In general, the clapper loaders’ job is to ensure the camera department is running as smoothly as possible. Different countries and sets may have differences, but generally the procedure goes as such:A good AC gets the board in a way that minimizes the number of corrections done by the camera operators and focus pullers. "@ ruffryder - You're welcome. Film and TV productions generally have a prep period of a few days before shooting begins. Clapper Loader. I am responsible for the rushes, which is the footage at the end of the shooting day. The Clapper Loader will work with the rest of the Camera Department, assist the Focus Puller, Camera Operator and Director of Photography. Again, most productions will have a dedicated downloader or data manager. Join. In this period, camera assistants unpack, test and prepare all the gear for the shoot ahead. Following Alien, Biddle returned to working as a cinematographer on advertisements. - Well be puzzled no longer; Read on and all will be explained.A "Key Grip" is the guy who is in charge of the Grips - The Numero Uno of the Grip world. Too loud and you’ve got a startled actor and an angry director, too quiet and the microphones do not pick it up and you have to clap again. I studied Film and Television Production at York St John University from 2013 to 2016. In certain cases when slating the beginning of a take is impractical, the clapperboard can be given at the end of the take. His prospective employer asked "Cell washer? It’s my responsibility to keep track of it all. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. A clapper loader is only as good as their tool kit. In a multi-camera production, the 2nd AC generally tends to the tasks related to his/her camera unit first. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Therefore, any reorganizing of equipment into on-set bags and cases is done at the shooting destination prep. It makes sense that I would want to get a good grip truck! A clapper loader or second assistant camera (2nd AC) is part of a film crew whose main functions are that of loading the raw film stock into camera magazines, operating the clapperboard (slate) at the beginning of each take, marking the actors as necessary, and maintaining all records and paperwork for the camera department. @Paradise7 - You're welcome. In a small, one camera production it is common for the DOP to be operating the camera personally. During this time he developed a number of new lighting techniques and worked on a number of famous campaigns. On a smaller set, the clapper loader might indeed need to do the actual loading and unloading of magazines. On bigger productions, the work of the 2nd assistant camera is sometimes supported by a camera department trainee or a 3rd assistant camera. Sometimes, if the ground is uneven, the dolly is mounted on a small track system (like a railway track), which will allow the camera to smoothly follow actors whilst they move (Hence "Tracking shot")It is said that the term "Grip" dates from the days of silent movies when cameras were Hand-cranked. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.A Follow-focus device. Clapper comes from operating the clapperboard (aka slate or just board ) at the beginning of each take to aid synchronization of sound and image in post-production. This requires concentration, attention to detail and great organizational skills. You don’t want to risk that. All names, trademarks and images are copyright their respective owners. On The Duellists (1977) he was working as a clapper loader, before advancing to the position of focus puller on Alien (1979). This video is unavailable. I just love strange job titles.I was familiar witth the first four jobs, but the Clapper loader and Focus Puller I never knew before.Thanks for this, gaizy. Further, you may be expected to keep an inventory of equipment, order film stock, clean magazines and secure equipment. and keep track of all the camera equipment coming in and out of the production.We could be using anything from cranes to drones. Have you ever watched the latest Blockbuster Film, and then whilst perusing the closing credits rolling up the screen at the end of the show, been amazed not only at the sheer numbers of personnel required to get the production onto the screen, but also by the sheer strangeness of some of the job titles? In very small productions, download can be handled by the second camera assistant. A "Dolly Grip" for example will specialise in Camera Dollies.