Introduction:
On-location shooting often means working long hours, away from home, in unfamiliar places. In this blog, we share our insights of how to best make use of your time, for the most successful and enjoyable shoots.
Enjoy It!
Some of the most enjoyable on-location shoots we’ve ever been on have been away from home, on the other side of the planet. We’ve been privileged to witness and experience some extraordinary things. With travel comes adventure, and with adventure comes risk and that’s where support and kindness to one another go a long way. When you’re on location you spend long hours getting the shots you need, often under pressure of time, weather and budget to name but a few. Then after a long day shooting, there’s often travel involved to a hotel, getting fed and watered, and getting some well-earned sleep before being up early again the next morning to make the most of the new day. This cycle can be exhausting particularly over a long period so accepting this and supporting each other and looking out for each other will make the whole thing more fun.
You can’t control everything:
When you have a very tight shooting window it can be stressful getting everything done, particularly if the light or the weather isn’t playing ball. We’ve experienced shoots where the perfect, light, wind and tidal conditions may only occur for a few minutes a day – if indeed at all. It’s amazing when the stars align, but they won’t always. So being creative with the narrative of the film at that moment and accepting the climatic conditions are not in your control helps relieve the pressure on all involved and can add a dramatic edge to your production.
Trusting one another to get the job done:
Working with a crew you can trust on-location especially when things aren’t going to plan is paramount. Respect for one another goes a long way and gets repaid. Looking out for someone who might be struggling in a situation and offering help and guidance goes a long way, it’ll make your production better, give everyone more confidence and probably get the work done quicker in the long run. In turn, don’t be afraid to ask for help if it’s not forthcoming – everyone is busy, and they may not have noticed the pressure you’re under. Check in with one another during the day, particularly at the end of the day, to see how people are. Simple questions like, How has your day been? What would have helped you? How could we do this differently tomorrow?
Effective Communication:
Clear and efficient communication is the backbone of any successful video production. When crew members get along, it enhances communication among the team. A positive and harmonious working environment encourages open dialogue, enabling crew members to express their thoughts, concerns, and suggestions without hesitation. This transparent communication fosters better coordination, minimises misunderstandings, and leads to smoother operations.
Finally:
So if you work hard, support each other, and enjoy the experience and the company while trusting your fellow crew, there’s a really good chance of success. And if it feels good, you’ll want to do more of it, and if you do more, you’ll get more experience, and if you get more experience it’s more likely to go well and you’ll be able to support others in the future – and so it goes around. Happy travels, and don’t forget your toothbrush.
Check out what awesome teamwork can create
