Any final words of wisdom for my first production shoot this Friday?

Crew =

Me and my brother as director, camera work, grip.

Lighting guy off craigslist who is supposed to be the DOP (lighting only)

Sound guy who is going to record sound with lavs and a boom mic.

Cousin as side actor and grip.

2 Extra grips from lighting guy.

2 kid actors, 2 guy actors from craigslist, cousin


I think I might need to save some money and not have a makeup artist, is that alright?


I'm going to be renting a 6500 honda generator, is there anything I need to know about that? any safety tips or audio tips? (how far back should it be?)

Do you think I should rent a portapotty for 1 day? It's going to be all guys after 5 hours so do you think that would be ok, or should I find out right now?

I'll be renting a fog machine as well.

Any recommendations on food?

Thanks.
 
be prepared. some people are going to show up late, some might not show up at all
unless of course there is $500 for it in them :)
 
Take good notes. Make sure you log which shots are the good shots. And get the log before you dump the AD. Otherwise editing is...... not so much fun. Don't yell cut as soon as the actor finishes his/her lines. let the camera and audio run a second or two so your editor will have cutting room. Other stuff, blah blah blah.

Good Luck.
 
Just learn lots. You'll make mistakes, you'll work out better ways to do things. Have fun and enjoy the ride. Make the most of the opportunity.
 
Preproduce the living daylights out of it; you're never prepared enough. Even for a short you should have a small binder almost full of lists for equipment, props, meals/craft table, schedules, release forms, permits, etc. Double check, triple check; confirm, reconfirm. Have plenty of extra scripts.

Make audio/video logs a priority; they will be invaluable during post.
 
The easiest option would be to have a bunch of pizzas delivered. :D

I like to put out a spread of various things, crackers, apples, candy.. basically munchy stuff that's easy to grab quick between shots, since it may be all you personally get a chance for, unless you break for food and everyone eats together.

You should ideally know by now whether any of your cast or crew have specific dietary requirements or restrictions, allergies, etc.

I've also done sandwich fixings, bread, cold cuts, condiments, etc.. small bags of chips are good too.

Basically you want to cover the range of salty, sweet, and healthy, so that there's something there for just about anybody for snacking on (craft services) and if you're doing a regular meal too, find something filling and acceptable to everyone.

If you do break for a meal, be prepared for a post-meal crash/lull.. make sure you've got enough caffeine and sugar and whatnot available to keep your people rocking.

If it's HOT (which I hear it has been very hot in parts of CA lately) make sure you have a LOT of water on hand, and a jar or two of pickles.

EDIT: Correction -- whether it's hot or not.. make sure you have a lot of water on hand (and that people are drinking plenty of it) and a jar or two of pickles (for the electrolytes)
 
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Pizza may be a problem, you might have lactose intolerance. Maybe someone is vegetarian.
Can you email everyone first and see if they have any food restrictions or preferences. this way you won't have to waste extra money on doing some sort of spread.

I know if you have hot skinny girls they probably won't eat pizza. I made that mistake once.
 
Pizza may be a problem, you might have lactose intolerance. Maybe someone is vegetarian.
Can you email everyone first and see if they have any food restrictions or preferences. this way you won't have to waste extra money on doing some sort of spread.

I know if you have hot skinny girls they probably won't eat pizza. I made that mistake once.

lol. Yeah I'll probably send some last emails out, thanks.
 
Im renting a 6500 Honda generator. Is there anything I need to know about safety or setup?

You would not believe how often I can hear the generator loudly in production sound tracks. Do everything that you can to isolate the sound of the generator from your set. Obviously you can't cover it up with sound blankets, but use tons of extension cords to create distance (use heavy duty extension cords), park vehicles between the generator and your set and cover the vehicles with sound blankets so you can deflect/absorb as much of the sound away from your set as possible.

Oh, BTW, make sure that you get copious wild dialog when you finish each scene in as quiet a setting as possible, perhaps turning off the generator when you do so.


Listen to your PSM/Boom-Op.
 
Ok thanks, I have like 12 extension cords.

Will I be able to just turn on the generator and leave it without supervision?

Also should anyone get offended if I make them sign a deal memo or sign release forms on the day of the shoot? Just deal memo and release forms right? Should I get the location owner to sign a release form? (its on a farm, there's not really anything to damage unless the generator blows up) I already paid her.
 
Will I be able to just turn on the generator and leave it without supervision?
Yes. Check on it occasionally to be sure it has gas :)

Also should anyone get offended if I make them sign a deal memo or sign release forms on the day of the shoot?
No, it's pretty standard to sign releases the first day of a shoot.

Should I get the location owner to sign a release form? (its on a farm, there's not really anything to damage unless the generator blows up) I already paid her.
YES!!! Always get releases.

Specifically the actors will be signing a Actor release (or Personal, or talent release), the location owner will be signing a Location release. If you're doing any behind the scenes anything, you should get personal releases from all crew too...Links are just examples. ;)
 
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I'm curious - What's your shooting location like? I feel like that's fairly imperative to answering some of your questions - portapotty, food, etc
 
Yes. Check on it occasionally to be sure it has gas :)


No, it's pretty standard to sign releases the first day of a shoot.


YES!!! Always get releases.

Specifically the actors will be signing a Actor release (or Personal, or talent release), the location owner will be signing a Location release. If you're doing any behind the scenes anything, you should get personal releases from all crew too...Links are just examples. ;)

Ok thank you :yes:
 
I always just put my name on those release forms, because I don't have an official production company. Is that a sin
 
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