The first entry of Jenelle Pearring’s blog “A Light and Camera Life.” 

Thus far in my career as a Cinematographer, the most exciting part by far has been the exploration, realizations, and the “new.” In short, the education and learning.  

I have learned the way most people in this industry do:  failing miserably in front of many. 

As a second camera assistant, I used the letter “i” on a slate.  I called out “Scene 7 Insect, Take 1.”  My clever homage to the butterfly in the scene was eclipsed by the loud sound of facepalms throughout the set.  I was hurriedly scolded by the AD, DP, Camera Operator, First Assistant Camera, and some other voice over my walkie that I still can’t place.  

Nobody said “We don’t use the letters ‘i’ or ‘o’ because they look like ‘1’ or ‘0’ when I was in film school.  I haven’t seen that written down in a book or explained on an internet forum.  

I learned because I called out the wrong thing in front of 25 people and was mortified by my ignorance. 

So I want to share what I know, but more importantly, I want to explore what I don’t.