The slate
The most visible part of a 2nd AC's job is the slate. The script supervisor gives the setup designation, and the 2nd AC writes scene, take, roll or card, camera, lens, and date on the board. On "roll sound" and "roll camera," the 2nd AC holds the slate in frame, reads it aloud ("42B, take three, A mark"), claps it, and gets out of the shot fast and quietly.
A few variations come up every day. On a two-camera shoot, both slates go in and the call is "A and B common mark" if one clap is visible to both cameras, or "A mark" then "B mark" if not. A take without sound is shot MOS, and the 2nd AC holds the clapper sticks closed with fingers between them so editorial can see there's no sync. If the shot starts somewhere the slate can't reach, the 2nd AC tail slates it: slate upside down, called and clapped at the end, before "cut." When a clap is missed or too fast for the camera, the call is "second sticks" and a second clap.
Camera reports
Every card or film roll gets a camera report. Whether it's a paper pad or an app, the 2nd AC fills in a line for every take as the day goes on:
| Card | Scene | Take | Lens | T-stop | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A012 | 42 | 1 | 32mm | T2.8 | |
| A012 | 42 | 2 | 32mm | T2.8 | Circle |
| A012 | 42B | 1 | 75mm | T2 | MOS insert |
| A012 | 42B | 2 | 75mm | T2 | Tail slate, circle |
At a card change, the 2nd AC closes out that report, labels the card (A012), and hands it to the DIT with the report. The DIT offloads it and confirms verified backups before the card is formatted and comes back. On a film shoot, exposed magazines go to the loader for downloading into cans with the same labeling. The circled takes should match the script supervisor's notes; when they don't, the 2nd AC and script supervisor sort it out before the report goes to editorial.
Marks, lenses, and the cart
During the marking rehearsal the 2nd AC lays tape marks where actors stop, often a different color per actor, and pulls them up or moves them when blocking changes. They keep the lens case, filters, and accessories ready on the camera cart, which they park close to set without blocking anyone, and they bring the next lens the moment the 1st AC calls for it.
The 2nd AC is also the camera truck's organizer: batteries on charge overnight, expendables stocked (camera tape in several colors, Sharpies, lens tissue, compressed air, slate markers), the camera department's inventory updated, and the day's orders placed with the rental house. On many shows they're the camera department's point of contact for time cards and start paperwork.
A realistic day
| Time | Work |
|---|---|
| 5:30 a.m. | Arrives. Pulls cart and cases from the truck, checks batteries |
| 6:00 a.m. | Crew call. Helps the 1st AC build A camera, preps slates and reports |
| 6:30 a.m. | Marking rehearsal. Lays actor marks |
| 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Slates, reports, lens swaps, card changes with the DIT |
| 1:00 p.m. | Lunch. Swaps batteries and cards |
| 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Company move to the next set. Moves the cart and camera cases |
| 6:00 p.m. | Camera wrap. Last card to the DIT, closes out reports |
| 7:00 p.m. | Truck loaded, batteries on charge, reports sent to production |
Who the 2nd AC works with
The 2nd AC works for the first assistant camera. They coordinate with the script supervisor on slate designations and circled takes, the sound mixer on slate calls and timecode, the DIT on every media handoff, and the 2nd AD on the camera department's calls and times. On a film show they supervise the camera loader.
Pay and the union
In Local 600's contract the job is Second Assistant Photographer. On the 2026 to 2027 Western Region rate card, Panel 1 (features and one-hour episodic, studio-local), effective August 2, 2026:
| Schedule | Per hour | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule A-1, daily (1-1/2 after 8 and/or 40) | $62.71 | none |
| Schedule B-1, weekly (43.2-hour week) | $60.62 | $2,715.78 |
The weekly guarantee works the same way as the 1st AC's: 40 straight hours plus 3.2 at time and a half is 44.8 straight-time hours, and 44.8 times $60.62 is $2,715.78.
Union work in Los Angeles and the other Western Region states requires Industry Experience Roster placement through Contract Services: 30 days of union work as a 2nd AC within one year, or 100 days of union or non-union 2nd AC work within three years. After placement, you join Local 600 within 60 days.
Getting the job and moving up
Many 2nd ACs start as loaders, camera utilities, or camera PAs, or come from film school and non-union shoots where they 2nd AC'd for classmates and indie DPs. The next step is 1st AC, often by pulling focus on B camera or second unit days while still working as a 2nd.
Camera reports and the script supervisor's report both come from the same list of scenes and setups. In Storiara, each scene in the shot list is broken into shots with a name, category, description, and optional reference image, and shots can be dragged into shoot days on the schedule, so the 2nd AC can see the day's planned setups before call.