Camera assistant courses - MONDEL – L’Atelier du Cinéma – Training Center for Technical Cinema and Television Professions

Camera assistant

Their tasks mainly consist of assisting the director of photography, the camera operator and/or the 1st camera assistant in the preparation, storage, and maintenance of the cameras and in the performance of certain other tasks related to the operation of the camera, including the preparation of the clapperboard and the writing of certain usage reports.

*Please note that the use of the masculine gender has been adopted to facilitate reading and is not intended to be discriminatory.

Course plan

  • What is a camera assistant?
  • Camera: a computer?
  • Understanding measurement units
  • Concept of light and shadow
  • Framing
  • Formats
  • Electronics
  • VFX Concept
  • Knowing the types of cameras, lenses, and accessories
  • Understanding video, understanding film (reel)
  • Video assist, Data, and rushes
  • Dollys and camera heads
  • Camera cranes
  • Working with drones and helicopters
  • Working with water. Rain, pool, boat, and ice field
  • Truck stowing, preventive driving, and practice
  • Safety code-camera car
  • Real-life scenario

Mandatory basic general course

Here is the content of the mandatory basic general course for all training:

  • “Masterclass” type conference for everyone
  • History of Quebec cinema
  • First aid course
  • Teamwork / Interaction with other departments / Hierarchy
  • Understanding of hazardous products (WHMIS)
  • Occupational health and safety. Ergonomics advice/Thermal control (cold and hot). Fire zone (fires, propane, gas). Fire line-corridor
  • Criminal and penal responsibilities
  • New sanitary measures (COVID).
  • Physical and psychological harassment
  • Law on driving heavy vehicles (law 430)
  • Stowing (general), SAAQ road code.
  • Transportation Policies-Drugs, Alcohol, tickets, fines. ATV-Golf cart
  • Awareness of residents and the unpredictables of locations-Impact on shooting locations-living environment
  • Understanding of direction and production documents
  • Understand the chain of all departments associated with a production
  • Application of green sets
  • Equipment responsibilities
  • Thorough knowledge of the AQTIS-514-IATSE union agreement
  • Introduction to associative life – AQTIS 514 IATSE
  • What is a producer? Role in production and interaction with the technical team
  • Relationship between the actor’s profession and technicians
  • Personal finance