myself to the blocking as opposed to watching my monitor. if either the talent or op isnt hitting their marks then its not on me at that point, its a dance and as long as im hitting my marks then no amount of watching the monitor and trying to improvise is going to save you. youd also be surprised how often shots even in massive blockbuster movies have focus buzzing going on. sometimes after a rough day ill feel down about myself because of how many times i had to ask for another take, and then ill watch a movie or tv show and be comforted by the fact that even focus pullers for massive asc dps miss focus sometimes and they still get work.

[@I_am_the_one101]

what glove are you wearing?

[@MaxxwellTheLegend]

I don't get what "bailing wire" is supposed to be or what he exactly does with it. To act as a safety it seems way too weak? Can somebody enlighten me?

[@maxsdad538]

"Bailing wire" derives from the reuse of the wire used to secure bales of hay. The correct term is "safety wire", and it's used(in automotive applications) to prevent nuts from working lose from bolts, or to provide a "backup" to hold lightweight items that may come lose and fall (usually on someone's head). It's not to be confused with a "Kupo" type safety wire, which is actually a safety cable for heavier items.

[@RyanAnthonyDigitalMedia]

Would’ve been nice if you linked the gear in the description

[@filmmakers_academy]

The gear is listed here in the article: www.hurlbutacademy.com/courses/hurlbut-academy-sampler/lessons/camera-techniques-2/topic/what-to-buy-for-your-ac-kit-camera-assistant-series-pt-1/

[@305kubrick]

@@filmmakers_academy the link is dead.

[@hubertauger3211]

@@filmmakers_academyAs mentioned before, the link is dead. Would it be possible to come up with a new one?

[@blushmatter]

thank you for this!

[@fumd8888]

What brand is the tool bag?

[@miguelumanzor4623]

McWire Nicholas

[@tylerfukuda]

Wheres pt.2?

[@sinvisitascine]

Beautifullll !

[@jorgwohlfromm9189]

Hey, great video, thank you! I cannot find your murse on Amazon... have you any suggestions? Maybe the brand? Thanks again! J

[@filmmakers_academy]

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EKMVH2?ie=UTF8&tag=hurlbvisua0e-20&camp=1789&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B004EKMVH2

[@audreyskateinfinite9068]

The laser measuring tool work outside in the sun?

[@laladuina2045]

Yes.

[@whateverjustposting]

depends on how nice of a laser you get. i have the lowest end one and it shits out past like 5 or 10 feet on bright sunny days. definitely need to bite the bullet and get a nicer one cuz i rely on it so much. but the one he shows in the video works really well in bright sunlight

[@mariusrempe2791]

What Pelicase is it?

[@MrAndrewClaycomb]

It looks like a 1510

[@iComplainer]

Why the green on the thumbnail? It's not even a uniform stroke. Seems stronger w/o it

[@filmmakers_academy]

I don't know, I felt like doing something different....

[@iComplainer]

Now I feel like an a hole. I like your channel very much lol.

[@Weeqat]

@@filmmakers_academy well it's nice and doing things differently is the only way up 👍

[@filmmakers_academy]

@@iComplainer Haha no worries! We appreciate it and always want to keep things fresh.

[@Elazarko]

Awesome video! How much money can a beginner AC, DP make? How much do I charge? Thank you.

[@OmarCordy]

BRILLIANT!

[@peterevans8194]

Good video, but I wish he would present each tool to camera and keep them steady so we can get a good look...He throws things about like a juggler on coke!

[@hzubovi1]

Great video, thank you very much! The editor messed up a little at 9:14

[@laurabower6395]

"Tools a camera assistant should always have in **their** kit." Let's all try to make the industry more inclusive.

[@filmmakers_academy]

You are so completely right, we just changed the title and didn't even realize it said "his." We are always pushing to have more representation for women and especially women of color. We have featured some incredible women on our social media channels and blog posts. We encourage you to check those out if you're interested!

[@laurabower6395]

@@filmmakers_academy ​ Glad to hear! Seems to be an unconscious thing that people are slowly starting to adjust to. One of the top 2nd AC videos on youtube solely uses "him" pronouns when referring to hypothetical crew members. Thanks for making the change!

[@filmmakers_academy]

@@laurabower6395 That is really disappointing to hear, we can only hope that his changes and more people, like yourself, call it out and bring awareness!

[@maxsdad538]

Are you as concerned about the job as you are gender?

[@laurabower6395]

@@maxsdad538 It's great being able to care about many different things at the same time. I hope you understand that when the industry you work in it is centred around your gender, you don't have to be concerned about these kinds of things. But when language excludes you, you notice. It has an unconscious affect of telling people who belongs and who does not. "Camera man", "sound guy", "best boy grip", etc. Language matters. The more we neutralize the terminology, the more people feel welcome working in the industry.

[@liliming5591]

this guy seems low key upset about being a camera assistant :')

[@pkendall99]

6:37 you mean Metric and Standard.. (Standard is American)

[@_tactownpro8817]

i see that pick too. BLACK MAN!!