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Basic understanding for beginner Electric

S

simona

Hello,


I am interested in learning to become an electric. May I get advice on what is the most basic information that may be expected from me to know stepping into the role of a 3rd electric on set?
Interestingly enough, I have always stayed away from electrical power as that was something that always scared me but now I wish to go into learning about this field.
I have just recently ordered the Set Lighting Technician book ( waiting in the mail) but in the meantime, can someone suggest me some kind of "breakdown" of some of the major parts that I can get start researching/reading on upon?



Such as: 3-phase power, Generator distribution...





Advice will be highly appreciated.



Thank you
 
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Whilst power distribution is important to know, generally if you're setting up a generator with distro, you'll at least be assisting the Best Boy and/or Gaffer, if not being overseen by them, and they'll help you out, tell you what to do etc.

You should definitely be well-versed in power safety, including circuits and what can/can't be run on what circuit.
But, the basics are more important for a third electric - there's no point having a cursory understanding of power distro if you can't even set up a C-stand.

So, learn proper C-stand rigging (righty-tighty), learn the names of lights (if the Gaffer asks for a Baby Baby, you want to be able to know what that is and go and grab it from the truck, rather than have to ask for clarification). Learn how to wire a Kino Flo properly (i.e. lining up the colours correctly), how to safely wire and strike an HMI etc.

The Gaffer should know how to run distro (at least in the US), but the third electric is the one he's going to ask to set up a double kino with one tungsten and one daylight tube and 250 diffusion over in position x.

Make sure you know how to coil cables properly, but most of all make sure you know your circuits - if you're the one running power, you don't want to end up running a 1.2k HMI and a Blondie off the same circuit, even accidentally. You need to know that they need seperate circuits, where the most likely place that seperate circuits would be found (i.e. other rooms, other side of the room etc.) and also, sometimes, how long cables runs are going to affect line loss.
 
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