Working on set: Who you will meet &Tips Working On Set

Working on set can be challenging, especially with those who don't cooperate with a project. However, you'll meet a lot of bright minded people who will bring the project to life. Here are some tips when you are working on a set.

Set a deadline

Since going to film school for just 2-3 weeks, we had to film some short films. One which we had to film for maximum 2 minutes. The issue was that we were in different groups so it was hard for us to shoot together( Well... for some of us). I got frustrated with one of them because we organised a time outside class. So me and two of my friends came back from class a bit later because we organised the shoot around that time and it was the only time that would work. Setting a deadline would force us to get on with. Although we had a deadline to had the film in, we did not have a deadline for filming. So, even if you have a deadline to hand your work in, have a deadline for your shooting.

Read the script

So let's role back to pitching the idea... there was a few ideas that came up but the idea we went with was the little red riding being kidnapped. She goes back in to the house to save the woodsman. He has a breakdown and the little red riding hood comforts him and they embrace. That was the idea we decided to do. So I wrote a beat sheet. When you are on set and call yourself the director, rule of being the director is read the script. So when we started shooting, it was different from what we decided to do because the " director did not know what the story was or how the story went." If you are not the director, also read the script. Everyone needs to be clear of the vision.

Collaborate

I felt I was doing everything. I was writing the script and discussing it mostly with one of the other person in the group. We were the only two who seemed to care about the project.

One thing I didn't expect is people being quiet and not really giving a lot of ideas out. I was looking for props and the outfits the two characters are going to wear.

My expectations and reality were completely different. My expectations was people were going to want to work really hard and give ideas and stuff where as the reality was nobody hardly said anything. I was so confused on why aren't they doing anything. This will be good for putting on to your reel. Maybe I am just to serious?

This is literally the thing I want to do for a career. I shouldn't feel I am being too serious.

The shooting as I said was different. The Woodsman was standing over a dead body in the bath tub and we did more than 5 shots. Not all of us read the script and I handed it over for him to read but he didn't... It was so stressful. I wanted it to be over. When I make a movie, I don't want and I shouldn't feel I want it to be over. The week we were going to shoot had train strikes so that is also we had to shoot on the day we doing class.

The result of not being knowledgeable on your film results the audience unsatisfied.

Anyway, we managed and wrapped the shoot. What a relief.

Friday came and we were showing it to class. Our tutor was confused on why was there a dead body in a bath tub and a man standing over the body... Which I kind of get. Alex did try and tell the director that but he didn't listen. So the key to a great film is listen, be open and learn to communicate.

We did have some good parts such as the light and the prop that my friend bought in.

So here are the Tips for those who are wanting to get in to filmmaking:

If you are a director, be a good director and read the script
If you are part of the film crew, listen and communicate with others if you feel there's an issue.
Don't let two people from the crew do all the work, be a professional
Do your best, it can go along way.
Be part of the production