Low-budget filmmaking tip #198
Know your health. If you’re sick, don’t show up on set. If you’re the boss and you’re sick, reschedule the shoot if possible until after you’re not sick. No one likes getting sick, and especially not from someone on set.
One guy shows up with strep throat thinking he’s got it all under control and the next thing you know, shoots are being canceled because everyone’s got it.
But…
If you and the bossman have an agreement, and you’ve got to shoot right then (which makes sense), then drug-up, keep your hands clean, and do the best you can. Let everyone know if you’re contagious so they can take appropriate measures, such as wearing a mask.
(none of this applies to mental health — doing the things we do requires a certain kind of mental disorder, apparently)
Low-budget filmmaking tip #197
If the owner of your location declares a limitation, find a way to obey that limitation. If it wasn’t important to them, they wouldn’t have said anything. This isn’t a game to see what you can get away with on their hospitality, or how you can skirt their rules. Follow the spirit and the letter of their requests.
Low-budget filmmaking tip #196
Every shoot has problems that, if you let them, will throw you off and make a mess out of things. The shoots that succeed are the ones where everybody’s constantly in touch with each other, everyone knows what’s going on, and everyone’s moving in the same direction. That’s magic.
Low-budget filmmaking tip #195
Sometimes you work for people who appear crazy, unpredictable, or worse. You aren’t able to fix them or “out-mature” them. You can only decide how much Crazy Pie you are willing to bite off. With any luck, they pay.
(I ain’t naming names)
Low-budget filmmaking tip #191
Don’t get mad on set. Seriously, there is nothing getting mad on set will solve, except how to free up more time for hobbies after this production when people stop working for you. If a problem comes up, solve it. If you can’t solve it, ask for help. If no one can solve it, find a way to work around it.
Low-budget filmmaking tip #187
If you’re shooting after dark, find out who can see your set. A neighbor who doesn’t care about a day shoot might object strongly to a 1k light shining in the kids’ bedroom window.
Low-budget filmmaking tip #184
There’s only two reasons to do another take: because you want a safety, or because you want something done differently. If you want a safety-take, say so. If you want something changed, say so and explain it. Doing multiple takes without knowing why can be very frustrating to the cast and crew. It’s okay to say “I only want a couple of safeties,” by the way. Just don’t be “mysterious.”
Be very careful of line readings. Sure, sometimes there’s a certain emphasis the actor isn’t “getting,” and that is something upon which something else depends, but a director who line-reads too often is probably someone who ought not to be directing, but probably acting.
I think it’s one of those things that has to be approached judiciously.
I’ve done it a few times, reluctantly, but with talking with the actor about it. Each time I can recall, it was because there was an element that they weren’t understanding about the line. Once they got the joke, they usually did it better than I could have.
Which is why they’re actors and I’m not.
Low-budget filmmaking tip #178
Some people like to show rushes to the crew, thinking it can be inspiring. Some don’t, because it can be demoralizing. However you decide to do it, at least be consistent, be clear about why you’re doing it, and keep an eye on what effect it may be having.
Me, I’m not convinced it’s a good idea unless I want the actor to see something specific. I’d rather they worry about their job and I worry about mine.
Low-budget filmmaking tip #176
There will always be someone better than you. There will always be someone worse than you. Comparing is a losing game. Make your own movie — be your own voice.
It’s one of those oddly useful things even off set.
Low-budget filmmaking tip #158
Leave the location cleaner than when you arrived, and be gracious and grateful to your host. Even if you paid. Even if they were jerks.
Although I should stress that all of our hosts were very gracious to us.
Except that one guy, but he wasn’t the actual owner, and once he and the owner had a chat, he properly cooled his jets.
Just more proof that you need to engage the owner.