GW: DOCO SHOOT

A hugely busy and very stressful day BUT with the help of my actor and crew we got the 10 minute documentary shot. IN ONE DAY! The experience was aid though by two of my brightest and best students who acted as cameramen in both senses of the word as they were in it too. Brian our main actor was a joy to work with. As we shot around his house in his cabin in the garden he was hugely accommodating and even threw in lunch, snacks and drinks all day!

Things to use when moving forward.

• There Do not try and be actor, director, producer, camera supervisor, sound recordist and art director. Too much and it works to the detriment of the piece however needs must in this case.
• Location important and a great location to choose but not to the detriment of lighting issues which due to the exterior quality of the shoot was changable and led to issues of continuity. Also space was at a premium.
• Set dressing was important. Whilst the location worked really well as a non-descript earthy building/log cabin that could be anywhere a few photos and books personalised the space. Also all of the items from the actors really helped create a character for it too.
• Costumes too were really important. The choice from Brian's wardrobe (after much deliberation) worked well and was sciency enough and relaxed but avoided new age hippy. I wanted to look smart casual so a shirt, jeans and shoes achieved this and went for media type and professional but not too smart. After many thoughts I asked the cameramen to dress in their usual clothes which worked well too. I did get them to bring 2 tops though just in case any of theirs were inappropriate.
• Work with experienced actors as they are so much more professional.
• Make sure the actor is happy the environment was not the 100% for shooting in but the actor was very comfortable and at home and this really aided the shoot. A good personal relationship worked well with the actor as well in this case.
• Story-boards were a necessity as they gave me a shorthand with the cameramen.
• Get a production assistant to log and make notes of the footage as this was a job too far for me alongside everything else. Shooting with 4 cameras there is going to be a lot of footage and management of this could have been stronger.
• Pay more attention to the cameramen as I put  a lot of trust in them but looking at some of the rushes even more direction would have helped.
• Working with students was fine in terms of expense but more experience and not as much teaching from me would have taken a lot of pressure from my shoulders.
• Make sure a clapper is used at the start of EVERY setting off of the cameras.
• The lines were an issue for both of us but especially for me. Make sure the script is ready earlier and more time is made available to learn it.
• Leave lots of time for setting up. the set up took 2 hours. This was due to me being a little rusty, 4 cameras being used, lighting changes demanding re-sets and also sound issues.
• The shoot worked well in terms of planning. The idea of doing it as a documentary and filming with 4 cameras meant that there was only one set up not multiple and it allowed for the easy shooting of the script in chunks. This also aided the fact that the script was not 100% known by either of the actors.
• Breaks for the crew are invaluable. They also allow time for reflection and build unity. After a stressful and long set up and a shoot of the first third a break was invaluable to settle everyone down and discuss ideas and the way forward.
• Be open to ideas from the crew. Collaboration is good. My two cameramen both suggested a couple of interesting ideas shot wise and even in one of the scenes for an extra take that hopefully will add to the project.