Reddit reviews The Camera Assistant's Manual, Sixth Edition

I would recommend reading this book https://www.amazon.com/Camera-Assistants-Manual-David-Elkins/dp/0240818687

Here's how a typical set runs in my world on a digital shoot

A Cam 1st

• dpt head of camera, he/she talks with the dp to insure that they have all the tools necessary for the dp to accomplish their vision.
  
  
• works with the rental house to make sure they have all the necessary tools. Everything from clip ons for HH to Prestons packages.
  
  
• hires all camera crew besides operators. Usually a dp will hire the 1st and A & B ops, any additional operators are usually discussed with the 1st (day players, Steadicam ops, ect.)
  
  On set:
  
  
• pulls focus
  
• mounts lenses
  
• drops in filters
  
• maintains camera settings (though it is not uncommon for 2nds to make the adjustments to WB & iso)
  
• some will format media, some won't touch it. (I personally think they all should because we can all agree that the 1st would lace film when he would receive a fresh mag)
  
• Roll the camera
  
  A Cam 2nd
  
  
• slates the scene
  
• camera reports
  
• marks rehearsals
  
• maintains lenses & filters
  
• in charge of their cart
  
• hands off lenses to 1st
  
• hands off media to 1st
  
• has backups on hand (cables, batteries, media)
  
• takes all the "stupid " questions and delegates work so the 1st can worry about focus.
  
  Loader
  
  
• considered the best boy of camera department
  
• handles all paperwork (timecards, out sheets, data inventory reports, organizes camera reports, keeps all equipment lists from the rental house)
  
• arranges swaps with the rental house
  
• organizes the truck
  
• keep inventory of expendables
  
• keep inventory of media
  
• offloads media to backup drives / shuttle drives
  
• designated off set shit fixer and professional googler
  
  Digital Utility
  
  
• moves video village and dp/ dit cart
  
• maintains wireless video for 1sts and villages
  
• expert cable wrangler
  
• helps move carts and a general helping hand
  
• swaps batteries
  
• works with the loader to keep batts charged.
  
  Camera operator
  
  
• wiggle the stick
  
  Ultimately, it's a camera team and you should all work together to help make everything run smoothly.
  Despite pushing carts through mud and it raining for 6 hours and your cat just died and your girlfriend hasn't texted you back and your DP is strung out and North Korea is launching another nuke. Just remember to smile and that you could be working a desk job somewhere.
  
  TL;DR
  Ops op
  1st pulls
  2nd slates
  Loader loads
  Utility runs village

I'd just like to point out that I'm not a film maker in any way shape or form so it would be nice if somebody could verify what I'm about to say.

I've been watching a lot of videos by FilmmakerIQ.com on Vimeo and have learned a lot from them. Anyway, they have a list of recommended books that I haven't checked out yet but would like to. I'll just list them out here:

Painting With Light

Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need

The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style (Hollywood Standard: The Complete & Authoritative Guide to)

Set Lighting Technician's Handbook: Film Lighting Equipment, Practice, and Electrical Distribution

Master Shots: 100 Advanced Camera Techniques to Get an Expensive Look on Your Low-Budget Movie

Cinematography: Theory and Practice: Image Making for Cinematographers and Directors

The Camera Assistant's Manual

The Makeup Artist Handbook: Techniques for Film, Television, Photography, and Theatre

Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen: Making and Applying Prosthetics

Grammar of the Shot (Media Manuals)

Rebel without a Crew: Or How a 23-Year-Old Filmmaker With $7,000 Became a Hollywood Player

Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know

The Five C's of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques

I suppose this depends on where you are located, but some of that you've got right and some of that is just bad or disinformation.

As the 1st AC you are the right hand man of the camera operator more-so than the DP (unless of course they're one in the same). As a first, your primary duty is the well-being of the camera itself. Making sure that lens changes happen in timely fashion, making sure everything with the camera is functioning properly, and then pulling focus.

As a 2nd, your job is to assist the 1st AC with his tasks to make sure they happen quickly and efficiently. You're responsible for keeping inventory of items used by the camera department, taking all the necessary camera notes/turning in daily camera reports, as well as slating, placing marks for actor's and making sure batteries are always on charge.

As an AC you should never be touching lights, that's an entirely different department. Occasionally you'll be in charge of holding the camera, but more often than not if there is a dedicated dolly grip, they'll be the one in charge of taking the camera in between takes to relieve the camera operator and free you up to complete your tasks.

If this is an avenue you plan to explore moving forward, I'd strongly urge you to pick up this book and keep up with Evan Luzi's blog The Black & Blue.

Best of luck!

Definitely read "The 5 C's of Cinematography" before anything else. http://www.amazon.com/Five-Cs-Cinematography-Picture-Techniques/dp/187950541X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367884793&sr=1-1&keywords=5+c%27s+of+cinematography

I love "New Cinematographers" which has been a very inspiring book for me as it reminded me why I love working in the film industry at a time when I was contemplating quitting altogether. http://www.amazon.com/New-Cinematographers-Alex-Ballinger/dp/1856693341

The Eye is Quicker. http://www.amazon.com/Eye-Quicker-Editing-Making-Better/dp/0941188841/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367884818&sr=1-1&keywords=the+eye+is+quicker

Motion Picture and Video Lighting. http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Picture-Video-Lighting-Blain/dp/0240807634/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367884852&sr=1-4&keywords=grip+and+lighting

The Camera Assistant's Manual by David Elkins. http://www.amazon.com/Camera-Assistants-Manual-David-Elkins/dp/0240818687/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367884939&sr=1-1&keywords=camera+assistant

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Camera-Assistants-Manual-David-Elkins/dp/0240818687

Thank you for the suggestion! BTW, what do you mean by manipulation? Is that like the complexity? Like number of lights, unusual lenses (e.g. tilt shifts), filters etc.? Or is it a specific terminology.

I've just been making my way through the content from Aputure, Cooke Optics, Rocket Jump, Every Frame a Painting, on YouTube. In terms of books I've been reading this, this, this and this, and look forward to reading this and this.

Do you think there are any key books I am missing? I saw this book which might be more applicable to where I will likely find myself after I finish my course.

...and [buy Elkins' book] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0240818687/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0240818687&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) [Referral Link], if you don't already have it.