Director's Binder

J

Joey Murdock

Member
I'm trying to figure out what would be the most useful items to have in a director's binder and so far i've come up with the following list...

Cast/Crew Contact Info
Shooting Schedule
Shot List
Scene Breakdown
Script

Does anyone have ideas of useful material to include?

Thanks,
Joey
 
Im in pre-production on a short now and setting up my binder. her is what I have included.....

Schedule
Script
Story Board
Shot List
Prop List
Wardrobe List
Character Descriptions
Equipment List
Releases (Crew/Cast/Location)
 
My 2 cents: Good input above. If you're directing and you have a crew taken charge of their responsibilities you really need just a few things when actually shooting:

  1. Shot list, for each set up. This should correlate with the overhead diagrams that should be included with the storyboards. Share with DP.
  2. Call Sheet: List of Scenes to be covered for the day, with schedule. Share with DP, 1st AD, etc... everyone
  3. Shooting Script w notes including all the actor motivations.
  4. Storyboards w notes on lenses, lighting, etc. The DP will have been the lead on achieving the look/lighting/lenses in many cases.
The other stuff is good info to store in back on the book as long as it 's not too bulky but the producer and set designer, Hair & MU, etc... should take care of much of this and leave you to direct the picture.
 
Last edited:
10s said:
My 2 cents: Good input above. If you're directing and you have a crew taken charge of their responsibilities you really need just a few things when actually shooting:

  1. Shot list, for each set up. This should correlate with the overhead diagrams that should be included with the storyboards. Share with DP.
  2. Call Sheet: List of Scenes to be covered for the day, with schedule. Share with DP, 1st AD, etc... everyone
  3. Shooting Script w notes including all the actor motivations.
  4. Storyboards w notes on lenses, lighting, etc. The DP will have been the lead on achieving the look/lighting/lenses in many cases.
The other stuff is good info to store in back on the book as long as it 's not too bulky but the producer and set designer, Hair & MU, etc... should take care of much of this and leave you to direct the picture.
Click to expand...

I agree however even as a director I still tend not to trust people to be on point. (I have high expectations) So I like to keep records of everything for my self aswell But 10s is right somethings you really wont need because there are other people to take care of those areas.
 
I know it's usually the Gaffers job, But if you gaff your self, i always find a quick break down of the electrical panel on the location extremely helpful, Im sure every one on here has wanted to pull out hand fulls of hair running back and forth resetting tripped breakers. It just makes it easier to know before hand what the outlets amperage is before plugging in high watt lamps. And if you shoot at restaurants, stores, or even a house, it can be much safer to have this info.

Time is always a major hurdle on our shoots. A quick breakdown of the daily schedule can't hurt to have. Set up, break down, blocking, rehearsals, Lens change, Breakfast, lunch, smoke breaks, You get the point...


Just a few that seem to get missed often, but can help in the long run.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top