There’s an undeniable thrill that comes with the process of creating a short film. From the initial concept to the final cut, every step is an opportunity for creativity and collaboration.
In previous blog posts I’ve discussed casting and pre-production. Today, I’ll take you on a journey through the days of shooting my short film, “They Never See It Coming.” Join us for a glimpse behind the camera.
Preparation and Setup:
Our call time was just before dawn on the first day of shooting. The cast and crew arrived at our ranch location just outside of Dripping Springs, TX and the day began with a buzz of excitement in the air.
On the first day there is an endless list of tasks to get started. But the first priority… coffee.
And breakfast.
Hey, it was freezing that morning and we needed the cast and crew warm and fed. We greeted each other over warm food and steaming coffee and chatted about the tasks ahead.
The bulk of the shoot revolved around a van in the middle of a field. So, my first step was to get our picture car in the proper place for the shoot so that Robert Matthews, my director of photography, could start organizing his team.
We had found an awesome vintage yellow van that we rented for the shoot. The van was owned by Jen Nelson and she wheeled up right on time. We got the van in place and Robert started organizing the grip and electric team. Robert’s team consisted of 1st AC Malek Mahones, Gaffer Farshid Farrhoknia, Best Boy Grip Ty Weber, and Key Grip Daniel Halsell. I can’t say enough about these folks. They worked hard and did an amazing job.
Next I met with the cast who brought a variety of wardrobe. I picked what I liked and then scheduled them for makeup with Leslie Alexander, our makeup artist.
The production team sprung into action, setting up equipment, and arranging the scene to match the the vision that I had for the film. The cinematographer meticulously planned camera angles, lighting setups, and tested the framing to ensure each shot was visually stunning. Meanwhile, Leslie was prepping blood, makeup and all of the things she needed for the cast’s makeup requirements.
Rehearsals and Blockings:
Typically, the actors would be called in for rehearsals and blocking. But I had already worked that out with my actors Jeff Weber, Melanie Elise and Henry Mouat. So, we literally set up the first shot and started rolling.
Camera Rolling:
The cameras are set, the sound equipment is checked, and the clapperboard snaps shut, marking the start of the first take. Silence falls over the set as everyone watches intently, witnessing the story unfold in real-time.
I worked closely with the actors, guiding them through the scene, discussing emotions, and refining their performances. As the actors immerse themselves in their roles, their chemistry and dedication become apparent. It’s during these moments that the characters truly start to come alive, giving the crew a glimpse of the film’s potential.
The actors delivered their lines with conviction, expressing the nuances of their characters. The camera moved smoothly, capturing every emotion and movement with precision. It’s interesting how the set becomes a world of its own, momentarily transporting everyone into the story.
Dealing with Texas Weather:
It was a profoundly windy day during our first day of shooting. I’m talking crazy wind! The kind of wind that is knocking over C stands, flags and other gear. My first concern was sound. I always wear headphones during a shoot but in this case the wind was so loud it was difficult to tell if we were getting wind noise through our boom mic. I talked with Kenny Hada, my sound mixer, and he’s like… “No, it’s fine. Trust me.” And, dang, he was right. He got meticulous sound despite the crazy wind. On the other hand, the wind was great production value. During key moments of the film Melanie’s long hair whipped around her face bringing more drama to the moment.
Takes and Retakes:
Filmmaking is a pursuit of perfection, and often multiple takes are required to capture the essence of a scene. The crew tirelessly reshoots scenes, adjusting camera angles, tweaking performances, and making sure the lighting and sound are just right. Each take brings the film closer to its full potential, demanding patience and attention to detail from everyone involved.
Collaboration and Teamwork:
One of the most beautiful aspects of filmmaking is the collaboration and synergy that develops among the cast and crew. Each individual’s expertise contributes to the collective vision. From the director’s guidance to the cinematographer’s artistic eye, from the sound engineer’s precision to the actors’ talent, everyone works together harmoniously to create something extraordinary.
Lunch Breaks and On-Set camaraderie:
In the midst of a busy shooting day, the crew takes a well-deserved break for lunch. It’s a chance for everyone to recharge, socialize, and strengthen their bonds. Laughter fills the air as anecdotes and stories are shared.
Wrapping Up:
As the day progresses, the crew moves through different scenes, working tirelessly to capture each moment. With every shot, the film grows closer to completion. As the sun was begin to set we knew we were running out of time. But we shot up until the last moment. As the sun set, the last scene is filmed, and a sense of accomplishment fills the air. I couldn’t have been more proud of my team. The crew worked tirelessly and the actors gave every ounce of creativity in their performance.
Our Second Day of shooting
Our second day of shooting started at a classy restaurant/bar.
We had plenty of extras who volunteered. We cast Terrence Twar Mombrun and Devin James Blose to be the buddies of our lead actor Henry Mouat. Devin and James improvised with Henry for some great footage.
The dialogue was minimal so it was mostly about setting up the camera to get plenty of interesting coverage of Henry Mouat. We followed up the restaurant shoot with some coverage of Jeff Weber and Henry crossing paths in a seedy downtown alley. We wanted some interesting lighting FX for the alley scene so we tasked Ty Weber with driving up and down the street by the actors giving them a splash of passing car headlights.
All in all the shoot went very smoothly. The cast and crew did a fantastic job and achieved what we set out to accomplish.
Next week we’ll talk about post-production.
Until then… cheers.
