A day in the life of a shoot day crew

During a recent shoot for an ad film, one of our locations was a restaurant that came alive under the evening lights. As the crew set up, a curious bystander approached us while I discussed shots with the Director of Photography (DOP) and First Assistant Director (AD).

He was eager to learn about our project and the shooting nitty gritty. 

We explained this particular location was our final scene for the day. It was scheduled until close to midnight. Throughout the day we had multiple scenes to shoot, each scene requiring several shots and takes. The gentleman was surprised with this information. 

To be specific, that scene was just one of the numerous scenes we had to shoot for the day where each scene could have anywhere ranging from an average of 6 to 10 minimum shots. Each shot would require at least 2 to 3 takes, if not more. 

Then the time had to be factored in for the travel to different locations and set up for every shot. This is a generalised scenario and particularly fitting for that specific day of the shoot. However, this varies depending on aspects like production budgets, film length, concept, crew size, shot breakdowns, and whether the shoot occurs on location or in a studio setting.

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The conversation with the diner made me realise that while most individuals acknowledge the effort behind crafting a single video, they may not entirely grasp the magnitude of that labor—a sentiment I, too, hadn't fully appreciated until joining the industry.

Seven years ago, Christopher Nolan’s Doodlebug inspired me to make something impactful on a set one day.  But little did I know of the ground realities of filmmaking. 

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A film set is like its own world that has its eyes on us at work. Today we are flooded with content from short-format (think Instagram Reels, Snap Stories, etc.), short films, to series, documentaries and feature films. Shoot day for each of these media is different, but there are some commonalities. things you'll find on every set.

It is exhausting but the thrill is unbeatable, almost like living out of a heist movie. 

The Beginning:

The day begins early with production-sponsored pick-up cabs ferrying the crew. The producer and line production crew arrive first, followed by a camera, light, catering, sound, stylist, wardrobe, and makeup teams, each settling into their designated areas. The director, assistant director, cast, and art department join shortly after. Catering provides a quick breakfast for the crew before the first shot with staggered meal times to optimise efficiency. 

While the tech crew sets up, the cast and art department prepare for the scene. The assistant director, producer, and their team ensure smooth operations,  according to plan.

Once this is all done and dusted, the moment of truth arrives as the stage is set for the first shot of the day with time pressing down upon it. The director's monitor is set up. A frame test is done to see that the shot looks exactly like it is supposed to. This is followed by finer adjustments on the lights, making sure they complement the props effectively. 

Meanwhile, the actors and extras for the scene are prepped by the stylist and the make-up artist as per the scene’s brief. The cast receives a reminder and a run-through of the upcoming shot. 

A Contrast Of What Goes Into A Single Simple-Looking Shot

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A Contrast Of What Goes Into A Single Simple Looking Shot

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The Prep:

When everything is set, the cast is escorted to the scene and briefed on their designated positions, indicating where they'll stand or sit throughout the shot, relative to each other and the framing boundaries. The lighting is then meticulously readjusted and tested, ensuring it complements their skin tones, hair shades, and wardrobe.

This slightly takes longer than expected. After this, the actors are briefed for a quick rehearsal of the entire run-through of their actions, movements and dialogues. 

Behind The Scenes of Seven

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While this takes place, the intense heat emitted by the larger source lights set up for the scene frequently leads to the actors' makeup appearing cakey and prone to melting. Consequently, there arises the need for additional tasks, such as redoing or touching up their hair and makeup before filming begins.

The First Take:

Following this, the final call is made to begin the first rehearsal take. The cast and crew take their positions, awaiting the crucial moment. Then, the much-anticipated command, “Quiet on set, standby for take, sound, camera and action”  echoes across the set. 

Yes, it is not the popular “Lights, camera and action”.  Why?

The first command guarantees silence on set, readiness for filming, and synchronisation among sound and camera crew and cast for a seamless take.

The first recorded rehearsal is started and tested. 

Behind The Scenes From The Sets Of An Indie Short Film On The First Day Of Production

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The Hustle:

In the unpredictable and often unforgiving world of filmmaking, success is rarely achieved on the first attempt. It's a process fraught with challenges, where perseverance is key and setbacks are a part of the course. Just as in life, there is rarely any moment when everything falls perfectly into place on the very first try. But more often than not, it is about resetting, restaging, and going for another take.

Each take represents a fresh opportunity to capture the essence of a scene, to convey emotions and messages resonating with audiences. There are repeated takes, bloopers, technical glitches, etc. before it finally happens. 

Yet, after all the effort, it's only the first shot, with potentially ninety-nine more to go.

This is what a film set is all about. There is chaos, confusion and frustration. But amidst the conundrum, there’s an electrifying energy pushing the crew forward. It's a heady mix of exhaustion and exhilaration, akin to a wild roller coaster ride. You might find yourself torn between loving and loathing it, but there's an unspoken agreement to persevere, united like a team from a heist flick, bound by the shared dream of crafting something extraordinary. We hold onto the hope that maybe, just maybe, the hundredth take will be the charm. But until then, we press on, pushing through the ups and downs, chasing that elusive magic.

‘It's A Wrap!!‘ Behind The Scenes From Last Days Of Production Across Sets

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The journey is grueling, pushing the boundaries of patience and endurance. Hours stretch into eternity on set, technical failures abound, and creative clashes add to the strain. 

But these challenges are a child’s play for the crew members who are charged by a heady concoction of dedication and passion. This same passion fuels the dream of creating something equally impactful on set one day, echoing the inspiration and wonder sparked by spine-tingling films like Doodlebug.