VIDEO ASSIST
Advanced Digital Video Assist Solutions For Today’s Cinema Film Set
What is Video Assist?
The role of the Video Assist technician has come a long way since Jerry Lewis pioneered simultaneous video and film recording. Today, they manage complex systems of monitors, recorders, switchers, transmitters, and cabling, often enough to fill a medium-sized truck. Key duties include setting up the video village, capturing multi-camera footage with reference audio, supporting VFX previews, syncing playback across multiple locations, and enabling real-time remote streaming for on-the-spot approvals.
Typically, the video assist technician operates as a one-person department on set. The standard setup involves deploying three carts at a minimum:
- Main Cart
- Includes QTAKE and AJA/Blackmagic routers for camera and sound input management.
- Director’s Cart
- Features one or more production monitors, customized to suit the needs of each shoot.
- Producer’s Cart
- Equipped with larger monitors for group viewing, linked to both camera and sound feeds.
The three-cart setup is flexible and can be scaled to fit each shoot, whether that means adding a follow vehicle, using a camera car, or streamlining for fast, multi-location work. Every configuration is customized to the job and location, making an initial consultation essential.
Video Assist Rigs Customized to YOUR Production
What is Video Village?
Director and producer carts are known as villages. Keeping the villages separated allows the producers to have their own creative vision separate from what’s happening in the director’s world. Often there are additional creative or celebrity villages.
Remote streaming has become a vital part of modern production workflows, expanding the role of Video Assist Operators beyond on-set monitoring. While we traditionally streamed locally to various devices on set, the demand for off-site access has grown, enabling directors and producers to monitor from remote villages. We’ve fully integrated this capability into our standard practices. It’s especially useful for split-unit shoots in separate locations or driving sequences where a follow vehicle isn’t practical. In those situations, we stream directly from the picture car back to the village when wireless range falls short.
Additional responsibilities include capturing multi-camera footage for synchronized playback on both local monitors and remote streams. Our capabilities include live image overlays, frame matching with previously shot footage, live green screen keying, and maintaining an on-set browser library for quick access to all recorded material.
“Success is where preparation meets opportunity”
MEET OUR TECHNICIANS
Our skilled technicians bring solid experience and technical accuracy to each production and are equipped with the industry’s latest tools for advanced monitoring and playback. From ensuring clarity on set to providing crucial technical support, our goal is to elevate your production with our experience, contributing to the flawless execution of your creative vision.
Popular Configurations
Discover the most popular video assist rigs as requested by clients.
Video Assist Tools
Orders are customized to meet the unique requirements of each project, with the right tools and support provided to ensure success.
