Jack of all trades

So those following my column will know I’m Emma and currently in my first year working as a freelance production assistant. There’s been a few n00by mistakes but also some successes!
The best thing about my job has to be the variety of clients I work with, and the variety of roles I can fulfil. This month I've been a second camera operator, production assistant, video editor and work experience minder.
I was in the bizarre situation of filming a dance show of an academy I used to belong to. Besides recognising most of the costumes as ones I once wore, and knowing bits of dances, it was strange being the one behind the camera, instead of in front of it. We filmed both nights of the show, so for the first I was up at the back corner of the circle, for the second night I went walkabout in the wings. I was using the 7D, which is the camera I feel most comfortable with.
In all honesty, I'm a lot more comfortable with still cameras, I do a lot more photography in my spare time then video. But I love the 7D. It's relatively easy to use, and even easier if you already know how to work it as a still camera. There was a real buzz about being backstage. Being in with the dancers, you really got the excitement and adrenaline of the show. A few times I got trampled by the odd dancer charging off stage still blinded by the stage lights, but no injuries to report thankfully! The shots came out really well, the shallow depth of field adds another dimension that the EX3 and the JVC didn't bring. However, syncing is going to be a bit of an issue. I forgot to switch the wireless receiver on, so none of my side of
stage footage has any audio! Not my finest moment.
And of course, the exotic locations I get to go to always keeps the interest alive. We went to Harpenden. It rained. But we got to play with our new toy!!! (And everyone there were ovely). Here at Sardine Media we've recently got hold of a Panasonic AF-101. And it's gorgeous!! As well as trying not to drool over lovely Sonic, as it's affectionately known (by me at least), I was assisting and minding the work experience lad who seemed to be stumped by the tripod. There was, as always, a fair amount of waiting around, but what else are
iPads made for? Over two days we filmed 11 different people in a variety of mammoth and lush houses, usually only spending around an hour in one place. This was weird because by the afternoon I couldn't remember where we had been, in what order we had seen people or what time of day it was. All a bit disconcerting really. Thank goodness for the work experience lad studiously taking down notes or we would have had no reference whatsoever. I was on hand to give a second opinion, make suggestions of how to add interest to the shot and generally keep an eye on things. And drink coffee.
With the footage we took in Harpenden, I've edited them all into a basic order, taking out all the interviewer's questions, mistakes, and putting it all into an order in which the dialogue flowed best. It's great to work on a project that you see with you own eyes to a completed video. I enjoy editing, tweaks here and there, making decisions on how best to present something, how someone's interest can be captured, and maintained, moulding it into something pleasing to watch.
Thanks again to all of you who have gotten in touch over Twitter, I love hearing from you! Follow @emmabeanies. I can also be found at emmahay.me