Divide and Conquer
Crew sheets – this is where you will find all the info you need for setup. Hopefiully all the cameraman will have seen this and know where to put what and what to put where. Here’s the info you might expect to see on the crew sheet that is probably taped to the side of the remote truck;
- Crew names and positions
- Camera positions
- Camera configurations (lens, specific camers if any)
- Production names – producer, director, AD
- Production facs time
- Additional equipment ordered
- Critical contact info – origination TV station, production company, etc
- Show time
- Pre tape time
- Venue contact info
- EIC info
Now it’s time to go to work; running the cables and setting cameras up. Often times, there is enough people to divide and conquer – some will set cameras and others will run cables……this is the glamour part of the job. Somehow, someone on the crew will make a plan of who does what. The bottom lines is, all cameras have to be setup and all cameras have to have cables run to them.
Let’s start with cables. Some venues are pre-wired for cameras, video and audio. If that’s the case, then you might only need an extension. If so, bonus.
Remember this too – the cables generally have two separate ends > a male connector end and a female connector end. In almost all cases, the the female end will stay at the camera and the male end will run towards the truck. There are a few excepions to this guidline, but for now it will work for us.
It’s always a good idea to test or ring out the cables before you spend a lot of time and resources stretching the cables out, flying them up and over obsticles, etc. A simple continuity check will do and someone who know how will do it. Don’t just stand there watching, get the next cable ready. The other thing you can help with is marking the cables with a sharpie and some paper tape. Make sure to number them the same at both ends.
After the cables have been rung out and marked, it’s time to start stringing them out. Follow the example or direction of the crew person you are working with. A few things to remember; it’s OK to wear gloves – or not. Your hands will get dirty and there are occasions where sharp pieces of cable sheething can jab you pretty good.
Follow the other canera folks and hopefully they will let you know where you can be the best help. One good spot is at the bundle of cable, assisting as the cable is pulled from the pile.
Let me mention something here again – if there is anything you need to know for your first day is that your over/under cabling wrapping skills will be very important now.
Watch, help and learn. It’s not a science.
Question? Feel free to ask………ck