Simon Foggin – Video Assist

 “I  started my career at Tyne Tees in December ’98. Alistair McKenzie, Wilfred’s Cinematographer told me about the project and in January 1999. I was asked  if I would like to be Video Assist Operator.  I was really excited that I would be working on a 35mm project shot for a cinema audience. I was really grateful for the opportunity.”

The ability  to attach a video camera to a film camera's viewfinder has been around for  over 25 years, and yet the role of Video Assist is a relatively new one.  With more complex set ups brought about by advances in digital post production, the need to review takes on site has become almost universal. The quality of the image produced, however, is considerably lower than  that recorded on film, and serves best as a guide to framing, camera movement and performance. Exposure, Colour and focus are impossible to  judge through the system and are still reliant on the expertise of the  Cinematographer and Focus Puller.

“I worked closest with the camera department, Alistair the Cinematographer, the focus puller, and the clapper Loader. 

 However, I was able to mix with other departments; Sound,  Special Effects, Electricians, and it was an exciting learning curve  discovering what goes into making a film.”

“I learned a lot about the format of film, different stock, shutter speeds, cameras, lenses, all of which are very different to video.  I saw how people worked as a team in harmony to create a very high quality  product.  I think everyone who worked on the film came away with a  lot more than they started with,”