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How To Find A Good Family Law Attorney

Do’s and Don’ts for Divorce

So, your “I do” turned out to be a big “don’t,” and now the honeymoon is over. Before you quit, there are still some definite do’s and don’ts you’ll should follow if you want to end this (legally binding) relationship.  Remember, you survived the marriage, now it’s time to make it through the divorce.  Take a few deep breaths and keep the following list handy

Hire an experienced divorce attorney.

There is a reason this is number one on the list: it is the most important. The right lawyer will advocate for you and your kids in the courtroom, and make sure any and all legal filings are done properly and on time. When you try to represent yourself (appear “pro se,” meaning “on one’s own behalf”), you cripple yourself. This is especially true if your spouse has hired a lawyer. Being familiar with the process and the workings of the court is an enormous, almost unbeatable advantage.

Live your life!

Too many people let divorce consume them completely. That way lies madness (or at least an inflated liquor store bill). It is important to stay in touch with your friends: make time to play a game or two with your tennis pals, your poker or mahjong buddies, your colleagues or anyone else that you spend time with when DIVORCE isn’t part of the picture.

Realize that divorce happens to the best of us.

In fact, these days it seems to happen to most of us. Divorces happen for so many reasons they are almost uncountable. Sometimes you see it coming a long way off and sometimes it hits you like a freight train out of nowhere, plowing through your life and leaving you shell-shocked. However it happened, remember, though the marriage might have been flawed, you aren’t.

Keep spending to a minimum.

This one comes as a surprise to many—and that is exactly why it is so important. Divorce is something most people have never budgeted for. However your new lifestyle means new expenses. You’ll use extra gas for trips for visitation and appointments with lawyers.

Things Most Lawyers Won’t Tell You

We’ve all heard horror stories from the legal trenches…. Your lawyer fails to show up, he doesn’t make an objection when it’s the most important moment, he or she loses your big case for you… The list can go on and on. From the trenches of the largest municipal court system in the nation

Pay Your Attorney As You Have Agreed To

When money comes between you and your lawyer, you are less likely to get your attorney’s attention, best performance, or sympathy. Would you blow off your dentist after he’s cleaned your teeth? NO, you have to make payment then and there. Would you walk out of the grocery store without paying? No, you have to pay then and there. Would you forget your checkbook on the day of trial? You would be surprised just how many people think attorneys can and should wait

Tell the Truth

If your lawyer doubts you in the consultation, or doesn’t think you have a case, while that may change over time, getting over an initial disbelief is very hard. You have to prove your case. Your attorney is not your witness. They are your advocate – but you are responsible for coming up with proof.

Dress Appropriately

When your lawyer tells you to come to court or to a deposition – dress up for God’s sake. When I see people at the courthouse looking like they are on their way to a nightclub, I know that they are a) low-class; b) going to lose their case; and c) their ego got in the way. If I can see your boobs, so can the judge. If the judge can see your boobs, he’s not listening to your story.

Things Can Take a Long Time

It’s expensive because we have to wait in line too. Going to court is more than dressing up in a fancy suit and knowing what papers to fill out. Attorneys have to wait in line just like the “regular folk” and we are at the mercy of the court staff just like everyone else. If you get a bill that includes time spent waiting in court, it’s not usually exaggerated. While some people may stretch the truth – if you want to see whether I had to wait an hour for the case to get called, then just come with me to court

CAN YOU GET A DIVORCE WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY?

Can you handle your own divorce proceedings with no attorney involvement? In many cases, you certainly can. In fact, if there are no minor children of the marriage and you own very limited assets, most attorneys would probably agree that this might be the best solution, especially if it is an amicable divorce.

If you do choose to represent yourself, dissolution packets are available at district court clerks’ offices for a small fee. The packets include all the basic pleadings that are required in a dissolution action. Instructions are also included.

What can a lawyer do for me that I can’t do myself?

The attorney’s role in a dissolution case is far more complex then knowing how to read and apply the law. When you retain an attorney, you are paying for her expertise in many areas. An effective family law attorney will not only know which statutes to apply to your case to achieve an “equitable” settlement, but she will also typically have had years of experience dealing with the complexities involved in a dissolution of marriage proceeding, including parenting issues, real estate, pensions, investment plans, tax laws, evaluating assets, etc. Moreover, if the attorney does not have first hand knowledge of a particularly difficult issue, she will typically have the resources to quickly find someone who does.

In addition, a good attorney will maintain emotional distance and keep a “level head” in the midst of the emotional turmoil of divorce. Because of the intense emotional factor, even divorce attorneys are known to retain other attorneys to represent them through a divorce. It is far too often that parties find themselves agreeing to terms of a separation agreement just to “get the divorce over with” because they want to move off the emotionally uncomfortable spot they are on.

“But my cousin’s neighbor’s aunt told me……”

We all know someone, or more likely several people, who have been through the divorce process. Many of these individuals have well-intentioned advice regarding your situation. Some people may even believe they can tell you what the outcome of your divorce should be and that you should not settle for anything different. Your friends and family may try to tell you what “the law” is regarding settlement and custody disputes, or they may urge you to find the nastiest, most aggressive attorney money can buy. While it is understandable that these individuals want to help you, you should proceed with caution when taking the legal “advice” of a non-attorney.

Do Character Witnesses Matter in Family Law Cases?

Expert witnesses play a significant part in most divorce and family law cases, which leads people to discuss the significance in character witnesses. Do they help? This question leads to an important and necessary discussion. It’s very common that often parties come to their divorce or family law attorney with a character witness already in mind.

In a divorce case, a character witness may be a party who testifies about the moral fitness or personal qualities of a party to a divorce. But in some jurisdictions, a character witness in a divorce case cannot be a family member. Rather, the witness must be a friend, colleague or personal associate who knows about the personal qualities of the party about whom he or she testifies. Friends and family are the most common types of character witnesses. Oftentimes parties believe that having their mother, father, sibling, or good friend up on the stand will be most helpful to their case.

So is that true? The honest truth is that it won’t get you very far because the obvious reason of asking a friend or relative to speak on your behalf, is because they’re going to have good things to say about you. This doesn’t prove to be very impressive for a judge. The judge does not really need to hear that you are a nice person. The judge is going to be more interested in a description of everyday life, such as cooking and cleaning when the child is with you. The judge will want someone to talk about how you interact with your child, how you discipline the child and how you talk about the other parent in front of your child.

So, if having a friend or family member as your character witness is your best option there are a few things you can do to improve the possibility of it helping your case. Instead of a character witness taking the stand to list off your best qualities one by one, tell a story instead. A story can tell so much about a person, and allows the judge and anyone else in the court room to form their own opinion about someone instead of being told what to think. Although this may still make a character witness appear to be biased, it will prove to be more helpful for your case.

Telling the right kind of story is extremely important as well. You don’t want to tell a story that seems as if you’re testifying directly for the character of the party. Instead, you want to tell a story that simply tells that you witnessed a certain behavior with your own eyes or ears, which makes you a witness, and not just someone’s friend. Telling the right kind of stories is vital, it needs to be a time that good parenting skills were clearly shown, and they were shown on their own and naturally. The judge is more likely to form their own opinion, when they have something to go off that allows them to consider more than one conclusion.

What is Family Law?

Family law is the area of law that addresses family relationships. It includes creating family relationships and breaking them through divorce and termination of parental rights. Family law addresses adoption, contested custody of children and the child support obligations that result. Because family law is the practice of law that relates to relationships and children, it can be one of the most emotional areas of law. Family lawyers are involved in very personal aspects of their client’s lives

Divorce

Divorce is the process of breaking the bonds of matrimony. A marriage is a contract. When parties get married, they form a legal relationship in the eyes of the state. When they no longer wish to have this relationship, they must file court papers in order to ask for a divorce.

Divorce is civil litigation

Divorce cases are heard in state court. It’s a lot like other forms of civil litigation. You may work to gather evidence using civil discovery including depositions, interrogatories and subpoenas. You might participate in conflict resolution including mediation sessions. While most divorce cases settle before trial, there’s a chance that you might try your case in court.

Alimony and spousal support

One of the hot button issues in a divorce case is often alimony and spousal support. Some states use a formula in order to determine the amount of support. In other cases, it’s left to the judge’s discretion. Even in cases where the court uses a formula, it’s still important to make sure that the court uses the proper inputs in order to arrive at the correct amount of support

Pre and post-nuptial agreements

A prenuptial agreement is a contract that parties sign before they get married. Prenuptial agreements usually list who gets what in the event that the parties get divorced. There are some things that can’t be included in a prenuptial agreement like child custody and child support agreements. Otherwise, the parties can create an agreement that outlines things like separate property, distribution of the assets and spousal support in the event of a divorce. When the parties enter into this kind of agreement after they get married, it’s a post nuptial agreement.

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How Does A Loading Services Router Work

Tips To Lower Your Freight Costs

If you ship goods, freight costs are a significant part of your company’s expenses. Choosing the best mode of transportation for your company, understanding how cargo is moved through the supply-chain, and improving supply-chain visibility, will all help you to save money.

DON’T CATEGORIZE EVERY SHIPMENT AS URGENT.

Whether you’re shipping internationally or nationally, it’s important to do your research and find the best options. It’s important to know which shipping method will be most cost-effective.

Ask yourself: What are current freight market trends? What should you be aware of within the current market?

Make sure your logistics provider is informed on current and upcoming market news, such as a general rate increase (GRI) or upcoming unexpected market changes. For example, at times, freight rates reach their peak season, like prior to Chinese New Year. During this time, all ocean carriers work with full capacity because many importers rush their goods before China closes for a long holiday.

Overall, make sure you are aware of the market – managing your production time before the peak season, and shipping your cargo when freight rates are lower, can save you a lot of money.

MAXIMIZE YOUR LOADS.

The more boxes/products you load in an ocean container, the less you pay for each product. Ocean carriers charge per-container from point A to point B. You pay for the container, so you should max out the available space in your container. There is a small ocean freight cost difference between 20″ and 40”/40HQ. Using a 40HQ container instead of a 20” one is a big savings, since you can double the product you are loading with just a small cost difference.

The 4 most-common container sizes used for ocean transportation are 20″, 40″, 40HQ, and 45HQ. Below is the typical estimated CBM you can fit in to a container:

20” – 27 CBM

40” – 57 CBM

40HQ – 67 CBM

45HQ – 78 CBM

BUY FOB.

When you buy FOB, you control the freight and freight cost. You will have a better chance of locking in a more competitive rate. If your term is CIF, then it is your supplier’s responsibility to arrange freight to the destination port. If the supplier pays the freight, they will add the cost of transportation on top of the product selling price. Why not take control of the freight since it will be part of your landed cost?

CHOOSE THE RIGHT TRANSPORTATION METHOD.

You can use a mix of transportation if necessary. Combinations of air, ocean, and ground transportation can prove to reduce transportation time, while reducing cost. International transportation can be a complex mode of serious shipping, or it can be a simple way of moving cargo from point A to point B. Choosing the most cost-efficient and timely transportation mode is critical. The most common methods of freight transportation are air, ocean, truck + air, and ocean + rail. Discuss these different options with your logistics partner to ensure you are shipping your cargo at the lowest overall cost.

Explore Opportunities To Consolidate Shipments

Less-than-Truckload (LTL) shipments are a convenient option for smaller weight. But if you can manage to consolidate shipments of different products or shipments for different customers into one shipment, you can save money by using more full-truckload shipping (FTL).

AUTOMATE YOUR LOGISTICS

If you can track your shipments from when they leave your door to when they are received by your customer, you can spot problem areas in your transportation logistics. It will also give you real-time information about unexpected delays, allowing you to react faster and more cost-effectively.

CONSIDER WAREHOUSING SERVICES

If you do a lot of shipping from the same point A to the same point B, especially over a long distance, it may be an option to warehouse goods closer to your customers and reduce your transportation costs.

Truckload vs. Less than Truckload: What’s the difference?

Deciding between less than truckload (LTL) shipping and full truckload (TL) shipping is often a hard choice when you aren’t sure of your options. A lot of factors weigh into freight shipping, and an assessment of each element can steer you toward the most efficient method based on your particular needs. Factors like freight dimensions (such as length, width and height), freight classification and special services are all things to consider when choosing a shipping method.

We’ve outlined some of the fundamental differences of truckload vs less than truckload freight so shippers can book with confidence.

What are less than truckload (LTL) and full truckload (TL)?

Truckload and less than truckload are both excellent options, but what are they? The transport of freight that does not require the entire space of a truck is also known as less than truckload (LTL) shipping, whereas full truckload (TL) shipments take up the space or weight limit of an entire trailer. Depending on your specific freight requirements, one option is likely better suited than the other.

A closer look at less than truckload (LTL) shipping.

Less than truckload (LTL) shipping allows multiple shippers to share space on the same truck. It is the more cost efficient option of the two, with multiple companies paying for their portion of trailer space. The less than truckload (LTL) shipping route is also ideal for businesses who have freight shipments less than 15,000 pounds.

To protect items while in transit, it is essential to consolidate goods into large, crated or palletized packages. It is important to prepare the shipment to endure handling during transfer to multiple trailers before it arrives at the consignee or destination so that freight doesn’t become damaged.

A closer look at full truckload (TL) shipping.

If less than truckload shipping doesn’t meet your needs, then full truckload shipping might be for you. Shippers use full truckload when:

  • There are enough items to fill an entire truck.
  • The customer prefers a whole truck dedicated to their goods.
  • The freight is time sensitive.
  • The weight makes it more cost effective than less than truckload.

With TL, shipments typically travel on only one truck with one destination, so delivery time estimates are often accurate and fast in comparison to LTL shipping.

The chance of possible damage to items during transit also decreases since there is less handling of the freight at multiple stops. Truckload also makes more sense when the freight weighs more than 15,000 pounds, or the company has more than 10 pallets worth of goods to transport.

How To Lower Truck Freight Shipping Cost

Surprisingly, many people are not aware that shipping costs are flexible. We assume most of the time that the rates are the same every time. For a very long time, people have paid a fixed price. However, many are realizing that they can negotiate the prices. There are various simple ways in which one can use to lower their shipping budgets. The methods help you obtain a lesser amount while maintaining the dignity of your business. You will manage to save a lot of money and time by lowering your truck freight shipping cost.

Ship Your Goods During The Off-Peak Season

One of the things you have to do is asses your business. Some questions to check and put into consideration include:

• What type of goods are you shipping?

• What is the nature of the freight you are transporting?

The above questions will determine what time you need to transport your goods. Truck freight shipping cost for perishable goods are hard to wait until the off-peak days. However, if your loads are non-perishable, it is possible for you to transport them earlier or later when prices are low. The urgency in which you need to ship the products is also another crucial element. Truck freight shipping cost can potentially increase dramatically with a poorly managed logistics program. If the freight shipment is not urgent, you can wait till off-peak to transport the load. Most off-pick days are on Friday when the shipping companies are desperately looking for customers. You will have an opportunity to bargain the cost of transportation.

Develop A Healthy Relationship With The Shipping Carriers

Finding a specific company to deal with your freight shipping needs can be hard at times. However, when you find one, make sure you stick to them. Create meaningful friendships that will help your business. Holding on to one carrier builds trust and loyalty. You will be able to enjoy the freight services at a reduced truck freight shipping cost because they know you. Consistency is an attribute that will secure you an affordable contract that is different from other unreliable customers. The company will inform you of the best times to ship and consider you first in giving when securing a truck.

Inform Yourself About The Truck Freight Shipping Industry

It is essential to take the responsibility of knowing the various prices of your freight. The knowledge may help protect you from carriers who may want to take advantage of you. Do not leave the responsibility solely to the transportation trucking company. You can take charge by subscribing to trade magazines and informative blogs. Also, work with a quality freight broker, freight brokers can be indispensable to your businesses success. A quality and trusted freight broker can help you secure trucks in competitive environments. The more informed you are the better decisions can be made. Having relevant information will help you plan early and choose a time when trucking prices may be at a discount.

Freight shipping definition.

Freight shipping is the process of transporting commodities, goods and cargo by land, sea or air. Common types of freight shipping over the road include truckload, less than truckload (LTL) and intermodal. Freight itself can be defined as the goods transported by truck, train, ship or plane. The means of transport commonly associated with freight shipping are trucks, railroad cars and large ships carrying containers.

Benefits of freight shipping.

Freight shipping is key for getting goods to a destination on time, safely and in a cost-effective manner. Whether shipping by land, sea or air, there are a number of benefits to consider:

  • Top carriers: When shipping important freight, you want to make sure your goods arrive safely and on-time. Online freight service providers work with high quality contract carriers.
  • Save on shipping costs: Businesses may not have adequate time to research carriers, get quotes and find the best rates for their freight. We can help you find competitive rates from qualified contract carriers.
  • On time freight: When you have time sensitive freight, you may have to get it to your customers within a tight delivery window. With the variety of freight shipping service levels available, you can select the method that best fits your time frame.
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Career Options For Tax Preparation

Get help with tax

Get help from HMRC

For simple queries, you can contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). You should also contact them in the first instance if you:

can’t pay your tax bill on time

disagree with a tax decision

have additional needs, for example a disability or you don’t speak English

If you’re on a low income

If HMRC can’t help and you’re on a low income (up to about £380 a week), you may be able to get free professional advice. This includes help with filling in forms and what to do if you owe money to HMRC.

Get help from family or friends

You can give permission to a friend or family member (a ‘trusted helper’) to deal with HMRC on your behalf for things like viewing your Income Tax estimate, talking to HMRC or helping you to fill in forms

Hiring a professional

An accountant or tax adviser may be able to help you with your tax. You’ll need to authorise an accountant or tax adviser to deal with HMRC for you.

Tax Return Due Diligence: Basic Considerations

Due diligence, in the context of tax return preparation, is the diligence or care that a reasonable preparer would use under the same circumstances. It is an objective standard.

Under the general due diligence standards set out in the regulations, the preparer can on most occasions rely in good faith and without verification on information provided by the client or third parties and contained in previously filed returns. However, in some situations the preparer will be required to make further inquiries to verify the accuracy and completeness of the information provided to meet the due diligence requirements.

The Code and regulations provide for enhanced due diligence requirements with respect to claims for the earned income tax credit. Preparers are required to exercise due diligence in determining whether a client has met the requirements for reporting foreign bank and other financial accounts.

a critical plot point is the question of a hospital’s due diligence and negligence. A patient at the hospital was in a vegetative state, and the family was suing the hospital over whether its behavior and the circumstances surrounding the administration of anesthesia were appropriate. There is further controversy over the documentation as to whether the admitting nurse “did the right thing” in checking into whether the patient had eaten anything outside the appropriate time frame for safely administering anesthesia. Did the hospital do the right thing? What would a normal and prudent medical staff do under the circumstances? What was the role of documentation in the determination of the hospital’s liability?

While the situation may not have the same drama as The Verdict, a tax professional may be asked the same types of questions if something goes awry and there is a mistake on a return or an understatement of tax. With the perspective of hindsight, did the tax return preparer do the right thing? What exactly is the right thing to do in determining a tax return position? Did the preparer apply the law appropriately to the facts? Did he or she have all the relevant facts? What effort is required of a reasonable and prudent preparer to obtain the pertinent facts? What should the preparer document in the client’s file?

Tax Preparation Guide – What to Bring When You Do Your Taxes

The number one question that most taxpayers ask when getting their taxes prepared by a credentialed tax preparer is, “What do we need to bring?” When choosing to have someone else prepare your taxes for you, it can be beneficial to prepare the documents you will need in advance in order to help your preparer get you the best return possible.

Proof of Identity

The IRS requires each tax preparer to physically see a taxpayer’s social security card and another form of ID before we can file your taxes for you. The other form of ID can be a driver’s license, passport, or any other form of ID that contains your picture. Having these forms of ID is how we make sure the return is correct for the right person.The IRS requires each tax preparer to physically see a taxpayer’s social security card and another form of ID before we can file your taxes for you. The other form of ID can be a driver’s license, passport, or any other form of ID that contains your picture. Having these forms of ID is how we make sure the return is correct for the right person.

The person bringing these documents in needs to be listed as one of the taxpayers on the tax return. We will match the social security card and driver’s license to the taxpayer providing the documents in order to confirm their identity for security purposes. Along with your own proofs of identity, you will need to bring your spouse’s and children’s social security cards as well. This allows us to check that the information you provided is correct.

Nine times out of ten you are going to give us the right spelling of your kids’ names, your name, the exact social security number, and all the correct information we need. It’s that one out of ten moment where you get overwhelmed by your taxes and end up writing down a nickname for your child that doesn’t match their legal name. Then your return gets rejected because the IRS immediately does a legal name and social security match for everyone on your tax return.

Bringing these documents are not only required for us to do your taxes, but it will save time and money in the long run. Bring these documents in with you and we will make sure they match all the information you provided us with so we can prevent any problems later. Anywhere you go, they will and should ask you for this information. We are all going through the same information in order to make sure everything is accurate up front.

The Accountant’s Guide to All Things Tax Prep

Let’s get right to it. One of the keys of successful tax preparation has nothing to do with filling out forms or itemizing deductions. You also have to be able to work efficiently under pressure while weathering the yearly force of nature we call Tax Season. That’s no simple task.

Preparing for Tax Season

Orchestrating a successful tax season begins long before the IRS starts accepting returns at the end of January. There are dozens of tasks that need doing in order to prepare for tax season, from stocking the materials closet to hiring any extra help you might need. Here are a few less obvious things you might add to your pre-tax season preparation list.

Audit Your Process

Chances are you’ve probably prepared enough tax returns that you have the the process down to a science. You know what you need to do to get the job done, but that doesn’t mean everyone on your team does. It also doesn’t mean that your working pace isn’t getting slowed down by tedious tasks such as delegating work, holding meetings, and checking the statuses of different projects.

Offer Tax Planning Early

Your clients will really benefit from having a planning session about lowering their taxable income by implementing year-end strategies. For example, some business owners don’t know that they can choose to delay billing for certain work or services done late in the year. That way, they receive the payment in the following year, thus lowering their tax liability for that current year. Without your help, your clients are likely unaware of these and many other actions they can take toward the end of the year.

Tax planning is a year-round activity where you can work with your clients to make plans and get organized. By getting helping your clients plan early, you’ll give them the tools they need to be far more prepared when tax season rolls around.

Things You Can Do Now to Get Ready for Tax Season

Every year you promise yourself that this will be the year you file your taxes early. And every year you’re rushing to file your return by midnight on April 15th.

While it doesn’t matter to the IRS whether you file on February 1st or April 15th, there are some distinct advantages to getting your taxes done early. For starters, if you’re owed a refund, the sooner you file, the sooner you’ll get your refund money in your bank account. Plus, filing early may help lessen the risk of tax identity theft: the sooner you file, the less time is available for a thief to file a fraudulent return using your personal details.

Get last year’s tax return

Don’t start your tax planning from scratch. There’s a lot of information which carries over from year to year. You can save yourself some time and shortcut the prep process by first digging out last year’s return.

Do a paycheck checkup

Does your employer withhold taxes from your paycheck each month? It’s important to make sure that your employer is withholding enough taxes. This way you’re not stuck with a big tax bill and penalties when tax time rolls around.

Make a list of all sources of income

You may have multiple sources of income and they’ll all need to be included on your return when you file. While you won’t have totals or official forms yet, it’s a good idea to make a list of your sources of income so that when tax time rolls around, you have all the documents you need to collect.

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Cockroaches Control With Bait

American Cockroaches

WHAT IS AN AMERICAN COCKROACH?

They generally live outdoors in warm, moist areas like under mulch, log piles and under flower beds but will make their way indoors to look for food and water.

WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?

Adults can grow to be more than 2 inches in length; they are generally a reddish-brown to mahogany color. The area behind their head has a yellow band around it; they also have fully developed wings and are able to fly.

DO AMERICAN COCKROACHES BITE?

They are capable of biting but rarely, if ever, do. If bitten it should not present a problem unless the bite becomes infected.

ARE AMERICAN COCKROACHES DANGEROUS?

While they do not bite or sting they do feed and live in areas that harbor dangerous bacteria, such as bathrooms, drains, and dumpsters. The American cockroach (like other roaches) carries the bacteria on their body and can contaminate food as well as areas where food is prepared. The bacteria can cause vomiting, fever, diarrhea and even transmit Salmonella. This type of roach sheds its skin and leaves excrement behind and in some people the allergens from those will cause severe asthma attacks.

WHAT ARE SIGNS OF AN AMERICAN COCKROACH INFESTATION?

American cockroaches are mostly active at night when they are foraging for food and water. During the day they will hide in cracks and crevices in walls and through the home or business they are infesting. If there is a heavy population you may see them scurrying around or even flying about during the day when disturbed. You may also find their feces in kitchen areas inside the drawers and cabinets, behind appliances and in basements, their excrement resembling coffee grounds. They also secrete an odor that may cause a musty smell in the area they are infesting.

EVERY HOMEOWNER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT COCKROACHES

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

There are some pretty interesting facts you can learn about cockroaches by searching the internet. You can find out that cockroaches can resist high levels of radiation and that they are likely to be one of the few creatures that will survive a global thermonuclear war. You can learn that drowning a cockroach is extremely difficult because they can hold their breath for over a half an hour, or that a roach can survive for around a week without its head because it breathes through its body. While these are neat facts, they’re not going to help you protect your family from these dirty pests–but here are some that will.

Cockroaches Are A Health Threat

We all know cockroaches are filthy but you might not know the half of it. Are you aware that cockroaches are linked to the spread of 33 kinds of bacteria, 2 of the most widely recognizable being Salmonella and E. coli? When these insects get into a man-made structure, that quickly presents a health risk.

Do you know that cockroaches can spread 6 types of parasitic worms? They go by names like tapeworm, roundworm, hookworm, pinworm, whipworm, and other variations of these. When cockroaches get into stored food, they can do more than taint it in a way that will cause diarrhea or vomiting. They can introduce these worms which are able to live in the intestinal tract of humans and create a whole host of medical issues.

Cockroaches Are Resourceful

A roach can compact its body to squeeze through gaps much thinner than their height. They can scale walls and walk across ceilings that seem smooth to the naked eye. Some roaches are even able to fly. If you’re trying to keep this insect out of your home, you’re going to have a hard time doing it without some form of pest control product. And, when cockroaches get inside, newly hatched roaches can be small enough to slip through the holes in your wall outlet. That means, they’re going to have no problem spreading.

Cockroaches Are Hard To Kill

Radiation isn’t the only thing that cockroaches are able to resist. They have the ability to grow a tolerance for pesticides. This resistance to insecticide makes them a challenge to control without training and experience in modern pest management protocols. Plus, killing cockroaches doesn’t arrest a cockroach infestation. You can kill cockroaches all day, every day, and still have these insects crawling around inside your home.

Reasons You May Find Roaches in Your Home and How to Prevent It

Not only can spotting a roach in your home be an unsettling sight, but it may even be a sign of an underlying infestation. If not properly eliminated from your home, roaches are a persistent pest that can easily multiply when living in the right environment. Regardless of how many times you’ve cleaned your home, you just can’t seem to get rid of them

What Are the Signs of a Cockroach Problem?

Cockroaches are nocturnal pests, meaning that you most likely see signs of an infestation during the day. During the day, cockroaches will hide away in exposed cracks or any other secure hiding places that your home may provide.

The good news is that while you may not spot a live roach during the daytime, you can find other signs of an infestation when the sun is up. These signs include:

Roach droppings (this looks like spilled grounds of coffee)

Bodies of dead roaches

Egg casings that have an oval shape

Why Are There Roaches in My Clean Home?

Roaches aren’t picky visitors when it comes to finding a sustainable home for them to survive and reproduce in.

A Collection of Trash

A great way to make sure that roaches don’t continue to breed in your home is to remove all exposed trash from your home. Cockroaches love to breed on newspapers and cardboard boxes.

Non-Toxic Tips for Ridding Your Home of Roaches

Finding roaches in your home is never fun, and getting rid of them can be quite the chore. If you’ve got a bad infestation, you’ll likely have to call in a professional exterminator to wipe out the problem, but what if you’re just seeing the occasional bug in the kitchen? Most store-bought sprays and traps are full of toxic ingredients, so if you’ve got pets or kids, dealing with roaches is especially concerning. Fortunately, there are natural, safe ways to rid your home of roaches and keep them from coming back.

Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a white powder made from the fossilized remains of diatoms, which are a type of unicellular, hard-shelled algae. It’s found in many common household products, and if you buy food grade diatomaceous earth, it’s safe for pets and people—just not for roaches, as the powder destroys their exoskeletons. Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned your apartment and cleared or sealed up any possible roach food sources like crumbs, trash, or easily accessible pet food, mix a little cocoa powder or flour with the diatomaceous earth, and lightly dust it where you’ve seen roaches in your home to get rid of them. Roaches will also take the bait back to the nest to feed others, fighting your pesky pest problem at the source.

Spray Essential Oils

Research has found that some essential oils—especially peppermint oil—are effective at repelling roaches. Peppermint oil can also be used as a natural insecticide, although not in the same ways as diatomaceous earth. Leaving mint oil out or spritzing it around won’t kill roaches that come in its path, rather, it’ll just keep them away. But if you spray a peppermint oil on a roach when you see one, it can be an effective and natural alternative to using commercial roach sprays. To repel roaches, try mixing two parts water with one part white vinegar and 10 drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle, and spritz it around the affected areas of your apartment.

Strategically Place Catnip

That’s right, your feline friend’s favorite herb is actually a natural roach repellent. Roaches are sensitive to the chemical nepetalactone, which is the active ingredient in catnip. (Catnip is also a member of the mint family, so this should come as no surprise!) Placing small satchels of catnip around the areas of your home where you’ve seen roaches should keep them at bay. Catnip won’t kill roaches, but it’s a great option for preventing them from coming back after you’ve finally gotten rid of them.

Cockroaches – pest control

Cockroaches belong to the insect order Blattodea. There are over 4000 species of cockroaches worldwide, only a few of which are considered major pests. The high pest status of cockroaches is largely attributed to their wide distribution, close association with humans and potential to carry disease.

The faeces of some species of cockroach contain a pheromone. These cockroaches press or smear their faeces onto surfaces to mark feeding and aggregation sites.

Conditions that favour cockroach infestations are those that provide abundant food, water and shelter. Cockroaches eat virtually any animal or vegetable material, including paper, fabric, leather, starches and grease particles.

Cockroaches are generally nocturnal. Any active cockroaches observed during the day are often indicative of a large infestation. Cockroaches are gregarious (they congregate together), and frequently groom themselves. This behaviour is exploited by pesticides such as dusts that come in contact with the feet or body of the cockroach and are ingested during grooming.

Cockroach eggs are enclosed in a purse-shaped egg case, which may be carried, dropped or glued to a surface. When hatched, the nymphs congregate with adult cockroaches and mature after a number of moults. The number of nymphal moults, time taken for maturation and the adult lifespan depends on the species of cockroach.

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What To Look For During Your Electrical Home Inspection

What to Think About When Getting an Electrical Home Inspection

An electrical home inspection is one of the most important things homeowners can do to ensure the safety of anyone who steps foot inside their home. Not only do electrical safety inspections provide peace of mind, but can save thousands of dollars in electrical nightmares.

What is an electrical home inspection?

During an electrical home inspection, a certified home inspector will thoroughly examine the status of your entire electrical system to reveal any electrical component deficiencies and ensure all electrical systems, components, and wires meet legal and safety standards. When examining your home, the inspector should operate under The National Electrical Code (NEC), an adoptable standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment in the United States. Upon completion of your electrical home inspection, they will provide you with a prioritized, detailed, checklist highlighting areas in need of immediate attention, potential upgrades, and recommendations for improvements.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) recommends you conduct an electrical home inspection if:

Your home is 40 years old or older

You purchase a pre-owned home

Your home has undergone any major renovations

You’ve added major new appliances in the last 10 years

How do I check if my home is safe from electrical hazards?

An electrical home inspection is important for the safety of your home and offers peace of mind in everything from safe operation of electrical components and electrocution prevention to recognizing outdated wiring and reducing energy costs. ESFI offers a number of resources that offer questions and tips to help you and your Raleigh electrical home inspector to identify any potential hazards, including information on electrical switches and outlets, electrical cords, lamps and appliances, and electrical panels.

We recommend that you hire a certified home inspector to provide you with a detailed, prioritized report on all areas of attention concerning your home electrical system. Don’t wait, ensure the safety of your family and friends. Once you’ve received your report, we can help with any necessary repairs.

Home Inspection Cost

A home inspection costs $336, with most homeowners spending between $278 and $399. The actual costs depend on where you’re located, as well as the size of your home. Many home inspections have a fixed price for home of up to 2,000 square feet. For every additional 500 square feet, they charge $25 extra.

Average Cost of Home Inspection

The average cost of home inspection is $336, but it varies depending on whether you own a house, condo or mobile home. Veterans Affairs inspections costs are on average as regular home inspection costs.

House Inspection Cost

A house inspection costs around $315 for homes that are between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet. Larger homes over 2,000 square feet cost $400 or more.

Condo Inspection Cost

Condo inspection costs as little as $200 for an area of less than 1,000 square feet.

Mobile Home Inspection Cost

Mobile home inspection costs $250, but if you have a double- or triple wide, it will cost more.

Home Inspection

HIABC is a self-regulating Association of professional home and property inspectors, representing all regions of British Columbia. They are committed to protecting consumers through stringent membership requirements, mandatory ongoing training programs, and detailed HIABC Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.  HIABC was instrumental in seeking provincial regulatory control of the home inspection industry which came into effect April 1, 2009.  All BC practicing home and property inspectors must now be licensed through Consumer Protection BC,  responsible for licensing and administering of regulations.

HIABC, the largest association of home inspectors in the province, has been critical of lax laws and non-existent inspection standards since our inception in 1991.  Since licensing for home inspectors was enacted in 2009, they continue to work with CPBC and the Government to close loopholes that allow insufficiently trained inspectors to conduct home inspections, and have pushed to raise standards to ensure every home buyer gets a comprehensive and accurate home inspection from the industry.

Before you buy a home, one of the things you should do is to have the home checked out by a professional home inspector. Buying a home is expensive enough as it is – why would you choose to fork over another $450 if you’re not required to? Here is what a home inspection can reveal and why you shouldn’t forgo this optional procedure.

Your first clue that a home inspection is important is that it can be used as a contingency in your purchase offer. This contingency provides that if significant defects are revealed by a home inspection, you can back out of your offer, free of penalty, within a certain timeframe. The potential problems a home can have must be pretty serious if they could allow you to walk away from such a significant contract.

Inspectors vary in experience, ability and thoroughness, but a good inspector should examine certain components of the home you want to purchase and then produce a report covering his or her findings. The typical inspection lasts two to three hours and you should be present for the inspection to get a firsthand explanation of the inspector’s findings and, if necessary, ask questions. Also, any problems the inspector uncovers will make more sense if you see them in person instead of relying solely on the snapshot photos in the report.

Electrical Inspection Services

What kind of condition is your home or business’s electric infrastructure in? Just because your lights are on and your electronic devices receive power when they are plugged in doesn’t necessarily mean that everything is fine. And unless you are a licensed electrician, the chances of you recognizing that there’s a problem with your home or business’s electrical work before the damage is done are very low. So, what can you do to protect your property from fires, shocks, surges and other electrical hazards?

Why Electrical Inspections are Important

There are plenty of home and business owners who have lived to regret their decision to get an electrical inspection. An electrical inspection is essential to ensuring the safety of your home or business.

There is never a bad time for additional peace of mind that your residential or commercial property is vulnerable to electrical hazards. So, if you want to take advantage of the best electrical inspection services the area has to offer

electrical inspection services by:

Assuring the safe operation of electrical components throughout your home and business.

Identifying common electrical mistakes by unlicensed contractors and DIY owners.

Recognizing outdated wiring like aluminum or knob and tube.

Identifying electrical wiring and components that may have degraded over time.

Spotting oversized fuses or breakers that could lead to fire.

Correcting any potential fire and safety hazards.

Adding or replacing more efficient electrical components to help save energy and reduce your monthly utility bills.

Meeting insurance risk assessment inspection requirements.

Making sure that the building’s electrical work is safe before you purchase it.

Things You Should Know About Your Home Inspection

Home inspections are a vital part of the home buying and selling process but do you know what home inspectors actually do or if a house can even fail a home inspection? Luckily, we’ve put together the top twenty most frequently asked questions about home inspections and asked the professionals to answer them. Here is everything you need to know about your home inspection.

What is a home inspection?

Without a comprehensive home inspection, you could end up paying thousands of dollars in repairs or possibly buy a house that is unsafe.

Why do I need a home inspection?

If you are planning to buy or sell a home, it is recommended that you hire a certified home inspector to conduct the inspection. This is one way to learn the condition of the home and potentially gain more negotiating power during the sale/purchase of the home.

How much is a home inspection?

Based on more than 80,000 home inspections conducted during the last year, our data shows that the average home inspection costs $358

Why can’t I do a home inspection myself?

When you’re purchasing a home there are many things to consider. From negotiating the price to understanding the resale value, the tasks can become overwhelming.

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Reasons You Should Reconsider Asphalt Shingles Roof

Use of a Sealant to Stop Asphalt Shingle Leaks

The most difficult part of repairing a roof leak is finding the source of the leak; where and how is the water making its way inside! There are a couple of techniques to help you find the source of the leak: one is nature – find the location on a rainy day or use a hose to simulate the rain! But know where the weak spots are will save you time in locating the leak.

The most common cause of roof leaks are transitional roof areas: chimney, skylights, vents, valleys and dormer areas. Quite often the flashing is not installed correctly. Flashing is sheet metal installed at any transition point on an asphalt shingled roof to prevent leaks. If the flashing is not installed correctly the asphalt shingle roof is vulnerable to leaking.

Another factor in roof leaks with asphalt shingles is the pitch of the roof. Gravity is what keeps the water rolling off the roof. If a roof has a low slope there is more potential for the slow moving water to be blown under the asphalt shingles. And there is always the potential of melting snow on a roof to pool at an ice dam area and be pushed under the asphalt shingles.

Find the Leak

The first step to sealing an asphalt shingle leak is to find it. Small leaks around nail holes or flashing can be effectively fixed with a sealant. For large leaks, such as where shingles have been blown away in large patches, an asphalt sealer is not the answer. In this case, you must replace the missing shingles.

Sealing an Asphalt Roof

Slight buckling or cracking over the entire asphalt roof surface can be sealed effectively with an acrylic formula. The acrylic is sprayed over the entire roof and will seal minor cracks, chips and slight buckling. The formula will actually seal and bond the shingles together and create a clear, ultraviolet radiation-proof film coating.

Sealant Spray

Use a sealant spray for areas where the shingles leak around flashing, gutters or vents. These work in a similar manner to acrylic sealants, but they come in a spray can and are intended for smaller areas. The spray fills in the cracks or separations where the shingles meet flashing around chimneys, vents or skylights and forms a waterproof seal. The spray can lets you target and spray seal these areas quickly and easily.

Roofing Tar

Roofing tar works best with leaks around flashing and fills in gaps, crevices and fissures around it.

Roofing tar can be spread or brushed on the affected flashing manually and can also be used where the sealant spray is used.

Roofing tar, when being applied, is not as neat as the sealant spray. It can be messy, especially with your clothes and will not come off.

The Silicone Roof Sealant

A caulk gun will have to be used in order to apply silicone roof sealant.

Silicone roof sealant is also a great option to fill in shingle cracks and leaky nail holes and is also used to repair folded or slightly lifted shingles.

A small, droplet-like amount of silicone will have to be placed with a caulk gun under the bent part of the shingle. You will then have to bend back the affected shingle into its original, proper placement, put weight on it and let the silicone dry. A bent flashing may be repaired in this manner too. When it comes to separations between the shingles and the flashings or vent or mortar, a small amount of silicon caulk will have to be pushed into it in order to cover the separation.

Preventing Future Leaks

Once you install a silicone roof coating, you receive a watertight warranty for up to 20 years. Silicone has a warranty, but leaks rarely develop. In most cases, once you install a coating, you roof will remain leak from for the full 20 year warranty term – and then some. Many roofs with a silicone roof see leak-prevention benefits long past the 20 year mark. This doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea to let your roof warranty lapse, as you never want to be out from under warranty coverage. The effectiveness of silicone roof coatings can last beyond 20 years, but you should remain covered under warranty.

Tips for Repairing a Leaky Roof

While most asphalt shingles are manufactured with the latest advancements in weather- and wind-resistance, fire safety, and long-lasting performance, even the best of them can develop problems over time. The good news is that an asphalt shingle roof is probably the easiest type to repair, since curled shingles can be flattened and re-secured, and old shingles can simply be replaced. Plus, asphalt shingles make the warning signs of a serious roofing problem readily perceptible. Follow the four steps to repairing a leaky roof outlined ahead, and you may find your problem short-lived.

1. Find the roof leak.

If you discover that your roof is leaking—most likely evident by water stains on the ceiling—note the leak’s location, then go outside with a good pair of binoculars to find the roof leak. Look to see if there are any curled, cracked, or missing shingles. Leaks can occur at any point where shingles butt, or where caulking and flashing have been compromised. End caps, the tent-shaped shingles that cover the angular peaks of the roof, can also be the source of leaks, so check those as well

2. Secure curled shingles.

Curled-back shingles, for example, can be re-secured by brushing on a coating of asphalt roofing cement or finding its equivalent compound in tubes for use with a caulk gun. When repairing a leaky roof, you’ll want to apply a generous amount of roofing cement to the underside of the shingle to make certain that the edge and corners are secured. Then press firmly to set.

Note: Shingles will be more pliable in warm weather than when it’s cold, so consider that factor when resolving problems.

3. Replace damaged or missing shingles.

If shingles are cracked, missing, or rotten, replacing them may be another simple fix for repairing a leaky roof (provided you have the replacement shingles). To remove a damaged shingle, lift the edges of the surrounding shingles and carefully remove nails with a pry bar. Once the nails are removed, the shingle should slide out. Scrape away any of the residue cement from the roof and level or remove protruding nails.

Before you attempt to replace a new shingle, round the back corners with a utility knife. This will make it easier for you to slide the shingle under the one above and align it with those on either side. Once you have it in position, lift the corners of the overlapping shingles and fasten the top of the new replacement with 6d galvanized roofing nails. Be sure to secure with nails in each corner. Last, cover the nail heads with roof cement and smooth down the overlapping shingle edges.

4. Fix flashing.

To repair leaks caused by metal flashing around chimneys and dormers, simply reseal joints using a caulk gun filled with roofing cement. If you see damage to joints previously sealed with a line of roof cement, apply a fresh new coat with a putty knife.

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Night Vision WiFi Cameras For Camera Operator

lessons I’ve learnt since becoming a freelance cameraman

I have been wanting to write an article like this for a little while now, and seeing as it’s raining outside and I have no shoots on, today seems like a good day to do it!

There are loads to resources to provide ideas and hints on the best ways to prepare yourself before throwing in the nice, secure, full-time job in the video production industry and going out into the scary world of freelancing – this article is meant to be just a small collection of tips that I have learnt over the last 3 years and how they have helped make my life easier.

Before starting cameraoperatorsydney.com I was a full-time staff cameraman & editor for around 6 years at TV stations here in Australia, as well as a few years working for a production house in London. My full-time experience proved to be invaluable experience and a way of gaining a solid set of skills behind the camera, directing and seeing the end-to-end video project journey.

Towards the end of the trip, and with hours and hours of time on the bike to think about what I wanted to do, the thought of going freelance started to take shape in my head. The beauty of traveling is that by taking yourself away from your normal life you get a fresh perspective and confidence of what you can do next.

The only bit of gear I had was a Sony A77 DSLR I had bought to take video on the cycle trip and a few lenses so I knew I would need to buy a few things. Upon returning to London I set about on day one of being a freelance cameraman  – with hardly any camera equipment, minimal contacts and not a clue how to run a business, but I had enough saved to give it a go for a few months!

THINGS VIDEO EDITORS WISH THEY COULD SAY TO CAMERA OPERATORS AND DOPS

As any experienced editor will tell you, after years of sifting through hours and hours of footage (some of it good, some of it bad, some of it very ugly), there are a few key things that anyone working behind the camera can do that make our lives much easier, the project far better, and the final result something we can all be proud of.

Of course, it’s very easy for editors to turn into armchair critics. They didn’t get up at 5 am to make the sunrise or drag heavy gear half way up a mountain, battling the elements just to get the perfect shot. But we do have the benefit of the perspective gained by leisurely skimming through the results of your hard graft. So here are 11 suggestions for things every editor wishes every camera operator always did, and hopefully they’ll improve what you get in the can, and improve the life of editors everywhere.

Shoot for the edit  – Think in terms of sequences and storytelling. Make sure you’ve got an establishing wide, an interesting reveal, close ups, movement etc. If an interviewee mentioned a specific location, item, or view, try to grab that if you can. Also think in terms of triplets. Three shots most often make for a nice sequence of cutaways – two, not so much.

Always roll  – It’s the ‘bad bits’ that we often use – re-focuses, lens whacking, snippets of background audio for filling in silences, etc. – so please don’t wave your hand in front of the camera to say that it’s no good. We might have a use for it anyway.

Don’t always roll  – Editors don’t love it when they have to copy, ingest, transcode and organise lots of footage that then turns out to be someone’s feet, the inside of a car door, lens caps or other random things. Obviously, this isn’t intentional, but if you know it’s happened, please weed out the clip if you can.

Advice to Producers on hiring Camera Operators

First of all, this does not refer to single person camera operation but to the world I inhabit; the world of the camera crew: Camera Operator, 1st AC (Focus Puller), 2nd AC (Clapper/loader), grip and DIT.

I am a camera operator. A few years ago I was lucky enough to be invited to join the ACO (Association of Camera Operators), the UK’s equivalent of the SOC; so I know a thing or two.

I keep seeing posts for camera operators saying “must have experience of Epic” or must have experience of Black Magic” etc. Specifying a particular camera. This is a condition that should be placed on the Focus Puller, not the Operator. You do not need to specify knowledge of any particular camera when advertising for an operator.

It is the Focus Puller, that needs to know a particular camera. It is the Focus Puller who builds the camera at the start of the day, physically navigates the menus to set the camera up, maintains the camera through the day, makes any modifications to it that are required for a particular shot and then brakes the camera down at the end of the day.

The Camera Operator frames all the shots. He/she does this by operating Geared heads, fluid heads, remote heads, handheld, steadicam, Movi etc. He does not have to know anything specifically about the camera, just how to frame the shots using the methods described above. The Focus Puller is the guy who actually looks after the camera.

camera operator

What is your job?

I am a camera assistant and I help to make films and TV shows by running a camera and making sure it doesn’t run out of battery or memory on set. I use the clapper board to show the start and end of a scene. I also show the actors where to stand by putting marks on the floor, so that they are framed by the camera properly. I use a computer to find out about how new cameras work, to watch videos made by other people that I can learn from, and to save and store everything that we film

What inspired you?

I took Film Studies at school and it was amazing. We would make films in class and I had to write a script and got marked 45/45. I was so proud.

Best thing about your job?

I am lucky that I get to travel with my work. I have been in a helicopter twice! I’ve even been on a horse because of my job, and I get to meet interesting people (and once some foxes) that come into the TV studio or set to be filmed.

Top tips

Try things. Trying things is where you find out what you like and what you don’t like. If you don’t try things, you will never know what you are good at!

What to expect if you want to become a camera operator

Camera operator salary: Variable on different contracts. Recommended rate of £42 per hour minimum (BECTU 2017). BECTU is the UK’s media and entertainment trade union (Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union)

Camera operator working hours: Hours can be long and unpredictable. BECTU recommends a maximum of 48 hours per week

WOMEN BEHIND THE CAMERA

“I started out as a camera trainee in 1986 through a scheme set up by the ACTT (then the main union of the industry), that intended to bring more women and ethnic minorities into the film industry,” says Bristow, who has worked in the camera department for more than 30 years, “I worked my way up the camera ladder on features and TV dramas to become a camera operator, and by 2009 was the only full female member of the Association Of Camera Operators. There are about 110 male camera operators in the ACO.

“In 2016, Pete Cavaciuti ACO, president at the time, asked me to write an article about why there are so few female camera operators. I began by looking at how many women there are in all the different grades within the camera department and started to create a database. I realised that, for anything to change, it is important to show female 1st and 2nd ACs that camera operating is a viable career choice for women.

“Producers, directors and DPs are now actively thinking about the importance of increased diversity within the crew. Our aim is to increase equality in the camera department by being more visible,” says Szeliga. “Now there’s one platform that will provide the contact details of women in every grade of the camera department, including the electricians, DITs, video ops and grips.”

The response from DPs within the BSC has been very positive. “Things are changing in the camera department,” said BSC president Mike Eley BSC. “But we have still got a long way to go. We are starting from such a low base that I believe it is the responsibility of all DPs to ensure their department is diverse in personnel. A mixed crew is good for the actors, good for the director, and therefore good for the film.”

WBTC is also about up-skilling and encouragement. In June 2019, the first workshop was held, on geared and remote head operating. Twelve women, mostly 1st ACs or operators, were given the opportunity to spend a day practising with a 50ft Technocrane in one part of a stage at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, and on an ARRI head, dolly and track in another part. The workshop was made possible by the support of the ACO’s Sean Savage and Phil Sindall (who agreed to tutor and support the workshop), Panavision (who provided the camera and grips equipment), and Warner Bros. (who provided the space).