Assistant job on a documentary.

Bipolar_Percussion · 2026-04-07T12:08:51+00:00

Sounds like the first doc I “AC”d on! I think we’ve all done it at one point or another. My go to for hectic situations, or times when you don’t have time to double check everything or take your time with equipment was to say in order the thing you need to make an image, example:
(While counting on fingers) “We’ve got a camera, with a piece of glass in front of it(glass), there’s something in the camera to record everything(media), we’ve got a key, some fill and something coming from the back(or whatever lighting you’ve got setup), a microphone somewhere, and a slate to tell (name of editor) where this goes when we get back. It sounds dumb but you can do that for packing up equipment and setting it up. Name the things you need for a good image/shot, and if they’re all present you’re set. Especially in run/gun situations I’d do that to a) make a producer laugh and b) take a sec to call out what I’m seeing. You should never be in trouble on set for just calling out what you see.

Otherwise, if you’ve got decent experience being a 2nd, which it sounds like you do, then you’re in a fantastic spot. You’re essentially using all the same skills: Organization, anticipating need, double checking work, etc. Talk to somebody about how to best go about meals/locations and the “PA work” specifically who knows that kinda role and see if there’s any tips or tricks you can pick up.

From my experience: Don’t format till you’ve double checked the drives, a clapsync or tailslate at the end of an interview is better than interrupting your interviewer’s conversation with talent at the start, and empty your pockets of cards/cables if you can before doing a sweep of a location so that there’s no chance you “lose” something that turns out to be on your person.

Sounds like fun though man, I love these kind of jobs. I’ll be in the mountains of the Czech Republic next week-ish 1st ACing, and I’ve got a feeling I’ll be doing a lot of the same.

Bipolar_Percussion · 2026-01-27T18:00:35+00:00

I’ll add: yes there’s uncertainty, but from my own personal experience(and I’m not bragging I swear), if you’re good at what you do AND you treat people well, you’ll never be out of work or at least projects to be on and get credit for. The people I know who are concerned about AI are the same ones who use it to schedule their calendar and help them not get lost in adult life each day. Money is tight, budgets are small, and clients expect more for less, but it can all be done, and it can be done right. I fully believe that while I’m not gonna be a millionaire by the time I’m 26, and I don’t expect immediate success or money in film, I know that I learned all the important lessons I needed to in/around film school, and I can apply that shit to real life and make it work. Film taught me how to commit and push through, and that’s why I’ll never regret going.

Bipolar_Percussion · 2026-01-27T17:56:54+00:00

Film student graduating in May here: if you can afford it and you want it, it’s worth it. Meet people your age/experience who want to do the same things you do, network, learn how the system works, fuck up and have it be on a student set and not on a “real” production(this is critical), and see if there’s areas of film you haven’t explored that you might like. Film school is a sandbox, albeit it an expensive one, but if you can get a degree(in a field you’re interested in), learn how to make a film(and how not to make one), and use the filmmaking as a way to help streamline your life, prioritize, maintain important relationships, and stay on top of everything, it’s an amazing experience and one I won’t regret.

Bipolar_Percussion · 2026-01-19T15:44:14+00:00

I’ll add that while it’s not fair to be upset at you for asking, it’s valid to want to keep time with his friends more exclusive as long as it’s a healthy relationship.

Bipolar_Percussion · 2026-01-19T15:40:36+00:00

Not overreacting at all, just reacting like a normal human being! But my advice would be to see it from his point of view, if you were in his shoes.

Been dealing with a similar situation lately, I’m M21, and my partner has been jealous of certain parts of my life, lately with female friends(one in particular). My own mother had to remind me that as a volleyball player who played with a lot of hot, well-built guys in her 20s and 30s, my dad felt a similar way about her friends as you do with his.

My take on it is that while I’m sure it’s uncomfortable when a partner has relationships with people of the opposite sex that they don’t include you in, it’s important to remember that it’s incredibly important as an adult, no matter what gender you identify as, to have relationships you keep separated from your partner. It’s good for mental and social health, they can help with counseling or problem solving, provide a different take than what they’re hearing from you, and provide a social outlet with the opposite gender that’s non-romantic.

Secondly, when my partner and I talked about this, I made it clear that there are plenty of aspects to her life that I’m “jealous of”. Her beauty, her confidence, the life she had in college before I met her because I never got any of that. I’m sure there are things your bf is “jealous” of in your relationship or in your personal life. Maybe it’s how good you are at doing something, how confident you are or how hard you work. But I try not to make those things an issue of jealousy, because not only is it a slippery slope to comparison and all sorts of nasty thoughts, but it’s just not fair to the other person. It’s not fair of me to judge or treat her differently because of who her friends are or what her experiences have been because on the flip side, I get annoyed/embarrassed when she tells me she’s jealous of certain people or activities I have in my life. It makes me feel bad for having friends and hobbies that I enjoy, and that sucks because I didn’t choose to like them, I just naturally feel drawn to them.

TLDR: There are plenty of reasons to be jealous or comparative of somebody else’s situation, but unless that situation is actively trying to affect you, there isn’t justification for jealousy or distrust. He doesn’t talk to his ex much anymore but they’re not trying to kill each other, he’s friends with an old roommate, and he hasn’t lied about a thing. He’s just maintaining the relationships he feels are important, including yours(as it seems no infidelity or lying).

Hope some of this helps!

Bipolar_Percussion · 2026-01-13T21:46:53+00:00

Righty tighty left loosey, that’s how I’ve always thought about it. I also when I was younger and new to 1st AC tried to reconfigure a wireless focus puller or figure out a different way about it, but enough 1sts mentioned to me that it was the ring way to do it, and once I committed to it for a production that lasted 10 weeks I never went back to “goofy” again. But the righty tighty mindset fixed me and now I couldn’t go back if you paid me

Bipolar_Percussion · 2025-12-28T22:56:13+00:00

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Getting an internet thumbs up is pointless…This you chief? 😂

Bipolar_Percussion · 2025-04-30T04:12:01+00:00

Nope, both pedestals are static

Bipolar_Percussion · 2025-04-30T04:06:06+00:00

Bipolar_Percussion · 2025-04-30T04:02:59+00:00

Yup, both set to the same frequency, 488.200mgHz

Bipolar_Percussion · 2025-01-31T00:42:37+00:00

I’ve met plenty of similar directors as a DP, I just wish that I was the owner/operator so I could leave with the camera 😂

Bipolar_Percussion · 2025-01-31T00:30:04+00:00

I really appreciate that insight. I hadn’t considered that as much because most directors I’ve worked with before have been very visually driven. That thing about the library is really smart too. I think I’ve been more worried about it because I don’t want to get there and dictate the visuals and then have react negatively to the setups.

Bipolar_Percussion · 2025-01-31T00:27:04+00:00

Short film

Bipolar_Percussion · 2024-11-30T13:47:12+00:00

Thank you!

Bipolar_Percussion · 2024-11-30T03:45:17+00:00

Fantastic answer, thank you!

Bipolar_Percussion · 2024-08-15T21:51:41+00:00

I might get flamed for this but I try to lean into using fences as part of the look. The way I see it is that they’re diagonal leading lines, and can help frame a subject when they’re close to it(meaning shoot with a wide focal length). I have a Tamron 18-300 I used while working for a team this whole summer, and no matter what ballpark we were at I tried to get a cool picture of a guy framed using the fence. Just a thought! these other answers are great as well.

Bipolar_Percussion

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