Re: i hope sanchez didnt already get to you

ok...

My standard joke is a location assistant needs to be able to bench-
press more than me. Thus, rosenholtz.

It really depends on the job. I usually only need location
assistants, and that pretty much fits the description of roadie. For
one-day jobs, if you are reasonably knowledgeable about the gear, are
good company and presentable, that's all I need. The longer the job,
the more the "good company" part counts.

Many photographers need help with production as well as roadie work,
so in that case it's a whole different story, and speed and perfection
with the software is essential.

My absolute best assistant was really experienced with the equipment,
had done a lot of travel with photographers, watching her go through an airport was like watching a symphony conductor. Working with her was effortless... which, now that I mention it, is pretty much really the
most important thing... the whole purpose of an assistant, or
assistants, is that all I need to worry about is making the pictures.
All the other crap associated with a production should fade into the
background noise, so I can just worry about the images. Anything an
assistant does to make that happen makes them invaluable.

The worst assistants I've had are high-maintenance, incapable of self
direction, smell bad, eat cheetos and drink grape soda (together)
unprofessional to the client and to me, etc, etc. The best get
everything done, and are almost invisible... or if not, fun to be
around.

I almost never want the assistant making any suggestions whatsoever
about how the shot should be executed. On the other hand, I have no
problem at all with an assistant asking why I'm doing something... I
figure they are there to learn, as much as anything else.

Professionalism? Of course, you need to be professional at any point
in a business relationship... interview especially. If you can't be
professional there, I'm assuming you can't be professional period, and
I won't hire you. I don't need experience as much as a willingness
to work and learn, and a basic mechanical aptitude.

btw: It is ALWAYS handy in this digital age for the assitant to have a
good backup laptop just to carry along. If the photographer's
equipment blows up on the job, and you whip our your spiff MacBook
Pro, you can imagine how that will go... if the photographer does not
lay himself at your feet after that then he's a jerk and you don't
want to work for him again.

Check out photoassistant.net

this is so awesome I'm posting it.

ted

On Apr 7, 2008, at 10:02 AM, Paris Visone wrote:

> dear ted,
>
> I have this assignment in "professional directions" asking to ask a
> photographer in the field what he or she looks for in an assistant.
> If you have time would you be able to answer that for me? Some
> specific questions would be, How "professional" should they be in
> the interview? Is it a matter of just getting along with the person?
> If there is someone that doesn't know much about the field but
> really wants to learn, do you choose them just from their drive?
> Does it matter if they look strong (to carry lights, etc.)? I
> already know the answer to that one.... (sam rosenholtz...)
>
> u know, no rush. i just need it by tonight. hahah.
>
> if you cant do it, its fine.
>
> Thanks
>
> Paris
>
> p.s. sanchez is in this class with me. If he asks u to do it too,
> dont.