In short: A clapper loader, or second assistant camera technician, works under the focus puller. They slate each take, keep the camera reports, keep the media and batteries ready and pack the kit away at the end of the day.author: james
A clapper loader is the second assistant camera technician, the person who slates each take and keeps the media and batteries running for the camera team. They work under the focus puller and alongside the camera operator, and they keep the record that the edit depends on.
What a clapper loader does on a shoot day
The clapper loader starts the day by setting up a sheltered base for the camera kit. They unpack and organise the kit, mark it up, acclimatise the lenses and hand the first assistant the gear they need. Then the work runs through the day:
- Slate the takes. They prepare and operate the clapperboard or digital slate, call the take clearly and keep the slate in sync with sound.
- Fill in the reports. They copy slate information onto the camera reports and check that selected takes match the script supervisor's notes.
- Keep media and batteries going. They make sure there are loaded magazines or cards and charged batteries, and they change batteries with as little disruption as possible.
- Hand over the files. On digital shoots they pass the media and supporting information to the digital imaging technician. On film they handle the magazines and rushes.
- Help the set-up. They rig monitors out of shot, manage cables safely, set marks for the actors and, when the focus puller asks, measure distances.
At the end of the day they clean the equipment, repack it into its flight cases against the inventory and sort out any mismatch with the production.
Who they work with
The clapper loader works under the first assistant camera technician. They also liaise with the camera operator, the director of photography, the script supervisor, the sound team and production. On larger jobs they may hand tasks to camera trainees. On digital work they pass media to the digital imaging technician.
Kit and skills
The kit is a clapperboard or digital slate, the camera reports, media, spare batteries, cables, monitors and the camera flight cases. ScreenSkills lists the skills needed as:
- Field testing within their own expertise, and rigging monitors.
- Managing batteries and media without losing a take.
- Careful record keeping, because the edit depends on it.
- Clear communication, teamwork and calm under pressure.
How to become a clapper loader
There is no single route. Most clapper loaders start as camera trainees, and the ScreenSkills camera trainee profile describes that first step. Trainees work most closely with the second AC, and their duties include preparing camera kit, keeping camera logs and setting up monitors and wireless systems. After enough days as a trainee, people are put up to clapper loader.
The routes into the camera trainee role are these:
- ScreenSkills Trainee Finder. Apply to be a camera trainee or floor runner through the scheme.
- Kit companies. Working as a kit runner or driver teaches the equipment and builds contacts quickly.
- Education. A-levels or Highers that combine art, maths and physics help, as does a Level 3 vocational qualification in a creative subject. A degree is optional.
- Experience. A showreel, work experience and time at events and online groups all help people get noticed.
- Bectu. Bectu is the union for people working in screen. Joining once you are getting paid work gives you access to its advice, and its published rate cards for the camera department show what the rate for the job should be.
Do you need one on a small shoot?
- A single-camera talking head: no. The camera operator or the producer can slate and log the takes.
- A one-day shoot with one camera and a few set-ups: usually not, unless the day is packed with media or kit.
- A multi-day shoot, several cameras or a lot of kit to pack and return: yes. The clapper loader keeps the record and the batteries in order, which frees the focus puller to focus.
If you need a camera team, the camera crew hire page explains how crew is booked with the studio.
Related roles
Sources
- ScreenSkills, Second assistant camera technician / clapper loader skills checklist, read 5 November 2026
- ScreenSkills, Camera trainee (camera assistant), film and TV drama job profile, read 5 November 2026
Related guides
Questions we get asked
What does a clapper loader do on a film set?
The clapper loader slates each take with the clapperboard or digital slate, fills in the camera reports, keeps the media and batteries ready and keeps the kit in order. They work under the first assistant camera technician, the focus puller.
Is a clapper loader the same as a focus puller?
No. The focus puller, or first assistant camera technician, handles focus and lens setup. The clapper loader is the second assistant camera technician and supports the focus puller with slates, logs, media and batteries.
Do you need a clapper loader on a small shoot?
Not on a single-camera interview. A dedicated clapper loader earns their place when a shoot runs over several days, uses more than one camera or has a lot of kit and media to manage.
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