Camera prep technician

KSBs

Knowledge

K1: The role of camera preparation in the production process and the impact of camera preparation on production schedules and budgets. Back to Duty

K2: The workflow for camera preparation including the roles, responsibilities and dependencies of everyone involved and the impact of own punctuality and attendance on the organisation and productivity of self and others. Back to Duty

K3: The differences between film and digital cameras and the features and capabilities of industry standard cameras and how they are useful or limited in different production genres, applications and contexts. Back to Duty

K4: The functional role and compatibility of camera accessories, lenses and other peripherals and the features, capabilities and limitations of general and specialist lenses including parfocal, anamorphic, spherical, coated, uncoated, prime and zoom. Back to Duty

K5: The range, capabilities and role of timecode and its role in production. Back to Duty

K6: The capabilities, limitations and uses of different battery types, maintenance and charge logs and current related legislation including that related to the transportation of industry standard batteries. Back to Duty

K7: Digital formats, compression codecs and workflow and their use in appraising standards including those for delivery specifications, shooting specifications and signal output standards. Back to Duty

K8: The features, role, capabilities and limitations of currently used grip, sound and lighting equipment, including radio channels for wireless mics and video, and their impact on camera preparation and use. Back to Duty

K9: The purpose and format of camera kit list specifications, the terminology and industry colloquialisms used and how long it takes to prepare typical kit lists. Back to Duty

K10: How to technically compile equipment in order to meet specification for both equipment kit lists and to meet specification for storage after use. This includes identifying when it is appropriate to replace and when it is appropriate to substitute equipment. Back to Duty

K11: Company procedures, processes, protocols and record keeping requirements for checking availability, logging equipment in and out, preparing kit, making changes and substitutions to specified kit, amending kit lists and dispatching and returning kit including resolving issues with resource availability, authorisation processes for amendments to kit lists and GDPR requirements. Back to Duty

K12: The importance of camera and lens testing, why and when they should be carried out, the facilities and conditions required, appropriate methods of testing different types and configurations of equipment and the remit and boundaries of own role in supporting camera crew with camera tests. Back to Duty

K13: The purpose of quality assessments on lenses, filters, LCD and other screens and delicate optical/visual surfaces and the process for carrying out quality assessments of optical elements. Back to Duty

K14: The importance of regular maintenance of equipment, types of basic first-line maintenance and repairs that fall within own expertise and responsibility and how to carry them out. Back to Duty

K15: How all items of camera equipment should be protected and packaged to avoid damage during transit. Back to Duty

K16: Relevant health and safety legislation and company-specific policies to ensure environmental sustainability and a safe working environment for themselves, colleagues and clients, including manual handling. Back to Duty

K17: The importance of, and company protocols for, accurate, effective and timely communication with own team, other departments and clients including where, when and how to seek clarification on kit list specification or instruction and where when and how to offer suggestions and alternative solutions. Back to Duty

K18: The advantages and disadvantages of communicating in person, by phone and by email and different communication techniques that might be applicable for each. Back to Duty

K19: Typical difficulties that may arise during equipment use and how to combat them to pre-empt complications on a shoot. Back to Duty

K20: The protocols for, and differences of, working on location or in a studio as opposed to working in the kit room, camera floor or warehouse. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Analyse and interpret kit lists to identify equipment and configuration requirements, identifying incompatibilities and cameras, accessories, lenses and other peripherals that do not meet requirements. Make changes and substitutions to cameras, accessories, lenses and other peripherals specified in kit lists in line with company procedures including as requested by crew when possible. Back to Duty

S2: Plan and prioritise own camera preparation activities in order to meet required timescales and quality requirements. Back to Duty

S3: Select camera accessories, general and specialist lenses and other peripherals that are compatible and meet kit list specifications. Lenses might include parfocal, anamorphic, spherical, coated, uncoated, prime and zoom. Back to Duty

S4: Configure cameras, accessories, lenses and other peripherals during the prep stage so they are complete and shoot-ready, taking account of the requirements of any related grip, sound or lighting equipment and removing any camera accessories that are not relevant or required to meet production requirements. Back to Duty

S5: Provide advice and recommendations about alternative compatible peripherals which meet or benefit kit list specifications. Back to Duty

S6: Communicate work progress to managers, colleagues and clients as appropriate and alert appropriate people at appropriate times about issues which may affect the job preparation, specification or quality. Back to Duty

S7: Give advice about the capabilities or compatibility of cameras, accessories, lenses and other peripherals using language that promotes understanding. Back to Duty

S8: Test cameras, accessories, lenses and other peripherals to ensure they work in the configuration specified and for which they are intended to work. Back to Duty

S9: Identify damage and imperfections on lenses and other optical elements and record and log them as per company procedures. Back to Duty

S10: Support camera crew during camera tests either in camera testing facilities in warehousing environments or on filming locations. Back to Duty

S11: Assist clients on ways to resolve operational difficulties with camera equipment during use. Back to Duty

S12: Carry out first-line maintenance and other checks to identify required repairs and maintenance to cameras, accessories, lenses and other peripherals. Back to Duty

S13: Maintain accurate records of equipment dispatch and return and amendments, changes and substitutions made to kit lists as per company procedures. Back to Duty

S14: Hand equipment over to, and accept equipment from clients, couriers and drivers in line with logistics procedures and processes. Back to Duty

S15: Return equipment to the specification it should be stored in after use and remove and store cameras, accessories, lenses and other peripherals in line with company requirements. Back to Duty

S16: Comply with company policies and practices for health and safety, security and protection of equipment and to make environmentally friendly choices: identifying, mitigating and reporting any incidents or risks to the appropriate person. Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Works with a high level of sustained concentration and attention to detail, producing accurate work which meets quality specifications within agreed deadlines. Back to Duty

B2: Works as part of a team, offering and accepting support from colleagues so that work deadlines are met. Back to Duty

B3: Applies an appreciation of the value of the equipment to their work, using appropriate handling and packaging techniques to maintain the safety and security of equipment. Back to Duty

B4: Works safely to ensure a safe working environment for themselves and others in the workplace in line with health and safety requirements at all times. Back to Duty

B5: Thinks creatively and logically to solve technical issues, identifying incompatibilities and alternatives that benefit and improve on given kit list specifications. Back to Duty

B6: Maintains a key interest in the equipment and technology of the industry, identifying new and emerging innovations and developments. Back to Duty