Video assist
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A video assist is a piece of equipment mounted onto a movie camera that allows (with the addition of a monitor) the director to see exactly what the camera operator is seeing and thus ensure that the film is being shot and framed the way he/she wants. On digital video cameras, this device is not necessary as the chips relay video directly, but a video assist is required on a film camera in order to optically tap what the lens receives. This is done by using a small chip (similar to ones in consumer camcorders) inside the viewfinder. The assist will capture the reflection coming off a mirrored shutter as it passes in front of the film.
The video feed is used in a number of ways to aid in framing and monitoring during filming. Using an on board monitor, usually a two to four inch LCD monitor, the focus puller will use the assist to judge his pulls and adjust his timing. The assist feed is most commonly used at video village where the director and department keys can see the frame and the action. For three camera sitcoms the video assists are also used to create an online edited cut of the episode that can be displayed to the audience.
Though the quality of the a video assist feed can vary greatly based on both the camera and the assist, it is always used as guide and nothing more. Because the assist has its own controls for exposure, contrast, focus and color correction, it is not possible to use it to learn anything more than the frame lines.
Video assists are widely used in modern filmmaking during the production/shooting phase. However, some directors prefer to trust their camera operator or DP and allow them to freely shoot without the pressure of being monitored, while other directors want to ensure that everything is exactly as intended.
Comedian and director Jerry Lewis holds the United States patent on this system, and is widely credited with its invention, although some similar systems existed before Lewis first used a video camera to simultaneously film scenes with the cinematic cameras during production of The Bellboy in 1960.
