Working as a Camera Crew
Building a career on Canadian camera crews: how productions and the camera department are organized, each camera role, set protocol, the 1st AC and 2nd AC crafts, data management, IATSE Locals 667 and 669, AQTIS 514 IATSE and NABET 700-M, rates, overtime, meal and turnaround penalties, kit rentals, deal memos, worker status and GST/HST invoices, getting work, freelance taxes, CPP, insurance and incorporation, health and safety, and a first-year career plan.
CINE-420 Year 4 3 credits 12 lessons · 5 h 23 min
Offered by HSM University · Cinematography
This is the Canadian version of this course. See the American version.
What you'll learn
- Describe how scripted productions are organized and where the camera, grip and electric departments fit, including how decisions and money flow
- Explain the duties and boundaries of each camera department role, from DP and operator to 1st AC, 2nd AC, DIT, data, loader, trainee and specialty operators
- Follow standard set protocol, calls, radio etiquette and professional habits in the camera department
- Explain the 1st AC's craft at an awareness level, including camera builds, lens changes, focus marks and depth of field calculations
- Slate, keep camera reports and protect footage with verified copies, labelling and a clear chain of custody
- Compare camera unions and guilds in Canada or the US, their joining requirements, fees and benefits, and the role of professional societies
- Calculate pay with guarantees, overtime, meal penalties, turnaround penalties and kit rentals under illustrative agreement terms
- Read and negotiate deal memos, complete start paperwork, distinguish employees from contractors and write invoices with the correct taxes
- Build a résumé, reel and network, choose entry routes and manage bookings and holds
- Manage freelance records, taxes, insurance, equipment purchases and incorporation or loan-out decisions with professional advice
- Protect health and safety over a camera career, including fatigue, lifting, hearing, mental health and safety rights
- Prepare a first-year career plan with goals, income and cost estimates, a cash-flow forecast and a risk register
Course content
12 lessons · 5 h 23 min total · final exam
- 1 The camera department and how productions are structured 27 min · quiz
- 2 Roles in the camera department 27 min · quiz
- 3 Set protocol and etiquette for the camera department 27 min · quiz
- 4 The first assistant camera's craft 27 min · quiz
- 5 The second assistant camera and data management 27 min · quiz
- 6 Unions and guilds for camera crews in Canada 26 min · quiz
- 7 Agreements, rates and working conditions 30 min · quiz
- 8 Deal memos, contracts and invoices 25 min · quiz
- 9 Getting work: reels, résumés, networking and entry routes 26 min · quiz
- 10 The freelance business: taxes, insurance, equipment and incorporation 27 min · quiz
- 11 Health, safety and sustainability of a camera career 26 min · quiz
- 12 Capstone: a career plan and first-year budget 28 min · quiz
- E Final exam 20 questions
Requirements
Recommended background. You can start any course at any time.
Description
Building a career on Canadian camera crews: how productions and the camera department are organized, each camera role, set protocol, the 1st AC and 2nd AC crafts, data management, IATSE Locals 667 and 669, AQTIS 514 IATSE and NABET 700-M, rates, overtime, meal and turnaround penalties, kit rentals, deal memos, worker status and GST/HST invoices, getting work, freelance taxes, CPP, insurance and incorporation, health and safety, and a first-year career plan.
Part of the Film & Photography stream, typically taken in year 4.