So here's the lowdown:

A friend of mine and I co-wrote a script to direct for our 35mm class at school. When pre-lining the script and putting the shot list together, we realized we couldn't get the coverage that we wanted with the amount of film stock they were going to give us. So, we've decided to shoot in HD on our own.

With a 15-page script, 2 HVX-200's, 175 shots and about 50 total extras, is it possible to get this shot properly in 3 days?

Day 1: Soundstage 9pm-9am

Day 2: On location (A mansion) 9pm-9am

Day 3: Just a few exterior shots 8pm-1am

The biggest relief to this situation is that it's comedy, and I'm working with 2 great lead actors and a fantastic crew. My concern is that this may be too many shots to capture. But can running two cameras be an advantage to nailing more shots? Or will it be a burden?

Well, I 'spose it will give your editor more choices...

...but look at your shot count!

Ignore Day 3... you say that it's just a couple of exteriors.

Let's cut those out from your total of 175, and call it 170 shots.

That's 170 shots in two days...

That's 85 shots per day...

Each day being 12 hours (per your post)...

That's 7 different shots per hour...

That allows 8-1/2 minutes for every single shot. :seeya:

I'm not even going to think about the herding of 50 extras.

Rather you than me, buddy. :bag:

Heh, as hectic as it is, two camera set-ups are getting taken care of each time. The reason for the so many shots is for extreme coverage. And you're absolutely right about cutting some out. But those exteriors are quick, necessary shots. But who knows what kind of crap can happen - I'm vividly imagining a car crashing through the set and destroying the cameras. :lol:

Still, I'd be fluid and ready to get less than you are planning for. Be ready to combine shots, drop shots, and just move really really fast. Any of the more complex shots, try to get them done first - especially dolly or trick shots with a crane, etc. Those take a while to set up, light and rehearse. You can easily lose and hour or two just with one shot.

Order your shot list from most necessary to least, that way when your time runs out, you can just be done and your actors/ extras can go home and sleep for the next days shoot.

At my fastest, with a small, experienced cast and an
experienced crew - sticking to the script with no
improvising at all - I can get 30 set ups in a day. My
usual is between 17 and 22.

When I use two cameras the setting up and lighting
and placement slows me down and restricts camera
movement. Sure, sometimes having two side by side
can get me the MCU and the CU at the same time,
but it's just not worth the hassle for me.

I can't IMAGINE wrangling 50, unpaid extras while
trying to get 80 to 85 set ups a day.

Good luck! Please tell us how it works out.

Still, I'd be fluid and ready to get less than you are planning for. Be ready to combine shots, drop shots, and just move really really fast. Any of the more complex shots, try to get them done first - especially dolly or trick shots with a crane, etc. Those take a while to set up, light and rehearse. You can easily lose and hour or two just with one shot.


Absolutely. Always expect the worse on any shoot. There's a few dollies, and a push-pull on day 2. We're also fortunate to have a day to pre-light the soundstage a couple days before. Still, I'm expecting the worse.

At my fastest, with a small, experienced cast and an
experienced crew - sticking to the script with no
improvising at all - I can get 30 set ups in a day. My
usual is between 17 and 22.

When I use two cameras the setting up and lighting
and placement slows me down and restricts camera
movement. Sure, sometimes having two side by side
can get me the MCU and the CU at the same time,
but it's just not worth the hassle for me.

I can't IMAGINE wrangling 50, unpaid extras while
trying to get 80 to 85 set ups a day.

Good luck! Please tell us how it works out.


It seems extremely unrealistic, so we'll end up devoting a handful of shots to the wish list. The AD got the shot list today so I'll post on what he says.

Thanks guys!

On busy days, we can go through ten pages of material--dialog or action. It can be done if you have a team that works well together, and doesn't waste time.

You better have a background wrangler on hand...that's going to slow you down if you don't have a chief with gusto telling them what to do.

On busy days, we can go through ten pages of material--dialog or action. It can be done if you have a team that works well together, and doesn't waste time.

You better have a background wrangler on hand...that's going to slow you down if you don't have a chief with gusto telling them what to do.

Oh, for sure. We have a hard-working crew, as well as a handful of film students helping out. Those kids love to work!

What is it that makes you think you need that much coverage?
Also, two cameras aren't all they are cracked up to be. On my current project my DP (30 years as a grip, 1st camera, operator, and DP) discouraged me from using multiple cameras. He basically said "Unless it's a heavily dialogue driven script where you need a lot of cuts back and forth between characters it isn't worth it. It will take twice as long to light it to look good for both cameras and that will eat 70% of the time you saved by using two".

What is it that makes you think you need that much coverage?
Also, two cameras aren't all they are cracked up to be. On my current project my DP (30 years as a grip, 1st camera, operator, and DP) discouraged me from using multiple cameras. He basically said "Unless it's a heavily dialogue driven script where you need a lot of cuts back and forth between characters it isn't worth it. It will take twice as long to light it to look good for both cameras and that will eat 70% of the time you saved by using two".

It's a ton of shots, 135 in 3 days. If we run the cams side by side, we can capture an MS or MCU as well as a CU. Just some more coverage. Every single shot for extra coverage isn't vital, but it would be nice to be there.

Heh, you'd better do a writeup on how it turned out afterwards :)

Heh, you'd better do a writeup on how it turned out afterwards :)

Absolutely. It shall be done!!!

You need a videographer on set to film the making of... that could be even better ;)

You need a videographer on set to film the making of... that could be even better ;)

THAT will be done too! :D

Sounds like you're having fun with this, and that's one of the most important things. Good luck.

Thanks so much, folks. I'll post an interesting thread of my crazy adventures this weekend!