David E. Elkins, SOC

Publications



 

 

While preparing the camera assistant class at Columbia College-Hollywood, I discovered that there was no book available that dealt with the subject in any detail. There are many fine cinematography books that briefly discuss the job responsibilities of a 1st and 2nd AC, but none of them were very complete. And so I started to prepare notes based on the day-to-day responsibilities and tasks that I performed as an assistant cameraman. I spoke with many of my colleagues to get their input because I knew that I wouldn't remember everything. After showing my notes to one of the camera operators I was working with, he suggested that I get it published. Since there was no detailed book on the subject I decided that it was worth a try.

In May 1991, The Camera Assistant’s Manual was first published by Focal Press. It was intended to be a complete step-by-step guide for a beginning filmmaker to learn the jobs of a First and Second Assistant Cameraman. By the end of the 1991 it was one of the top ten best selling books for Focal Press. As a result, I was asked to write a book for their Focal Handbook series. In April 1993, Camera Terms and Concepts was published. It is a dictionary/glossary of camera related terminology and names of equipment.

After a few years and the success of The Camera Assistant's Manual, I felt that a new edition should be done to include any information left out of the first edition as well as new information. In June 1996 The Camera Assistant’s Manual - Second Edition was published. This was an expanded version of the first edition containing updated as well as new information. The first edition of this book was translated into Spanish in 1993 and is currently being used in the Spanish speaking countries of the world. In September 2004, the third edition of the book was translated into Japanese by the Japanese Society of Cinematographers.  In early 1999 Focal Press contacted me and asked me to write a third edition of "The Camera Assistant's Manual". This newly expanded book contained even more information not included in the first two editions.  the fourth edition was published in January 2005 and it contains much more information than the previous three editions including information on working in HD or Video. 

The fifth edition of the book was released in March 2009.  It contains much updated information on working in film, SD and HD video along with completely updated forms for the working assistant cameraman and much, much more. 

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my web site and if you have purchased or plan on purchasing any of my books, thank you for your support.



 

The Camera Assistant’s Manual
Fifth Edition

The Camera Assistant's Manual, Fifth Edition is a nuts and bolts guide offering beginning camera assistants and film students information on all aspects of this unique position within the film industry - from cinematography basics to interviewing for the job. Every film or video shoot calls for at least two camera assistants. Camera Assistants (or first and second ACs, as their known) have the important job of maintaining the camera, readying it for use, troubleshooting (such as knowing what to do when a camera drops into the ocean), and preparing it for transport.  This new edition features expanded sections on tips for the First And Second Assistant.  The Camera Assistant’s Manual teaches the complete workflow in easy-to-understand terms and does not assume prior knowledge.  It is a must-have on the set for camera assistants. Invaluable career advice rounds out the book.  Heavily illustrated and loaded with useful checklists, tables and sample forms, The Camera Assistant’s Manual, Fourth Edition is a must for every camera assistant’s ditty bag or tool kit.

Click here to go to the companion web site for The Camera Assistant's Manual 
CONTENTS: Introduction · Basics of Cinematography · The Camera Department · Second Camera Assistant · First Camera Assistant · Problems and Troubleshooting · Cameras · Before, During and After the Job · Appendix A: Film Stock · Appendix B: Equipment · Appendix C: Camera Department Checklists, Production Forms and Labels · Appendix D: Tools and Accessories · Appendix E: Tables and Formulas · Appendix F: Resources · Recommended Reading · Glossary


 



 

Fifth Edition Reviews from Amazon.com
 
 
David accomplishes his quest for the 5th Time., April 27, 2009
I've owned a copy of all four previous editions of "The Camera Assistant's Manual" and found that David has always had impeccable timing when releasing an update. The 5th Edition is no exception. In just the past 2-3 years we've seen a remarkable shift in the amount of work "Filmless Cameras" have acquired. With this shift from film to digital, fast paced technological changes and advancements have bombarded us. In Chapters 3 and 4 expands into working with SD and HD video. Film stocks have been changing and David has updates those tables as well.The appendixes are updated to help videographers and a new and updated glossary will keep the reader up to date on all of the new language used in daily production.

The is a very worthy book and all camera technicians, experienced, or just starting out, should own a copy and keep it with them at all times.

Stan McClain
Past president, SOC
 

 
 
 Editorial Reviews

 A very well done book on cameras and assisting and for any budding cinematographer or assistant."
-Ron Dexter, ASC


 

Fourth Edition Reviews from Amazon.com
 
 
Amazing reference! May leave you a soulless husk if you read it all the way through..., January 9, 2007
By  J. Wolfsberger    
I bought this book when I was hired to AC for a project on equipment I had never worked with before. For one of those, "Holly crap! I agreed to do a job I only know how to do part of!" moments, this book is great. Every question I could think of was answered thoroughly and I mean THOROUGHLY. If you want to learn exactly what the responsibilities of an Assistant Camera Person are and how best to execute them read this book! If you are a working AC and want an easy to read, text-book style reference this is it.
 

 
 
The Best Book On The Subject. PERIOD., December 3, 2005
By  Leon Sanginiti   
Nothing comes close to David Elkins' book. It's that simple. This is the best, most complete book on the job of the camera assistant. PERIOD. If you are new to the job of the camera assistant, this book is an absolute must have. If you are a seasoned "vet" who has years of experience working on motion picture sets, again, this book is an absolute must have. Elkins' total description of every aspect of the AC's job is so consise, it's like a classroom in a book. Loaded with every conceivable diagram and chart, and covering every motion picture camera currently being used, this book goes well beyond your typical "job description" type tome.

The bonus materials alone make this book invaluable. Along with the companion website, the reader has vast amounts of precious material available for when the job calls for it...label templates, charts, manufacturer links and contacts, the list goes on and on and on. The best part is the writing style is clear and informative, almost like Elkins himself is teaching you as you go.

Look no further than this book. It's all here.
 

 
 
The Best Technical Book on Moviemaking, November 29, 2005
David Elkins's The Camera Assistant's Manual, Fourth Edition is the best technical book around, and one of the best books on movies, period.

Dave manages to cover every aspect of an assistant's job, no matter how obscure or infrequently encountered. But the completeness is only one aspect which recommends it to any aspiring or working cinematographer.

Written in a clear, conversational manner, Dave manages to demystify both the jargon and the sometimes strange job of an assistant. His accounts of procedure for both first and second assistants clarify what we in the business call "industry standard": the accepted, professional way of conducting yourself and doing a job. Outside of a job on a
Hollywood set, it is nearly impossible to learn these classic, time-saving routines. And unless you've been a pro in the business, you're not going to know about such things as the relative merits of Magliner and Rubbermaid carts for hauling equipment.

The book covers the general characteristics of film, cameras, and lenses in such a way as to give a general technical education. Dave also gives a valuable overview of the camera department and its place in film production overall.

What many readers will find most useful are the sections on troubleshooting, the diagrams and threading patterns of every currently used camera, and the wealth of forms and lists to organize the on-set work.

I've tried to give a good idea of what the book covers, but it contains much, much more. I've been using The Camera Assistant's Manual since the first edition. This is the biggest and the best version. I only wish that, when I started as a camera assistant, I had had access to such a clear, helpful book.
 

 
 
Beginner to Pro, October 17, 2005
The 4th Edition of the Camera Assistant's Manual by focal press author David Elkins is a must have for the beginner as well as the seasoned pro. From how to set up a darkroom, to threading diagrams on all "in use" cameras, to lifelong useful tables and charts, this edition has it all.
 

 
 
Must Have Manual, September 27, 2005
The Camera Assistant's Manual is a must have reference book for both beginners and experienced professionals in the camera department. If you are a beginner, this manual will teach you all of the basics as well as the advanced details of camera assisting. Although not a substitute for actual experience, author David Elkins also coaches you on how to act efficiently and professionally on a set. This can save you countless embarrassing blunders on your "first barbeque." But before learning all of the AC's duties, the reader is introduced to the basics of cinematography and a complete overview of the camera department. This is extremely helpful - allowing the beginner to understand the "big picture" first. If you are an experienced professional, Elkins gives you hundreds of tips and suggestions that will add to your knowledge base and help your job go smoothly. This 4th edition contains the most complete and up to date camera diagrams, tables, and formulas of any single reference source. Imagine your relief when you have to load and thread a new camera for the first time. The Camera Assistant's Manual is worth it's weight in gold.
 

 
 
The Camera Assistant's Manual is a great tool to have., April 30, 2005
The Camera Assistant's Manual, 4th edition is packed with a wealth of valuable tips, tricks, explanations, illustrations, and suggestions for the modern-day camera assistant. This is a good book to have, an excellent reference for a working professional camera assistant and a great teaching tool for film students and people new to the camera department. The companion website offers a collection of links and forms, a superb resource that is always accessible.
 

 
 
THE Textbook for Assistant Camera, March 17, 2000
Having been trained by David Elkins from the original manuscript of this book, I was eager to read the second addition.

This book is the perfect primer for the beginning Assistant Cameraperson. The details of the camera department, each department broken down into chapters, gives not only an overview, but a detailed step by step description of the tasks and duties of an Assistant Camera.

This has been an invaluable text book for my beginning Film Students.
 

 

Third Edition Reviews
 
Stan McClain, SOC (Past President) Filmtools-President
"David Elkins, SOC does it again. In this latest edition David covers all of the latest cameras and accessories that have been invented since the last edition. This is truly the "Bible" for seasoned
camera assistants, and an indispensable tool for all veteran and student film makers."


Click here for Operating Cameraman Magazine review of
"The Camera Assistant's Manual, Third Edition"
 

Second Edition Reviews
 

Booknews, Inc. , 12/01/96:
A new edition of the manual giving "everything you need to know" information on the job functions of a first and second assistant cameraman, and providing ready reference on equipment and technique for professionals. Elkins (a camera operator himself) describes the basics of cinematography, the camera department, cameras, troubleshooting, and how beginners in the field can get and keep jobs..... Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Midwest Book Review :
... The Camera Assistant's Manual is comprehensive, practical, informative, well-organized, and the most valuable book an assistant camera operator could have on his or her reference bookshelf.


Click on any of the below links to purchase "The Camera Assistant's Manual"



 


The Camera Assistant's Manual
 
First Edition Second Edition Third Edition Fourth Edition Fifth Edition
         
     
  Spanish Edition   Japanese Edition  



 

Camera Terms and Concepts

Answer Print • Cut Away • Dirty Single •
Dolly • Space Blanket


For students and professionals alike, terminology is often the first barrier to succeeding in the film industry. Once understood, however, film industry jargon opens doors to the development of professional skills and lends additional credibility to the neophyte.

With over 100 illustrations, "Camera Terms and Concepts" defines more than 600 words that every camera operator and assistant needs to know to function in the real world of motion picture production. In addition to the terms from the camera department, this book defines terms from closely associated departments, such as lighting and grip.

The author, a working professional and teacher, has based "Camera Terms and Concepts" on his daily on-the-job vocabulary. He knows what terminology will confuse students and beginning professionals and has clarified these words in this portable dictionary.

Currently out of print.



 


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©2009 David E. Elkins
Last revised - July 2009