Working with the Logbook and Online Training Supplement

Two problems camera trainees experience on set are:

– knowing the relevant questions to ask 

and

– feeling confident in their training progress

 

The CineCertified framework guides the trainee in finding relevant questions to ask which will lead them towards achieving an appropriate level of knowledge while at the same time building on their development in stages, preparing them for a Final Assessment. 

 

The framework does not give the answers. It encourages trainees to take charge of their learning by being self-driven in finding the answers while working with as many different trainers/crews as possible to gain an appropriate level of knowledge. When the trainee feels comfortable they have achieved this for any stage of a skill, they can request to be signed off by their peer* who take responsibility for checking that they are ready to progress to the next stage.

* Focus puller/first AC or clapper loader/second AC. No other grades can sign off.

 

SODOTO

Camera Skills are broken down into 3 stages, each requiring a different signature. This is our training system SODOTO in effect. 

See (Observation), Do (Demonstration) and Teach (Communication). 

Each stage builds on what came before, and each requires a varying number of workdays logged before the trainee can advance.

 

For each of the Camera Skills in the logbook, there are corresponding Key Learning Points here on the Online Training Supplement. The trainee must make every effort to understand each individual point while considering the specific stage of SODOTO they are at before they request to be signed off by their peer*. Any peer* who has been requested to sign off, is responsible for discerning whether that trainee has gained an appropriate level of knowledge for the stage of SODOTO. 

* Focus puller/first AC or clapper loader/second AC. No other grades can sign off.

 

Responsibility vs Accountability

CineCertified holds the view that a trainee is a trainee. The priority is to be trained to become a skilled, safety conscious and competent camera assistant by being appropriately prepared by their peers to progress.

 

Camera trainees taking part in the logbook programme are responsible for meeting all the minimum requirements and for pursuing an appropriate level of knowledge.

 

It is solely the responsibility of the trainer/peer* to make their own assessment of the camera trainee before signing them off to ensure an appropriate level of knowledge has been achieved. In their individual teaching methods, they are responsible for providing correct training but also while they may delegate duties onto a trainee, they must acknowledge this responsibility and hold themselves accountable when things go wrong in the case of trainees who have not been given appropriate attention to developing their learning.

 

By not providing appropriate training or setting the correct example as the senior trainer/peer* they are at fault and accountable. This is not a radical new idea, but as it already is on set. Senior crew are responsible for the training they give and accountable for lack of quality in their training – we are simply putting that into writing.

* Focus puller/first AC or clapper loader/second AC. No other grades can sign off.

 

Let’s build a benchmark – together!

From the camera trainees induction day it is made clear to them that they will require continual assessment in order to progress, and this will have a positive impact on their self-driven learning. Working with the Online Training Supplement they will understand what they need to achieve with the Key Learning Points, guiding them towards their Final Assessment.

 

The logbook will install in them a new way of learning, laid out with a clear progression pathway leading camera trainee’s towards “I must gain an appropriate level of knowledge!” and “I will learn more!” And for the senior camera crew – in time the question they will be asking their prospective trainee is “have you started your logbook yet?”