For the past 10 days my group has been living from checklist to checklist. We have surrendered ourselves to the will of our Master Document, breathing only when the spaces between each row allows us to. We put our faith in this sacred document, praying that it would guide us through the shadows of filming. For the most part it did. My team was as prepared as we could have possibly been, and now that our filming journey is almost over we can finally take longer, deeper breaths and reflect on all that went as planned and all the things we could have done differently.
A Beginner’s Guide to a Successful Production
- Apply for military clearance at least a week before filming day unless you can afford having your drone shot down by a sniper.
- Make a copy of your production room key to avoid being thrown out by a tired boomer at 4 pm (right on time of course, only a hour before the office closes).
- Don’t forget your camp “Filming in Session” signs, apparently hand written notes don’t resonate with the masses quite as well.
- Not filming near an elevator is for the weak. If your audio technician does move their hips to the rhythm of the ding and clap with the closing doors then you are in for a rough time.
- Bald test subjects are they best, they show you just how much light is bouncing around the room. If your test subject has a full head of hair and your interviewee does not, then ensure to have easy access to your sunglasses during post.
- Walk with a booster seat in the event of a short test subject, pillows don’t always get it right.
- Invest in Fenty Beauty and/or blotting paper– the more coverage the better.
- If your background is missing a pop of color, don’t worry! The nearest women’s restroom has got you covered just please ensure to return all borrowed fake flower bouquets.
- Many experts have agreed and verified that nothing holds a boom mic as well as a “Char and coat a rack”.
- Noisy neighbors? Your interviewee has rapport so let them tell the people next door to shut up.
- Communications 101: WhatsApp>>>Signal>>Email
- Get a driver who loves to nap, even when they are late you will get to your desired location right on time.
- Bring your own Doritos! Your executive producer might not want to share during snack time.
- You can never have too many extension cords, adapters and batteries. Tripping over a wire or two is a must!
- However you must always remember….whatever your sacred master document doesn’t know your very own PB&J might.
References
