Greeny Beanies
Trainees often ask me what they need to bring on set, so I’ve composed a beginners list. Keep in mind : your first few times on set it is okay, completely normal AND understandable if you haven’t got everything you need. If you haven’t acquired any equipment yet I’d strongly suggest to text or call your 2nd AC/loader prior to the shoot and inform them so that they can prepare to bring consumables that you, the trainee, might need during the day. If you are on a long form, you’ll have consumables provided by production which you’ll be able to use for the shoot.
Don’t expect this to happen, but your regular loaders or focus pullers will likely be handing you down some consumables or other equipment that they don’t need anymore.
It will seem like you’ll never be able to build your trainee/loader equipment but slowly you’ll acquire what you need and eventually you’ll have inherited so much stuff that you’ll end up wanting to get rid of it believe me! It took me more than a year to do so, so be patient with yourself.
Nevertheless, ideally, this is what would be good to have and bring to set:
Starter pack
Side pouch/chest pouch
I prefer the side pouch to the chest pouch as there’s less risk of all your pens and so on dropping on the floor or *yikes* on lenses when bending over *again, yikes*!
In your side pouch you should have:
Sharpie double sided black
Filmsticks reusable white board chizzled pen or maxiflo chizzled pen with kleenslate eraser or Selvit cloth to erase.
N50 black
Fiskar scissors (rounded tip is preferable)
Multitool (Gerber, Leatherman or Stanley brand to start with)
Lens cloth
Head torch/neck torch
T-bar
Policeman notepad
Book light and Camera Sheets Tin
Battery bag or AKS (all kinds of sh*t) bag - stanley open tool bag
Clothing
Wet weather trousers, coat and shoes (whatever works at first Quechua for example, and then when budget allows upgrade to brands such as Rab, Arcteryx or Dynafit)
Gloves (full for cold or weightlifting mitten gloves to protect your hands whilst carrying heavy equipment)
These are essentials to bring on as a trainee.
Building your 2nd AC/Loader’s bag
Once you’ve gained experience as a trainee, getting closer to taking on 2nd AC jobs and building your kit to step up, here are a couple additional consumables and ‘office supplies’ you’ll need to acquire.
You all guessed it : your first clapperboard ! It’s a very exciting purchase, so choose well. I got mine from Filmsticks, and am very happy with it, but you can also get some from the Panastore for example.
Cleaning & Aerosols
Roscoe tissue
Lens liquid
Paint brush
Selvit cloth
Rocket Blower Cleaner
Air duster
Label remover
Contact cleaner
Cable management
Zip ties
Bongo ties
Thick & thin elastic bands
Velcro ties/cable grips
Tools
Screwdriver set
Allen Keys set (metric and imperial)
10mm spanner
Adjustable spanner
2x Cinelocks (hand me downs or if you are going to buy some, do not go for the extra cheap ones as they won’t be safe to use! I have bought the Kondor Blue brand ones and they have been very safe so far)
Outdoors
Shower caps
Cap it Covers (depending on use and team’s preference)
Microfibre cloth to wipe hands or dirty things/ blue roll
Chamois/Shami leather
Stationery
Label maker (P-touch label maker when budget allows)
Tapes & co.
16mm or 35mm core to organise tapes (hand-me downs)
Tape (1”red/blue/white/green/ 2”black/transparent/wet weather)
2” Hook & Loop Velcro
Batteries
AA batteries
AAA batteries
Grip
Safety chain
Carabina
Ratchet strap
A Run bag or Pelicase (whatever you prefer using)
The list can go on and on but this is to give you an idea of what is used as a trainee and then as a 2nd AC/loader once you start stepping up, and what’s most needed to start with. Make sure you get good quality consumables - safe to use and efficient. What you buy doesn’t have to always be branded! Ask around and see what sort of consumables and supplies your fellow trainees and assistants recommend and prefer to then build your equipment how you feel is right for the jobs you are getting. As always, if you’re unsure what to bring to set, ask your loader or focus puller, communication is key. The main thing to bring on set as a trainee, aside from your kitted out pouch , is a good attitude, a thirst for learning and a good work ethic. It’s cheesy but it’s true!
Speak soon x
Lea
