First Rehearsal

Chris Messineo

Chris Messineo

Veteran
This Sunday is the first rehearsal and kickoff party for my film. We will have the whole cast and crew there.

I'm curious what others like to do at the first meeting.

We are definitely going to have a "table read", introduce ourselves, and talk about the different production elements.

Any other suggestions to get this film and our team started in the right direction?

BTW, we are about a month away from actually shooting, so this is definitely not a "techinical" rehearsal. We have future rehearsals set aside for that.

Chris
 
I think having an ice breaker like you have planned is probably best...get everybody familiar with each other so that production will run that much smoother.

Good luck, and keep us updated!
 
I heard Steven Soderbergh say he likes to have a party before production begins just so the cast and crew can get to know each other. Then everyone's already familiar with each other on the first day of production. I know that doesn't answer your question about the rehearsal, but I thought it was a good idea. Since your entire cast and crew will be there, this can serve a similar function. I've yet to start my first "real" production, but I think it would be best to keep things loose.

Best of luck on Sunday.

Cheers,

Josh
 
Absolutely. We had our kickoff party a couple weeks ago and it was the first time a lot of people met each other, who are now working real closely on the shoot.
 
I definitely want to keep the atmosphere loose and friendly.

We are having the whole thing catered and I really want to create as much positive energy as possible around the project.

Chris
 
We had our meeting on Sunday and it went great.

I'm definitely finding the key to success is good food and our caterer is really amazing.

Our cast and crew are wonderful and as our production is kicking into high gear the positive energy is fantastic.

Thanks for everyone's guidance,

Chris

p.s. J, thanks for the compliment on the web site. It isn't much, but hopefully what we have looks professional.
 
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I only had a rehersal for the crew - not the cast. We went through the shot list. We ate a bunch of food, threw a football and a frisbee around and generally had a great time.
 
I prefer the 'wave a gun around and laugh' method when I walk in the door. Immediately they know two things.

1. You're passionate.

2. You're in charge.
 
I'd keep an eye on everyone and see who gravitates to who. Paying attention to how people get along and who hangs out with who might help you later on. Maybe get some of your closer production people (Co-Producers and what not...people you trust) to mingle a lot and try to casually get honest feedback about the project. It can help to know who is really excited about what you are doing and who is there because it might be a good job (Nothing wrong with either, mind you)

Filing stuff like that away for future reference can help you on set. Directing is, above all IMHO, about human interaction.

And I agree with Alveraz and John about showing who is in charge. I know that they would agree there are a lot of right ways to do that and a few wrong ones. Basically, be gracious, confident and passionate. Talk to them about THEM. I find that is often the quickest way for people to become comfortable with you. That is of course, if they don't feel like they are tied to a chair with a bare bulb hanging over their head :)
 
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