Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Working On A Film Set

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Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 04-13-2008, 03:57 PM:

I'm sure there has been similar threads but I currently can't seem to find them... if so please direct this one to the appropriate thread.

Anyways, I'm wondering who has worked on a film set, your duties, info about the film, things you were expecting to happened but didn't, and just in general the experience of it all.

I am currently seeking interest on a film that my friend is participating in. He directed me to their management so I'm in talks with them to be a part of it as well. I wanted to get an idea of what to expect before I jump head first into this. Not a major position in the film of course... but you never know what could happen.

Oh yeah... It's an independent film in collaboration with Lionsgate.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-13-2008, 04:53 PM:

You'd best learn film set ettiquette first before embarking on the set!!! It can very definately mean the difference between being accepted or not on the set and by others working there.

I did not know set ettiquette at all when I worl4d on my forst film but I knew it well by the time I was on it for a few weeks.

See this link.... Set Ettiquette

Mark

Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 04-13-2008, 05:35 PM:

Awesome! Thanks a bunch Mark. [thumbsup]

Posted by Bruce Hansen (Member # 281) on 04-13-2008, 06:16 PM:

On most film shoots there is a lot of "hurry up and wait". You may have a good amount of down time. Don't get frustrated, bring a book, but always be there (on set) ready to work. Don't make anyone go looking for you. When you are on the set TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE. A good skill to work on, is being able to get through a sea of "C" stands without running into any of them, and moving a light or flag.

Most film is shot with only one camera. The first shot is a wide shot called the "master". The main actors will be brought on to set, and they will rehearse the scene several times. The main actors will go away, and the stand-ins will take their place. At this point the lights and flags will be set. The main actors (the first team) will come back and run through the scene again, then shoot it several times. The first team goes away, and the stand-ins (the second team) comes back. Now close-ups will be shot of each actor, and maybe several two or three shots. For each shot, the lighting is done for THAT shot with the second team. Than the first team comes back. As you have figured out by now, this process is VERY time consuming.

On most film shoots, scenes are shot out of order. It is hard to figure out what a movie is about, until you see the finished film. But once you have gone through this process several times, you start to get the hang of it.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 04-13-2008, 06:23 PM:

Always close and lock at least one latch on equipment cases unless you are actively removing or replacing its contents. This will prevent someone from assuming that the case is latched, picking it up by its handle(s), and dumping its contents on the ground.

Get several maps of the area and keep them in your car. Use them. Don't get lost.

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 04-13-2008, 06:47 PM:

Very good, very accurate, applicable to anybody on any job.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 04-13-2008, 07:04 PM:

Just apply to the Production Manager for a job as a P.A. (production assistant). It's entry-level and you're pretty much on general gopher duty. However, you will learn so much about working on movies just by being there and observing. Soak it all up.

Good luck, sweetie! [beer]

Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 04-13-2008, 09:30 PM:

Tim, I jumped into this whole thing sort of in the middle of pre-productions. So they already have PAs and all that good stuff.

I just got signed on to be the assistant set photographer. It's all pretty neat so far(totally stoked!), I signed on to their website and get to read all the pre-production jive. Their own little forum or what have you.. FYI, they are called Post Reel Pictures and Eloi Entertainment.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 04-13-2008, 10:06 PM:

What does an assistant set photographer do? Do you actually take pictures, or is the job more about assisting the head photographer (carrying equipment, ordering film and supplies, etc.)?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-13-2008, 10:17 PM:

WOW! The photographer gig is pretty neat. Better than an entry level job for sure. I actually highly reccomend that you DON'T look into being a P.A. as many of them end up JUST doing that job and it can be miserable long hours with little pay and no glory. You're already at a higher level... now just do your best to stay there and advance.

BTW: My years of working on location films was alot of fun and great pay but after over 40 films and countless other setups it got old and alot of traveling was involved... never at my expense though. Most films also get you first class hotel accomodations [thumbsup]

Working on all the films that I did will allow me to retire at age 60 [thumbsup]

, at least if this recession doesn't go depression!

Since I set up gear and often ran dailies it meant many long hours of waiting. One time I waited for John Hughes for over two days straight and was finally told late the second night to go home. They had finally figured out he wasn't going to watch some rough cut of his latest film. The funny thing was that I was told he was holed up writing a new script.... something he is very good at doing spontainously! I wasn't the only one kept there the entire time... the editorial department also had to stay.

Anyway, best of luck!

Mark

Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 04-13-2008, 10:48 PM:

Scott, I'll find out more when the Key Still Photographer calls me and gives me the whole run down. I'm pretty sure I'll be assisting her... and taking additional shots as well. Since she is also the Key Makeup Artist... she might have her hands full at times.

[ 04-15-2008, 07:26 AM: Message edited by: Jennifer Pan ]

Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 04-15-2008, 07:26 AM:

Update:
Looks like there are two more projects in the works aside from this one. Wow, this is a lot to take in just from reading their project board site. [Eek!]

Update 2:
On a side note... I just joined a little movie guild that consists of a core group of friends making shorts. So hopefully soon I'll work on some videos and ya'll can critique our silly projects.

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 04-15-2008, 09:57 AM:

quote: Scott Norwood
Always close and lock at least one latch on equipment cases unless you are actively removing or replacing its contents.

This was one of the first things taught to me when I worked 2nd camera on a number of film shoots about 20 years ago. I still follow this practice today with film shipping cases in my projection room, and I insist that "the other guy" up there do the same. Just this past weekend I picked up a 4 reel case to move it and it wasn't latched as it should have been and the empty reels spilled out and bumped noisly down a staircase.
OK, so I should have looked a little more carefully at the latch before picking it up; but "the other guy" knows we have an "always latch-it" rule and he's going to get an ear-full from me next time I see him.

Posted by Bruce Hansen (Member # 281) on 04-16-2008, 06:47 PM:

Here is some other info you may find useful:

The ADs (assistant directors) are the people that "run" the set. They pass along the directors orders, and keep things moving along. When you hear them yell "ROLLING" stop what you are doing, and sit or stand still (science is golden when shooting sound). On some sets there will also be bells. One bell means rolling, two bells means cut. During rehearsal the director may also want relative quiet, so he can hear the actors.

If you are working with make-up, your job may be to take close-up pictures of the actors' make-up and hair, and head to toe shots of wardrobe. This is important because there may be a series of scenes where a guy is getting ready for a date, then picking up his date, then the two of them at dinner. These scenes will play back to back in the film, but may be shot weeks apart. The pix you take will be used to make sure that hair, make-up, and wardrobe match from scene to scene. You may also take shots of the set, so that if anything is moved, possibly to put the camera in a position to get a shot, everything can be put back in place after the shot. If you are shooting in some ones house, most of the time their furniture will be put into a warehouse, and brought back after the shooting. You will need to take pix of the house as it was to start, so that the furniture will be put back where it was.

You may take production stills of the actors on the set during rehearals, if you are asked to take pix while the camera is rolling, be very quiet, be careful not to cast shadows on the set, or end up IN the shot.

Dress comfortable but neat. Do not dres-up, you will look out of place. Totally open sandles are not a good idea on a film set.

Have fun Jen.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 04-16-2008, 08:28 PM:

Oh, cool, Jen! You're already coming in at a skilled level - no need to bother with being a PA.

Go with it; observe, and learn! I'm proud of you. [Smile]

Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 04-16-2008, 10:11 PM:

Thanks for all the tips and support guys!! [Cool]

Posted by Greg Anderson (Member # 235) on 04-28-2008, 10:34 PM:

Actors (and everyone else) are increasingly annoyed at the problem of cell phones ruining a take. Turn it off or leave it in the car. It's not enough to put it on vibrate mode because when it's totally quiet on the set you'll hear it buzzing. And even if it's in silent mode, some cell phones can induce noise into the sound system. Nobody will know it's your fault but you still will have ruined the take.

Here's something: Eye lines. Actors don't want people moving or, worse, staring at them from a place that gets into the actors' field of view. This will be especially important to an on-set still photographer. You would normally be right beside the movie cameras but no matter where you are you have to move slowly. Some actors are really sensitive about distractions.

If the shoot has any exterior work, be ready for any weather conditions. Keep jackets, hats, boots, umbrellas, etc. in your car all the time. There will be no time to go home and get something you may have forgotten. Even if you're not shooting outdoors, your interior locations may be cramped and you'll be waiting outside anyway.

A typical work day is 12 hours. SAG rules say that an actor needs 12 hours off between shifts. So if any shooting day runs late it can throw off the rest of the week's schedule. For this reason, Monday call times are generally very early and any night work is scheduled for later in the week. You may be showing up at the crack of dawn on a Monday and working until well past midnight later in the week, only to turn around and do it again the next week.

So... get plenty of rest during your time off. You may have to cut back on TV or movies or general partying. Weekends will be full of housework, washing the car and other stuff you used to just chip-away-at during normal weeks. It's the price you pay to live the glamorous, movie production life.

I'm sure the key still photographer will fill you in on all the other stuff. So, like any other job, remember to show up on time, listen closely to instructions, don't cause trouble, don't whine and Presto! People will enjoy working with you and you'll be able to get more work.

Oh... another thing. Those snazzy chairs for the director and cast are often conveniently placed and are often empty. But you should never sit in a chair if it has someone else's name on it.

I think we're all looking forward to a report from you after you've been on the set for a while. I mean, your long work days may make it difficult to spend time surfing Film-Tech but I'd still like to know how it's going.

Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 04-28-2008, 11:37 PM:

Greg, those are some pretty good tips. Thanks [Smile]

We had our first production meeting last Friday night and went over the schedule of what would take place for the first few weeks of shooting(actual production starts May 22). I wasn't expecting too much since I thought it was just a little indie movie. But the director went all out with a lot of detail for this production. I had to soak it all in... felt pretty overwhelmed by the whole process and how everything was being discussed. [Smile]

This Wednesday is the 1st rehearsal(reading of the script) with the cast. So I'll be there to take some pics of that. Definitely very excited and can't wait to see how it all comes together.

On a side note, the little movie guild I'm in has been pretty exciting as well. We're even working on a side project from the movie guild to some short content for a web show. Absolutely thrilled about it... spent most of this past weekend having our own little production meetings. Last night we asked for some legal advice because we wanted to find out our limitations when we have product placement. Free legal advice from lawyers, heck yes! This is how we roll. [beer]

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 04-29-2008, 12:45 AM:

quote: Greg Anderson
I think we're all looking forward to a report from you after you've been on the set for a while.

Definitely. Tales from the trenches, I'm looking forward to it.