the smallest bare bones crew possible?

K

kgg

Active member
For a dramatic film on dv, what's the bare bones minimum amount of crew that someone has used(or heard been used) to get decent image AND sound?


I mean where the light set up, cam operator and DP are the same person, sound recording/boom operator is another...


add a dolly requirement and it moves to..

3-5 people min?



Just a one man band theoretical question I am pondering. It has nothing to do with an entry attempt into the Guiness Book or anything. :)
 
The obvious answer is 1. That person directs, shoots, and uses wireless for sound. From that point you use a tripod dolly system (like the old indiedolly) and do your camera movement yourself.

In my sci fi I used a bookcase as a boom mic operator and it was just me and my two actors for the bedroom scene...

The answer is 1 though.

EDIT:

Technically if you have a security camera that has sound the answer could be 0

EDIT 2:
Ideal situation for me is 3-5 depending on the project, # of actors and the final product I'm looking for
 
The magic number to me is 3. It is always nice to have more, but you can do a lot of interesting things when you have 3 people behind the camera.

Chris
 
I agree. 3 is good. 1 to direct/DP. 1 for sound (who knows sound). 1 to keep track of script/continuity(very important when you're on a tight schedule) and anything else.
 
It also depends on how much equipment you have and where you're shooting, how much time you have, etc.

I'm doing a short film next month using the HVX200 with a 35mm Lens Adapter...so not only do I need a DP but I need an AC for focus pulling on the 35mm lenses.

Also, we only have one night to shoot 8 pages of dialogue so I'm bringing in a gaffer/grip to speed up the set-ups.

So we have a DP, AC, Gaffer/Grip, Sound Mixer and a PA. That's the most bare bones I can see doing this shoot...

All that being said, I've also shot where it's just me doing everything...those shoots never go as well for me...
 
Everytime I shoot with myself as the sole member of the crew and then sit down to edit I have an intense desire to fire myself.
 
rightfrog said:
I'm doing a short film next month using the HVX200 with a 35mm Lens Adapter...so not only do I need a DP but I need an AC for focus pulling on the 35mm lenses.
Click to expand...

Which adapter are you using?

Chris
 
Chris,

I'm using the Mini35...renting a package from Du-All. It comes with the adapter, lenses, mattebox, follow focus, tripod and monitor...
 
rightfrog said:
I'm using the Mini35...renting a package from Du-All. It comes with the adapter, lenses, mattebox, follow focus, tripod and monitor...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, I might have to check them out. :)

Chris
 
I think 3 is the magic number for minimum. As TheYankee said, technically 1.

Also, check out the book 'Rebel without a crew' from Robert Rodriguez.
 
I like having three... Myself for camera, and lights. A guy for sound/boom. Another person who is usually my co-director who is watching the performances, and continuity.
 
I agree - 3. But I use them differently: 1 on camera, 2 on sound. Sound is sooooo important! I use one to boom and follow the action, the other to monitor levels on a mixer. I'd give up perfect lighting or camera moves for perfect sound anyday on a fictional film.
 
Nobody choose the number 2. Why not? Actually it´s the classic number in documentaries (DP-director and sound) You do´nt always need somebody for script and continuity.
 
It takes longer for a one-man-crew to set up (and you need to lav everything), but getting around is faster. It's also a lot of fun and gives a great sense of accomplishment when you do everything perfectly.

With multi-person crews, you're always waiting for someone to finish setting up. A one-man crew is ready as soon as he's ready. It's definitely not boring.

The only problem is that you have to carry everything yourself -- which is why I started making my own ultralightweight gear (dolly/track, lights, now a jib).

But two or three people is less stressful, and can give you time to think.
 
If I were doing a real shoot where I had to get a reasonable amount of work done on a fixed schedule, I wouldn't even think of shooting without an AD. For the barebones work I've done in 24-hour festivals, we've had 3-4 people, but with at least one of us always pulling double duty as an actor. On something where any amount of actual time or money is being spent, I like a 5-person crew even for DV: Director, DP, AD, Sound, AC/PA.
 
I've used 15 on the set, then a few months later on the same shoot we used 4. The funny thing is, it went a lot smoother with 4. More dosen't always mean better in the case of crew I suppose. Live and learn.
 
rsbush said:
Everytime I shoot with myself as the sole member of the crew and then sit down to edit I have an intense desire to fire myself.
Click to expand...
LMAO!!! That made me laugh pretty loud man. Definately the funniest thing I've heard this week.
 
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