How to ND a Window

What is ND gel used for?  Why would you want to use it on a window?  What are two key factors in setting it up?

    An ND, or neutral density, gel is used to lower the exposure of either an area on camera or a light source itself. You would want to use it on a window as windows often appear blown out when cameras are properly exposed for a subject that is indoors. Thus, you can use an ND gel to lower the exposure of the window and bring back details that were initially lost. Two key factors in setting up an ND gel are taping and squeegee. You should first go outside and check if it is possible to simply gaff tape the gel onto the frame or window. When you gaff the gel, make sure that the tape goes beyond the window and to stretch the gel as much as possible to prevent warping due to wind. With the squeegee method, you should first clean the window with windex, then spray more before applying the gel. After that, you spray more windex before squeegeeing as much off from both behind and in front of the gel. There may be specs of dirt that you can scrape off later.

Cucoloris, Nets, and Solids

What are the differences between a Cucoloris, a net, and a solid?  What are 2 different uses for them on set?  If you had to ask someone to go grab a net or a flag out of the cart, how would you describe the difference to them?

    The differences between a Cucoloris, net, and solid are . A cucoloris, or cookie, is used to break up the light in order to create interesting shadows on the subject, such as window blinds, leaves, etc. Nets decrease the exposure of the light, with green being a single (1/2 stop), red being a double (1 stop), and blue being a triple (1 1/2 stops). Solids, or flags, cut out light entirely and are primarily used to eliminate spill. Two different uses for these pieces of equipment on set are to create interesting shadows and control the output of lights. If I had to ask someone to grab a net out of the cart, I would describe it as a rectangle with either a green, red, or blue frame on three sides and a net. If I were to ask someone to get a flag, I would describe it as a stiff black cloth rectangle.

Clamps

What are the differences between a cardellini and mafer clamp?  What are 2 different uses for them on set?  If you had to ask someone to go grab a cardellini clamp out of a box, how would you describe it to them?

    The differences between a cardellini and a mafer clamp are that mafer clamps don't close fully and are stronger. Two different uses for them on set are using a cardellini to clamp onto a flat surface and a mafer to clamp onto round or rough surfaces. If I needed to describe a cardellini clamp to someone, I would describe it as a clamp with a shaft that has a 4-way knob that can spin on it.

Lens Filters

What is a soft filter?  What does it do to your image? What do polarizers do?  What does it do to your image? What are neutral density filters?  How are graduated filters different?

    A soft filter is one that affects the sharpness of the image. What it does is soften hard lines, so that the image is still in focus but also has a softer quality to it. Polarizers are meant to reduce glare or reflections. It also is able to create somewhat truer colors because of the removed reflections. Neutral density, or ND, filters are intended to cut down the amount of light that goes into your camera. An ND filter is important in order to properly expose outdoor shots without having to sacrifice your depth of field by changing the aperture. Graduated filters are different from ND filters because they only affect a part of the image, typically the top. This allows you to properly expose your subject but also bring down the exposure of the sky in order to get some detail back into the image.

Grip vs. Electrical Department

What are 3 key differences between the grip and electrical department on set?  What is one thing from this video that adds to your understanding of what the grip department does?

    Three key differences between the grip and electrical department on set are their responsibilities, which is dependent on whether electricity, movement, and rigging is involved. Where the electric department is in charge of all things electricity, such as cables, generators, etc., the grip is in charge of more of the mechanical aspect, such as shaping the light. One responsibility of the grip department that the electric doesn't do is aiding the camera department with movement. Grips are often the people in charge of executing a camera movement such as a dolly, trucking, etc. Another difference between the departments is whether rigging is involved. Grips are who is responsibly for setting a lot of things up; if there is structures or equipment that is needed to be set up, it's often a grip's job to do so. One thing from the video which adds to my understanding of what the grip department does is that they mirror the electric department hierarchically.

What a Key Grip does on Set

What are the key responsibilities of a Key Grip on set?  How do they interact with the camera and lighting team?

    The key responsibilities of a Key Grip on set is to . They interact with the camera and lighting team as .

Blackwrap

What is blackwrap?  What does it do? What are 4 crafty ways you can use it on set that are mentioned in this video?

    Blackwrap (or cinefoil) is essentially a matte black aluminum foil. It's primary purpose is to block light. Four ways that you can use blackwrap on set are (1) to flag, (2) eliminate lens flares, (3) create shapes, and (4) make cookies. You can fold blackwrap into a square or rectangle and clip it on to a light in order to use as a flag that eliminates spill. You can use it to eliminate lens flares by either blackwrapping the light or the camera, so that it acts like a lens hood. Another use of blackwrap is to create interesting shapes, such as curving it around a light to create a "snoot" which creates a round gradient of light. Blackwrap can also work as a DIY cookie by cutting out the shapes that you want into it then placing it in front of a light.