Anybody ever feel frazzled before a shoot?

Doc Bernard

Doc Bernard

Indie Arms Member
Tonight's looking to be an all-nighter. Got the authorization to go pick up all the tac gear for 11 people this AM. But lo and behold, it all needs to be set up correctly. We start principal tomorrow early AM in LA. I have to prep two new guns (for a total of 13 M4's) also. Finished the new SAW249 an hour ago, killed the orange tip. Bought linked 223 ammo props for both SAW's. Still got to mount those on.

Fixed the EKG machine so it reads an actual cardiac trace now and respirations. Packed all the medical props already, so that's done too. Panic button constructed.

I had to go out and buy a bunch of bins to put all the gear in, including a big one for all the rifles.

Oh, and I worked a full shift at my day job as well.

Going bald. Or nuts. Or both. But not bald nu....
 
Sounds like you have everything under control...finish up...check your list and get some rest. A clear head will go a long way with an early call.

Have fun!
 
So, you think you have everything taken care of....Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha,!!!! That's funny!

Check and double check everything, make sure that you have back ups for everything you can, and then make sure you are prepared for the sh*t you, or other's forgot or did not anticipate.

Put together a , "Oh Sh*t" resource list. Go to Yellowpages.com or other business services website, or real phone book (which I suggest you have with you on set) and get the phone numbers and directions to:

The closest Radio Shack. (or course you brought every connector, cable and battery your need...)

The closest big box hardware store, like Lowes or Home Depot. (Sh*t, I thought your brought [insert forgotten tool name or piece of hardware here])

The closest national chain pharmacy, like Wal Green, Rite Aid, ect. (Trust me, you never know when you need some more Aqua-Net, Calamine lotion, skeeter repellent, sun screen or antiseptic spray...).

The closest full service grocery store. Again, nobody will have brought enough bottled water, soda pop, comfort food snacks, or (when you are done) beer.

Since you are going to be in LA, I would also put together an Oh Sh*t list that includes the closest film expendables retailer and I would have contact info for local folks that do the stuff that you specialize in, stunt gear, weapons ect, just in case.

It is a little late for this current gig, but I would make an effort to establish a relationship with companies, that do the same thing you do, in the LA area, or were ever you may think you may spend a good amount of time shooting, that, if need be, you could contact on short notice to cover your butt, with the stunt/weapons stuff. Approach them as a collaborator, not as a competitor. Who knows, you may get some work out of it.

I also put on my Oh Sh*t resource list, the phone numbers of a local tow truck company(ies), local cab companies (you never know) and directions to the closest hospital/ER. Last but not least, I also try to find the directions to the closest, best source of COFFEE!!!

The real lesson of this is check and double check to make sure that everything you have to do is correct and will work, prepare back ups for everything you can, and then anticipate that things will go wrong. Just make sure that when things go wrong, and, dude, this is filmmaking, they will go wrong, you have prepared the resources to solve the problems quickly, efficiently and professionally.
 
David, you are preachin' to the choir! I bring extras of everything I can.

LOL! As to the ER, we are filming in a hospital. LOL, I think that's covered. And my fellow stunt guy works for one of the big weapons houses in LA. I got him this gig and it a good one.

My problem was the budget was finally disbursed to me the day before the shoot.

I like to do things by checklists. This was my way of pissing and moaning about how much work I had to do tonight. Funny thing is, I just checked the roster, I am the producer on the film, not associate producer. Ok, it's not so bad now.
 
Doc Bernard said:
David, you are preachin' to the choir! I bring extras of everything I can.

LOL! As to the ER, we are filming in a hospital. LOL, I think that's covered. And my fellow stunt guy works for one of the big weapons houses in LA. I got him this gig and it a good one.

My problem was the budget was finally disbursed to me the day before the shoot.

I like to do things by checklists. This was my way of pissing and moaning about how much work I had to do tonight. Funny thing is, I just checked the roster, I am the producer on the film, not associate producer. Ok, it's not so bad now.
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Good to hear... Now that you are a producer.... F*ck it... delegate!!! :grin:
 
I'd tell you to relax, but that's not really good advice... but David's advice is great!

David G. Smith said:
Check and double check everything, make sure that you have back ups for everything you can, and then make sure you are prepared for the sh*t you, or other's forgot or did not anticipate.

Put together a , "Oh Sh*t" resource list. Go to Yellowpages.com or other business services website, or real phone book (which I suggest you have with you on set) and get the phone numbers and directions to:

The closest Radio Shack. (or course you brought every connector, cable and battery your need...)

The closest big box hardware store, like Lowes or Home Depot. (Sh*t, I thought your brought [insert forgotten tool name or piece of hardware here])

The closest national chain pharmacy, like Wal Green, Rite Aid, ect. (Trust me, you never know when you need some more Aqua-Net, Calamine lotion, skeeter repellent, sun screen or antiseptic spray...).

The closest full service grocery store. Again, nobody will have brought enough bottled water, soda pop, comfort food snacks, or (when you are done) beer.

Since you are going to be in LA, I would also put together an Oh Sh*t list that includes the closest film expendables retailer and I would have contact info for local folks that do the stuff that you specialize in, stunt gear, weapons ect, just in case.

It is a little late for this current gig, but I would make an effort to establish a relationship with companies, that do the same thing you do, in the LA area, or were ever you may think you may spend a good amount of time shooting, that, if need be, you could contact on short notice to cover your butt, with the stunt/weapons stuff. Approach them as a collaborator, not as a competitor. Who knows, you may get some work out of it.

I also put on my Oh Sh*t resource list, the phone numbers of a local tow truck company(ies), local cab companies (you never know) and directions to the closest hospital/ER. Last but not least, I also try to find the directions to the closest, best source of COFFEE!!!

The real lesson of this is check and double check to make sure that everything you have to do is correct and will work, prepare back ups for everything you can, and then anticipate that things will go wrong. Just make sure that when things go wrong, and, dude, this is filmmaking, they will go wrong, you have prepared the resources to solve the problems quickly, efficiently and professionally.
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I flew out to LA to do audio on a RED shoot... I stressed the importance of the mini-xlr cables (along with a bunch of other stuff)... with somebody else picking up some gear (including those cables)... and once we got out in the middle of nowhere... whatta' ya' know... only 1 of those cables to share between 2 REDs... D'oh!

Double-checking a basic list (freakin' LAMINATE one and make that the first thing you grab for each shoot)... is a great idea... a life-saver more often then you'd think.
 
I'm always nervous before a shoot. It's not a bad thing because it shows that what you are doing matters to you. Embrace that. Just don't let it overwhelm you.

Then do everything David says. :grin:
 
First day of principal photog shot. Me so tired. Gotta get some sleep tonight, first thing in the morning, I am being attacked by the lead and having my neck snapped. Did a bunch of the choreography tonight, and will refresh in the morning prior to scene. As soon as I can get ahold of some, I will post stills.
 
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lairhair said:
I have a friend who said the only way he can quit smoking is if he quits the film industry.
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That is funny!. I have been doing less production work than I have in a long time (I gotta get out of this rinky-dink market I live in now... long story, for another thread), and I am smoking more than I used to.... stress is a funny thing, and of course when it comes to quitting smoking.... well, you know what they say about excuses...!!
 
To the OP, have I been stressed out? Yes. The worst is when the shoot becomes incorporated into bad dreams the night before.

And David Smith's first post should be a sticky somewhere....good material.
 
Second day completed. What a bit of a CF. We were shooting in a 2 unit fashion. But nobody consider how weapons were needed on both sets at the same time. I was bouncing from 1st and 2nd unit all day. Not to mention my on-camera role that had to be shot as well. I lost 3 pistols, but "gained" an LED light panel, two body bags, so far. I am doing to do a complete inventory tomorrow. In the past 72 hours, I have 6 hrs sleep under my belt.

Almost half of the radio transmissions today were involving me. "Get Doc to the 1st unit stage" "no, he's working with talent on 2nd stage". "Tell Doc to grab a number of XXXX and bring to that set." "Tell Doc the lead has questions for him on how to handle a weapon in this situation" Etc. etc.

Edit, found one pistol so only two are missing.
 
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Ah, the morning after post. Very sore this AM. On set, it was decided, the "neck snap" was too cliche. So it was changed to me getting in an arm lock by the lead actor while I was holding my pistol, followed by an elbow strike to my face, and the the grand finale: being taken down with a modified sweep onto the floor, my own gun now in the possession of the lead. He chokes me out while pointing the gun in my face.

Good stuff.
 
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