Responsibility
The clapper loader typically has a very high responsibility level on any given set, because they are more or less the only person on set who directly and physically oversees the state of the undeveloped negative. The loader is the only person who actually handles the negative between the manufacturer and the laboratory, and thus can easily render an entire day's work useless if the film is handled improperly. Additionally, the loader usually is in charge of keeping all records with regard to the film stock from when it is received until when it is sent out to the lab; if this information is miscommunicated or missing, this too can destroy an expensive shoot. Furthermore, the loader usually has much more to do in addition to these tasks. Noted Director of Photography Oliver Stapleton has written on his website:
| “ | The LOADER loads the camera, oddly enough, with film made by either Kodak or Fuji. (Agfa used to make film but gave up, which was a shame. Now they only make film for Prints.) Loading may not sound like much of a job, but in actuality it is very important. If the wrong film is in the camera, or if it gets loaded twice, or lost, or put in the wrong can, then the scene which corresponded to: Scene 56 - The Army advanced over the hill, the jets dropped their bombs, and the volcano erupted... could be lost. When this happens the Loader can become deeply unpopular very quickly. Kubrick fired one loader I know on his first day of work for walking across the set holding a magazine upside down. Not Kubrick’s first day of work - the Loader's. This was a trifle harsh, but there is a right way to do the job, and the rules are there for a very good reason. If you screw up the minimum cost is about $20,000 and the max any figure you might care to imagine. | ” |
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