Making the most of those hectic weeks known as production.
The number one reason for my absence, besides the fact that I was in the midst of transferring to college life, has been that I just recently wrapped on my fourth short film entitled The Deceived. I've been in post-production for the past month and a half, which despite everyone's hectic schedules has been moving along in a timely fashion. I'd like to take a pause and go over some things I learned while in production this summer.
SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST:
Within a week of production, it was pretty obvious we had planned our schedule out properly, saving the hardest scenes for the actors, later on in the schedule, and getting the more logistically difficult scenes out of the way first. This was extremely helpful as our lead actress was from out of town, and had not met us until the day before the shoot started. Getting to know her and vice versa through the first few days of shooting was necessary in making sure she was at her working best by the time the week neared the end, and then we neatly eased out of the shooting with a few pick-up scenes and b-roll.
USE SHOT LISTS JUDICIOUSLY:
Before the shoot, I was under the impression that every film must have every line and shot in the script planned and written or drawn out before hand. Well, that sounds nice and professional, but it's not always as conducive or easy as it seems. The first two days of the shoot, I had neatly drawn out shot lists, all pretty and inked to show to my crew. Fast forward to Tuesday night, and I'm sorting BMCC raw footage, with no time left except to sleep. Wednesday there is no shot list. Minus a few comments from about it, me and the crew are able to still move at a good albeit faster pace and finish within a reasonable amount of time. Shot list is something you want to rely on very loosely, unless you are doing VFX heavy sequences or stunt related things. If you can visualize and inform your crew of the shot you envision in a timely manner, then a shot list is nothing you need to concern yourself with.
PLAN TO GO OVER-TIME:
In as much as you want to be the nice, clean-cut film shoot that leaves on time and leaves the place spick and span, sometimes that's just wishful thinking, especially if you over-fill your schedule for any particular day. Your final shot for the day may claim that it's over at 5:00 on paper, but it's more likely than not, you'll still be doing takes at 5:45 with the owner either breathing down your neck or locking you in the building. So the remedy for this? At every location, don't promise to be out by any particular time, especially if you have an inkling you may be a little over schedule, even by a little.
SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST:
Within a week of production, it was pretty obvious we had planned our schedule out properly, saving the hardest scenes for the actors, later on in the schedule, and getting the more logistically difficult scenes out of the way first. This was extremely helpful as our lead actress was from out of town, and had not met us until the day before the shoot started. Getting to know her and vice versa through the first few days of shooting was necessary in making sure she was at her working best by the time the week neared the end, and then we neatly eased out of the shooting with a few pick-up scenes and b-roll.
USE SHOT LISTS JUDICIOUSLY:
Before the shoot, I was under the impression that every film must have every line and shot in the script planned and written or drawn out before hand. Well, that sounds nice and professional, but it's not always as conducive or easy as it seems. The first two days of the shoot, I had neatly drawn out shot lists, all pretty and inked to show to my crew. Fast forward to Tuesday night, and I'm sorting BMCC raw footage, with no time left except to sleep. Wednesday there is no shot list. Minus a few comments from about it, me and the crew are able to still move at a good albeit faster pace and finish within a reasonable amount of time. Shot list is something you want to rely on very loosely, unless you are doing VFX heavy sequences or stunt related things. If you can visualize and inform your crew of the shot you envision in a timely manner, then a shot list is nothing you need to concern yourself with.
PLAN TO GO OVER-TIME:
In as much as you want to be the nice, clean-cut film shoot that leaves on time and leaves the place spick and span, sometimes that's just wishful thinking, especially if you over-fill your schedule for any particular day. Your final shot for the day may claim that it's over at 5:00 on paper, but it's more likely than not, you'll still be doing takes at 5:45 with the owner either breathing down your neck or locking you in the building. So the remedy for this? At every location, don't promise to be out by any particular time, especially if you have an inkling you may be a little over schedule, even by a little.
MANAGE YOUR EXTRAS:
Dealing with extras can be a nightmare if you don't plan their life out for them while their on-set. On one particular day, we had ten extras waiting to be filmed as we debated over a scheduling mistake. We failed to realize that while we were doing all our other work, the extras had been dumped in a room and were getting restless and concerned about how long they were going to be there. Plan things and have food for your extras to do, especially when your on a large set, or a location that needs to be controlled more.
FINALLY:
Relax. Relax, relax, relax. Nothing is going to blow up if you can't finish a few scenes that day, or your actress is late for an hour. You can still recover. The largest setback I have faced is being stubborn and not opening myself up to new or more easier ways of doing things. Listen to your crew, a few of them know what their talking about, don't try to do it on your own. Say thank you every chance you get, and be aware that everyone else is sacrificing the same time and effort you are, no matter hard you think your working. Some may not appreciate it as much as you, but they sure do know and (should) respect your work and time. This is a team sport, play it well, and have fun.
Dealing with extras can be a nightmare if you don't plan their life out for them while their on-set. On one particular day, we had ten extras waiting to be filmed as we debated over a scheduling mistake. We failed to realize that while we were doing all our other work, the extras had been dumped in a room and were getting restless and concerned about how long they were going to be there. Plan things and have food for your extras to do, especially when your on a large set, or a location that needs to be controlled more.
FINALLY:
Relax. Relax, relax, relax. Nothing is going to blow up if you can't finish a few scenes that day, or your actress is late for an hour. You can still recover. The largest setback I have faced is being stubborn and not opening myself up to new or more easier ways of doing things. Listen to your crew, a few of them know what their talking about, don't try to do it on your own. Say thank you every chance you get, and be aware that everyone else is sacrificing the same time and effort you are, no matter hard you think your working. Some may not appreciate it as much as you, but they sure do know and (should) respect your work and time. This is a team sport, play it well, and have fun.
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