10 Simple Ways to Make Your Shoot Run Smoothly

We’ve all been there. We’ve been on set and have absolutely no idea where we are supposed to go, what we are shooting and just who the heck is in charge.  What results can be a huge waste of time AND money, as well as a very frustrated cast and crew.

These suggestions may seem a bit obvious, but there are still productions out there that need to hear them.  I’ll even throw in a few personal examples to make it interesting!

1. Name the shoot
In all your communications call your shoot by the same name, this is usually the title of the production.  Always use the same font when typing the shoot name as well.
I was recently a model at a shoot with about 10 other models. Not one of us knew what we were shooting for. We all called the shoot by the name of the company that hired us, and in turn, had a really hard time finding it when we stopped to ask for directions. One model was over an hour late because of this. If she only had known what we were shooting for, she would’ve been on time.

2. Mark the shoot location
Make the shoot location easy to find. Giving out an address is fantastic, but be sure to mark off the location with a sign/poster with the shoot name.  If the location is in a hard to find place, mark off the turns to get there with a sign as well.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wandered around a lot, building or warehouse looking for a shoot, having to open up a million doors before I found the right shoot. A simple sign on the door, building or street would’ve saved me and I’m sure a lot of other people a ton of time.  You don’t want your shoot to get off to a late start because people can’t find the place.

3. Introduce key players
At the beginning of the shoot, take 5 minutes to introduce the key players. Everyone should know who the director, producer, make-up, wardrobe and other key players are. Stand in a circle and have the key players introduce themselves. It may seem a bit grade school, but it is important.
*This is especially important if there is a ‘client’ on the shoot. Everyone should know who is essentially paying the bills and whom they should watch their mouth around.
Oooh man, I have really messed this one up before. I’ve turned to people on set and said things like “Wow, the dialogue in this thing is crap” and had them turn back and say, “Thanks, I’m the writer.” Ouch. Save everyone the embarrassment and do quick introductions.

4. Let people know feature landmarks
Pointing out bathrooms, wardrobe and make-up locations in the beginning of the day will save everyone an enormous amount of time. No one wants to point out the bathrooms 45 times in one day, so do it once and get it out of the way.
I was just recently an extra on a TV show and saw just how much time was wasted when every single one of the 20 extras on the show asked the same questions. “Where is wardrobe?” “Where is the bathroom?” “Where do we change?” “Where do we go for holding?” It was maddening.

5. Let people know whom they should go to with questions
Whether you have a large set or a small set, letting people know who they can go to with a question is key.  Extras shouldn’t be tugging on the director’s shirt. Give out a point person in the beginning and spare yourself from interrupting the flow of the shoot by someone interrupting the wrong person.
I helped out on a yoga video shoot a few months ago and was appalled when the cameramen kept asking the lead talent what the next shot was. The lead talent would be totally in the zone and she’d have to stop, and point out the next movement she was going to do. I couldn’t believe that the producer hadn’t told them to ask her for the shot details. It wasted a TON of time and the lead talent grew extremely frustrated and some of the shots were ruined.

6. Remind everyone to turn off cell phones and throw out gum
Don’t ever assume that everyone knows how to act on set and make it a point that everyone on set turn off cell phone rings. Throw in an immediate dismissal warning for those that ‘forget’. Also remind all on camera talent about throwing out their dreaded chewing gum. No one wants a shot with a jabber-jaw in it.
We’ve all been there. You are in the middle of shooting a long scene, it’s going great and suddenly your interrupted by an ear-piercing rendition of “eye of the tiger” from someone’s cell. Save yourself the frustration and make sure everyone turns them off BEFORE the cameras roll.

7. Announce break times
Whether you are in between shots or you are on lunch break. Make sure everyone knows how much time they have and when they are expected to be back on set.
I can’t tell you how many times I have seen productions get behind schedule because someone calls out a break and doesn’t give a time to report back. There is nothing worse than scouring sidewalks, bushes and cars for people talking on their cellphones or smoking when you needed them back on set.  Let people know a definitive time to report back and also let them know the time that it is when you are announcing it (this eliminates any clock/watch time difference).
For example “It’s now 12 o’clock exactly and we’ll be taking a 15 minute break. Be back here and ready to go by 12 fifteen.”

8.  Simple Do’s and Dont’s
Let everyone on set know if there is anything taboo that they shouldn’t do on set.  I’ve been a guest on a major television show before and I was read the riot act before I met the main talent. But, I was glad that they did it. I knew when I met him what I absolutely should not do and for that I was grateful. I mean those producers DRILLED me! “Don’t touch him, unless he touches you. And then you can touch him in exactly an equal manner, but not MORE.” So, when he reached out and put his arm around my back, I did the same. It all worked out splendidly.

9. Post a Schedule
If you are able to, put up your shoot schedule so everyone can see what you are planning on accomplishing for the day.
I was recently on shoot where they used my dog as talent. There were over 20 dogs on set and all the dogs were getting thirsty. We all wanted to give our dogs water, and we were growing anxious. Some people left to give their dogs water and it postponed the next shot by 15 minutes. If a schedule were posted we would’ve known we only had one more shot left with the dogs, everyone would’ve stayed and no time would’ve been wasted.

10. Tell everyone how and when they can view what you shot
Everyone who works on a shoot wants to know when and where they can see the goods. Plus, crew and talent are your best PR! Use them to your advantage and be sure to announce when and where they can see the footage!  They’ll all tell their boyfriends, friends, parents and grandmas to watch for it and that only increases your buzz!
I produced an indie kids film and it debuted in a film festival in the town that we shot it.  We packed the theatre with people who worked on the film! This was both great for us and for the festival. Plus, the talent and family of the talent were so happy they could see themselves on the big screen!

I can guarantee if you follow these 10 simple steps you’ll save your production time, money and alleviate a lot of shoot day frustration. You’re production will come across as polished and you’ll be seen as a pro. Happy Shooting!

15 Ways to Make Working With Kids on Set a Breeze

Despite the age old “don’t ever shoot with puppies or kids” myth, working with kids on set can actually be really, really fun. This guide will give you some solid, hands on advice for making your shoot a kid-friendly and successful one.

1. Have a kid wrangler
Establish one person on your crew whose sole job it will be to watch the kids and be the point person to parents.  This person should, preferably, have some Mary-Poppins tendencies and actually enjoy being around kids.  The kid wrangler will watch them and have them where they need to be at any given time. This will also be the main point of contact with all the parents.

2. Have a kid space
Have a place set aside on your set where the kids can go to relax, play and just be kids. This should be a place that is preferably out of earshot as kids aren’t quite as good as adults at being quiet when camera is rolling.

3. Have things for them to do
Movies, coloring books, games and toys are all essentials for any kid-friendly production. Keep ‘em occupied.

4. Give them a quiet space.
Kids get tired. FAST. Have mats for each kid and some blankets or towels that they can wrap themselves in and get some quiet time. Kids need to just check out and relax.

5. Snacks & Drinks
I cannot stress this enough. Have tons of healthy, non-sugary snacks and sandwiches available at ALL times. Give each kid a specific plate or tray where they can keep their snacks. Make sure they know where their snack tray is and where they can eat it. Do not have ANY sugar on set. ANY. Tell your whole crew to suck it up for a day, they won’t die without Swedish fish. Kids crash and BURN with sugar and you can’t afford sugar meltdowns.

And if you don’t want to blow through 18 cases of water in one day? Provide each kid with their own, LABELED, water, name clearly marked, and only give them a new one when that one is gone.  You think extras go through drinks fast? Watch a pack of 5 year olds on a case of Dasani. It’ll last 7 minutes.


6. Separate the parents from the set
Parents are more than welcome to share the kids space, but try and avoid having them be on set. I have found that kids tend to act up more and often when they have a parent watching when the cameras were rolling.

7. Give them an adult buddy
If a kid is in a scene with an adult, make sure they are buddies before you begin filming. Introduce them first, and make sure they have some time to bond. The adult in this case, should act as if they are all “in this thing together” and hang out with the kids when not shooting.  I know this worked magically for me when I shot with some kids. Every time we had a break, I went with the kids, talked to them, played games. It made our on-screen time more authentic and the kids trusted me. Trust is BIG. When the kids would whine “I’m siiiick of waiting” I would whine too “Meeee toooooooo. But let’s just play a game in the meantime”.  Being “in it together” went a long way. It wasn’t adults vs kids, it was them vs us.

8. Be ready to roll
Only call the kids on set when you are ready to roll. They lose patience faster than my Grandma in line at Arby’s.  Have the wrangler prep them beforehand, have the adult talent get excited with them. Then call them on set and be instantly ready to roll.

9. Never ever ever have arguments or discussions in front of kids
If a kid sees any minor flaw or way to break the peace, they’ll take it and run with it. Don’t ever let them see you sweat. If you need to have a serious discussion on set, or an argument is brewing? Promptly, swiftly and immediately whisk the kids to their waiting station and make sure they are oblivious.  Nothing will kill a kids performance faster than a bitchy producer / director squabble. Kids don’t get it and it makes them freeze up.

10. Make it FUN
Remember, acting is supposed to be play-acting and you should approach it that way. Kids approach it as imaginary play and you should too. It should be fun and carefree. Keep the tone light. You don’t have to kiss their ass, but make sure they enjoy themselves.

11. One person directs the kids. ONE.
If someone needs the kids to move or do something differently, one person and only one person should be giving them direction. Too many people directing them will just have them confused and overwhelmed and they’ll feel ganged up on.  Make sure everyone on set knows this and adheres to it. If someone else besides that one person wants to make a suggestion? Have them whisper it in the ear of the ONE person and then relay the message to the kids.

12. Don’t be afraid to be the fall guy
I was the main talent on a shoot with kids and whenever we had any feedback or change for the acting in the kids I would always make sure that I was included in the  advice, sometimes even taking the fall.

For example, if the kid wasn’t looking at the camera when they spoke and we couldn’t see their face? The director would whisper it in my ear and then I’d roll my eyes to the kids and say “I’m soooo sorry! I blocked you on that last shot, and the director couldn’t see your face. Could we reshoot it and this time I’ll lean back so I don’t mess it up and you could lean forward a little bit more so they can be sure to see your face?” The kids listened because they felt bad for me, we got the shot and who cares if I was the fall guy?

13. Once in wardrobe, TAKE A PICTURE
Oooooh kids. They truly have no idea what they were wearing after they’ve put it on. Take a picture of them in the approved wardrobe immediately and hang it on a poster board near set.  Double check them against the photo when they go on camera. Trust me, they will NOT remember what headband, hat or shoe was theirs once they’ve chucked it off and started playing. 

What if you have a lot of accessories for your kid talent?

I took a big tarp and with a thick sharpie made big boxes on the tarp and wrote the kids names in the boxes. Every time they left set I had them take off their accessories, and I would place them within the box on the tarp. This made it extremely easy to get them back into wardrobe, without searching under couches and in bathrooms for hats and such.


14. Be complimentary
Imagine your most prima donna actress and then multiply it by 15. Kids need positive reinforcement. Smile. Tell them they were fantastic. High-five them and the killer? SHOW THEM THE SHOT. Every kid instantly gets better once you all huddle around the camera, and everyone oooohs and ahhhs over how great the shot turned out. Plus, it’s usually generally exciting and fun to have the kids get excited. It makes it more fun for everyone.

15. Don’t you know who I am? 
I usually play “don’t you know who I am?” with kids on set. It’s a pretty simple game. We’d get them to laugh about how FAMOUS we were going to be after the shoot/production. We’d talk about how we’d be sooo famous we’d be one of those people who would say “Don’t you know who I am?” Then all day long we’d say “don’t you know who I am” at the silliest times. If someone asked to pass the pretzels we’d turn and say “Don’t you know who I AM?” If someone farted nearby (very common kid set occurrence) we’d turn our noses up and say “Don’t you know who I am!?!”  It became an infectious silly way for us to act “Hollywood” and get the kids excited, plus it was really funny.

Happy Shooting! And remember, working with kids can be rewarding, fun and a silly good time!