Auckland: Assistant Camera - One Day Workshop

The NZCS is pleased to announce an intensive one-day Assistant Camera workshop in Auckland on Saturday, 1st May. The session will be led by highly experienced career 1st AC, Michael Paletta, who has been resident in NZ since 2017, after learning his craft and working in Los Angeles from 2011 onwards.

Michael has designed an introductory course to the AC profession, that he wishes had been available when he first started his career. A very successful pilot AC workshop was run by Michael in Christchurch in late 2020.

The agenda will include: 

• networking
• set etiquette
• over-view of Camera Dept positions and responsibilities
• team work basics
• AC kit run-down
• rental house liason
• practical session on prepping/building a camera kit
• testing and working with cine lenses
• focus-pulling techniques and tools available
• role of the 2nd AC
• gear management demos
• practical exercises with blocking
• marking actors
• pulling focus and reviewing results

This course recognises a need in the Auckland industry for upcoming, dedicated, camera assistants to be available to assist the cinematographers in the region in a professional manner. While it takes a lot longer than a one day course to hone these skills, the hope is that attendees with a strong desire to do well in this field will become inspired by the course and will be encouraged to seek further experience, other learning opportunities and mentorships with obliging DPs.  

This workshop is sponsored by Screen Auckland.  Experienced DP/Operators will be on hand to operate cameras during practical sessions and add their perspective to the proceedings.

The workshop will be restricted to 12 attendees only, so that numbers are manageable and everyone gets quality hands-on time with the gear. Potential applicants will need to send a short e-mail with a brief summary of their experience, and why they feel this course will benefit their career progression.

We are looking for attendees whose goal is to work as 2nd or 1st AC's on various levels of productions. If you are a camera operator wanting to learn more about working with an AC, then this is probably not the course for you.

Please email pd@nzcine.com by Thursday April 22nd if you wish to be considered for a place on the course, and we will confirm positions by Monday 26th April and provide registration details to those who are accepted.

This one-day master class costs: 
$75 for NZCS members, and $125 for non-members
Note: You can join the NZCS as a student member for $46

Lunch and short breaks will be provided. Details of venue upon registration.

Event kindly sponsored by: