how to test a camera

[David Kurtiz]

hi everyone

im sorry if what im about to ask sounds dumb, im 17y/o and dont know anyone that is in to film making and i would like to be a dop one day. i would like to know how to test the red camera, i see people holding colored charts and black and white charts and then they come up with something, and with the test on the tshop i think its called that i was reading jim is down, how do i do that kind of test and are there other things i should be testing. again sorry about askign something dumb that you all might now about.

[Tom Mitchell]

find you local rental house and call them up and see if you can come down for the day. or offer to do some work experience.

Use something like Mandy to see if there are any short films being shot in your area and apply to be a runner. whist working on the job, keeping your head down, you should get a opportunity to ask one of the camera assistants and/or DIT about the camera.

the charts about mostly for checking the exposure levels and and the color one (mcbeth) is for checking the color balance. this isn't just for the red camera but most cini cameras and film.