Cinema Production Technique
Lighting
Often available light is not adequate, has the wrong quality, comes from the wrong location, or lights the wrong element for cinemagraphic purposes. So, specialized lighting fixtures are used to create the desired light. The setting and adjustment of these light fixtures is the job of Gaffers.
Cutting light
Insufficient light is not always the light issue that may be contributing to undesired image for cinematography. When excessive light is an issue or some sort of shadow is needed the light of the cinema lighting fixtures needs to be 'cut.' This process of cutting light generally falls into the job description of the Grip.
Wrapping Cable
(over-under, don't twist the wire inside the insulative coating)
Cleaning, Servicing, and Storing Equipment
(all equipment should be cleaned prior to any project, cameras should be sent for servicing after the manufacturers recommended length of film has run through the camera, film changing bags and film magazines should always be checked to make sure they are dirt and lint free, electric cables should be checked for breaks in the insulation -- any cables with broken insulation should be put into a repair pile and should not be used-even if they work- until they have been repaired -- hydraulics systems should be serviced by hydraulic professionals, globes should be changed in light fixtures when wearing clean cloth gloves -- you should never touch globes with your bare hands, globes should always be clean -- motion picture production equipment should be stored in even an environment that is dry and has an even temperature [some camera blimps have rubber gaskets that dry out if left in to dry a place] film should be stored in a cool or cold and dry place)
Pyrotechnics
(don't experiment with pyrotechnics yourself, get experience apprenticing with a professional!)
Fog Machines
(Cooling the air intake so the fog stays low to the ground, heating the air intake so the rises like smoke)
Checking the Camera Gate
(remove the lens between takes to see if any lint or hair are built up in the gate)
Loading Film Magazines
(magazine loading often requires a predetermined film loop length to properly loaded onto the camera)
Camera Reports
(keep track of the number of feet of film that run through a camera so servicing can be done at appropriate times, keep track of what lens setting are used with what film stocks to determine which lenses give the result you are after)
Slating
(one or two frame exposures shot before the scene starts works well when shooting MOS, for sound shooting the sound recorder is called first, the camera is called second, then the action, when "cut" is called the camera stops and the camera operator calls that they have stopped, then the sound recordist stops the recorder)