ABSTRACT
The number of members in the film camera department depends on the kind of film being shot. Big-budget feature films usually have a larger crew than a low-budget film, TV commercial, or music video. It also depends on whether the production is union or non-union. In the United States the typical camera department usually consists of the following crew members:
Director of Photography (D.P.)
Camera Operator
First Assistant Cameraman (1st A.C.) (Focus Puller)
Second Assistant Cameraman (2nd A.C.) (Clapper/Loader)
Loader (optional position on larger multicamera productions)
This list is based on a union, big-budget feature film and includes only the basic crew positions. All of the following lists of camera department personnel responsibilities are based on a union, big-budget feature film. Each job is different, so not all of these jobs will be done on every show. Some of the similarities or differences between union and non-union work are discussed in Chapter 7.
