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Ah, movie production…how I both love and loathe you. |
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Monday, 15 September 2008 16:33 |
I spent the weekend shooting a video art piece with a very small crew (meaning, three of us). The production was filled with many of the joys, trials and tribulations of most shoots I’ve been on (thus, the love/hate), and I thought I’d share a few of my favorite reminders and learnings. While these points are specific to directors of movies, they also apply to most other creative processes.
1. The director sets the tone of the production experience with their first words and interactions with the crew. Start strong.
2. Do a quick run-through of the entire performance at the onset of production to establish the big picture in everyone’s mind. In the process, you’ll also discover any ambiguities in composition, blocking and understanding of roles early.
3. Planning and production are symbiotic. If you rush the planning phase, your production will be disorganized (and less successful) as a result.
4. Unless you have photographic memory or are a genius, refer to your shot list throughout the production - ESPECIALLY if you are pressed for time. If you don’t, you WILL forget something. You’ll probably forget something anyway, but at least you’ll forget less.
5. Don’t skimp on equipment quality. Not only will it affect the quality of the final footage, but it says something to the crew about the level of respect you have for their skills. Same goes for the quality of food you feed them.
6. Remember that your actor’s performance is partly shaped by how well you interact with and nurture them. As easy as it is to neglect them to seemingly important production issues, you may sacrifice your story in the process.
7. Production always takes longer than planned. Carry spare batteries.
8. You’ll never get all the footage you wanted - or, at least, it’ll never be perfect - so you’ll just have to figure out how to make the movie anyway. Expect it, accept it, and move on.
9. Breathe. The world will not end if you don’t get that shot. Or if you run out of batteries. Now refer back to #8.
10. Remember that this is supposed to be fun.
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