Last Minute Jitters....

chromeboy007

chromeboy007

Well-known member
Hi folks,

I will be shooting my first short in about 2 weeks... I worry about everything. The auditions went well, got my cast. But if I email them something and they don't get back to me within 24 hours I get nervous. They are good actors working for free but what if one of them cancels last minute? What if they are not enthusiastic about the project? What if they don't have any faith in me? What if they think I suck (it doesn't matter if I'm a genious if they think I suck)? They haven't voiced any concerns over any part of the project so I have no real reasons to be concerned. But even still I have a millions things to worry about. What if the location owner changes his mind about letting me shoot there? What if the all-important makeup artist / crew driver fails to show? What if the cast thinks I'm unprofessional for shooting a few scenes at my own apartment and my mom's house (I have no choice, people charges ridiculus amounts)? What if they think my project sucks because I have to do this semi-guerilla style? Are they gonna ask me if I have insurance (I can't keep a straight face when the word "insurance" is mentioned)? I don't even have time to worry about the artistic things... speaking of which, did I mis-cast? Can my cinematogapher solve the lighting problems associated with shooting a dark skinned dude? Do I have enough lighting equipment?

Do you guys worry like I do? God I want this over with!
 
Sounds like you've thought of everything. Don't worry, something's bound to go wrong. Just roll with it.
 
sounds like you need an AD, producer, or someone that will take care of all of the crew and all of the other stuff. You need to be able to focus on directing the actors and the story, you can't be worrying about that other stuff.
 
rsbush: thanks... looks like that's what I'll have to do.

dcho787: next time, an AD would be good.

craigbowman: hmm... the thing is, they haven't voiced any concerns, which in a way makes me nervous as I have no idea what they are thinking... when they do open their mouths they sound thankful and grateful, which makes me even more nervous because they might have very high expectations in their heads.

I don't have any rehearsals scheduled.... there is no dialogue so they got nothing to memorize. all my artistic concerns are asociated with blocking and framing and lighting, which only me and my DP have to address....
 
As Directors it's our right to worry. Its natural. Let your DOP worry about the lighting...Don't get yourself into a corner trying to solve everything spread the load and on the day concentrate with working with the script/ Actors...
Best of luck buddy...
J.P.
 
jpbankesmercer said:
As Directors it's our right to worry. Its natural. Let your DOP worry about the lighting...Don't get yourself into a corner trying to solve everything spread the load and on the day concentrate with working with the script/ Actors...
Best of luck buddy...
J.P.
Click to expand...

thanks man...
 
Dude, jump in that fire and go. A million things can go wrong and a few of them will. Never admit defeat. Problem solve like a madman. Be good to your crew.
Know that the film will get made. It will call on many things from you both physically and mentally. Accept it and don't loose your cool.

You'll be fine.
 
As their leader(director) you can't let them see you sweat, remain cool at all times, how can you expect them to believe in the project if you don't yourself. Shooting Guerilla, something is guaranteed to go wrong, just expect it and move on..

The most important thing is to get the project done, BY ANY MEANS!
 
What if... the project is just really good.. and your actors actually like it...

crazy I know...

:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
 
i know there is a ton to stress about but you have to try to not.

if this is your first short you cant expect a sundance winner. it may be...but i wouldnt expect that

my best advice, is to rehearse, make sure you have all your preproduction on lock, and then have fun. the most important thing for you is to relax and have fun doing what you love.
 
Contracts would solve 90% of the problems you initially listed. Yes, you can still draw up contracts for locations and talent, even if you aren't paying them. Mark Litwak has a great book called "Contracts for Film & Television". It contains just about every contract you could possibly want or need. Good luck.
 
where did i get my good fortunes from?

I just shot my first shot over the weekend. the estimated wrap time on Saturday night was 11pm but it did not wrap til 5:00am and none of my cast and crew complained one bit except perhaps me. Everyone showed up and did what they were supposed to be except the still photographer couldn't make it for one of the 2 days. That's it. Everything worked out in the end. We got some great footages and great acting and I stayed cool and led the project on at all times. The cast was great, my lead actress barely needed to be directed. In fact the whole cast required very little general direction. Most of our problems were derived from techical things like framing and lighting and stuff which my DP handled admirably.

Thanks for all the advices and encourgements. I owed you guys one.
 
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