On the day of a shoot, the most precious commodity we have is time. How long do we have our actors/contributors/location access for? What time is sundown? When will the rain let up so we can shoot that outdoor scene? Having proper time management is one of the most important things when it comes to shooting any production.
Here’s a small list of things that we do for every shoot to ensure we maximise the time we have!
Shot for Shot.
There are a few ways to make sure things flow successfully. Firstly make sure everyone is on the same page, literally. This is where a shot list comes into play. While the overall script shows the story, this document is what tells everyone exactly what they need to be doing.
Quite often we won’t shoot the film in order, so a shot list allows our camera department to not only plan the most time effective order to capture each moment but also lets everyone know the kind of shot they’re going to do. Shot lists can be broken up by the type of shot (i.e. panning or close up), the location being filmed, whether it’s light-dependent, who the contributor is.
A well-planned shot list guarantees that everyone knows where they need to be, and what they need to be doing when there. Every shot requires something slightly different from the last, and a clear shot list allows us to get exactly what everyone’s looking for.
An eye on the clock!
We’ve all been there, you wake up the day of your shoot excited, grab a quick breakfast, check your gear, shower, check your gear again, hop in the car and head to your first day of shooting! You pull up to set, offload your equipment, have a wee chat with your fellow crew members as you set up your equipment, and suddenly two hours have passed and you’re already behind schedule!
But how did this happen? You’ve got your shot list and your schedule! Well, you know what they say about time flying when you’re having fun? Don’t worry it happens to the best of us. So we have found it useful to have someone on set to prevent this whole thing. Typical for us it’s a role that a Producer will take on but it could also be a First A.D on bigger shoots. If your production was a train service, this person would be the train’s conductor. Not only is it their job to help everyone reach their destination, but it’s to make sure they do it on time.
They liaison between departments, making sure everyone has what they need and letting them know how long they have to get it ready. You can usually see them clutching the shooting schedule, and pacing around talking to the various heads of department. They need to be understanding, and a good listener, but time-oriented and firm. Some shots can’t be done in the time limit, and sometimes squeezing in one more take just isn’t possible if everyone wants to get away on time and it’ll normally be up to them to tell people that.
While it’s not the most fun job, telling people no. It’s one your production will ultimately be all the better for.
Know Before You Go.
While it’s easy to focus on the actual shooting days, it cannot be stressed enough how important pre-production is. Just like in house building where a strong foundation leads to a strong and long-lasting house, getting everything right beforehand is what leads to a fantastic production. So while it may not be as action-oriented, or glamorous as busting out the big camera and the pretty lights, we know how important it is to sit down and talk with not only our clients but with our crew.
This open and consistent communication style ensures that everyone will know what they’re doing when it comes to production, but that everyone can also get what they want. Whether it’s in client meetings, sign-offs on creative approaches, or just catching up with reviews, making sure to have these meetings, to check and check again, and give a clear and decisive vision about where the project should end up means that everyone has the means to create something they’re proud of.
The world of filmmaking for many people is an alien one, and while everyone can enjoy a well put together end product, one of the most important things is making sure that the actual process and production is just as organised, streamlined and fun as seeing the finishing film.
Because taking some time to make sure that everyone is done right, is always time well spent.
