Yes, we reshot stuff from the first movie and it will look a lot better than the way it was shot in the first feature thanks to having a journeyman DP and sound guy. No rookies this time.
Even when the police asked me for my shooting permits, I could take a break and let the DP take over, since he has directed before. When I got back, he'd show me what he shot on the camera's playback. We have a great arrangement. He asked me to show him and the cast the blocking and work with the cast, and he would figure out the best angle and find the best lighting for the shot.
We had to filter out uncommitted actors from actors who have no problem working in no pay productions because acting is their life. These actors constantly asked me how is their acting, how is their makeup, and how do they look in their costume. They come up to me for approval for everything and thanked me for lunch and being in the production. They want to do whatever it takes to get the scene just right. BIG improvement. One actress said she will help me find reliable actors for future productions.
I'm seriously considering going SAG in the future and getting the reliable actors from this production to work with them. SAG will be on their case for no shows and running hours late. Union members have to "show a willingness to work" to stay in the union.
One of my actresses had it out with another actress trying to dictate her own hours, kept getting lost coming to shooting locations, and disrupting the shoot by constantly calling me when I told her on the phone "we're shooting something, let's speak after the shoot." The actress accused the other of not being a team player so everyone can get their camera time. We downsized the role of the troublemaker and asked her not to come back.
