In the United States, the Clapper Loader is often referred to as “Second Assistant Camera”. Whatever you want to call it, it is the dude/dudette who is charged with keeping the clapperboard in place at each take of a shoot, loading raw film into the camera magazines and keeping the camera crew’s paperwork organized. Sometimes the Clapper Loader is also in charge of marking props and actors, keeping inventory and organizing of all camera equipment, film and other camera related gear, ordering film stock, preventing light leaks and cleaning the equipment.
Needless to say, the Clapper Loader plays an important part in any shoot. Apart from assisting he DP and other camera crew, it is crucial that the Clapper Loader knows how to work with trainees and runners – a motivated and skilled camera trainee can make a huge difference to how smoothly a shoot runs. Since the Clapper Loader has a lot of organizational responsibility, the extra set of hands from a camera trainee can help tremendously with tasks such as keeping equipment batteries charged, labeling equipment, magazines and storage boxes clearly and keeping equipment clean and in place. Meanwhile the Clapper Loader can keep camera notes, operate clapperboard and write very specific and clear negative sheets.
While the Clapper Loader has a very active role on set, he or she will do a lot of administration behind the scenes. Sending film to the lab, keeping all records in order – from expenses to lab time sheets and equipment rental contracts– there is plenty to keep track of for sure.
Good skills to have if you are considering a career as a Clapper Loader: Organizational skills (you need to keep a million things in your head at all times, and not make mistakes as equipment and film mistakes can be incredibly costly)
Technical skills (knowing cameras, film and other equipment related to a shoot is crucial if you are to be in the midst of it)
People skills (you will be supporting an entire team, and you need to be able to motivate trainees or runners that work with you)
Time management (keeping everything ready in time for each take, know when film is sent to lab and when it is done)
Financial skills (you will need to manage expense reports and all costs surrounding your camera crew, film purchases, equipment rentals etc)
Ways to become a Clapper Loader: Take a job as a camera crew runner, or camera trainee and learn from the best in your area.
Take a job in a film lab or equipment rental studio, learn everything you can about the stuff you will be working with later – and – connect with people in the business that are in camera crews.
Take courses in camera equipment, watch online tutorials and read books on film and camera work.
GOOD LUCK!
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