Basic Program for a 2-3 Day Shoot

Making the step from single day production to multiple day production is important. This is the basic program for shooting over two or three days. This configuration, with several post additions, could shoot a full feature film over the course of 12 weekends.

The three day shoot (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) can get you into a half hour show in only two weeks. Non-Commercial productions can be shot with this program because it is easy to recruit crew and staff who can work on the above days. No one will get fired from their regular job for taking two Fridays off in a row.

This is a general program and should not be construed to be exact. Many of these steps occur simultaneously.


Here's the Circle Board for a 2 -3 Day Shoot.



Producer I/T writes or receives about fifteen pages of script written in standard format.


Producer holds post of Director.


Producer designates an Assistant who will be Key PA.


Producer, hires a Production Manager who, with Producer, breaks down and analyzes the script to determine what actors, location(s), props and wardrobe will be needed.


A budget is prepared.


Producer hires an Art Director that is suitable to the Director and PM.


Director gets started interviewing and casting the actors.


Production Manager hires a Location Scout who gets started on securing the location(s) to film in. He does this to the Director's specifications and the Producer's final approval.


When the Director has okayed the shooting location(s), the Production Manager has each location owner sign a Location Agreement granting use.


Production Manager hires a Food Caterer.


The Production Manager asks the Director to make recommendations as to who he would like to have for:

a) Director of Photography/Camera Operator


b) Assistant Director (AD)


c) Production Sound



From the list recommended by the Director, the Production Manager signs a DP, AD and Production Sound that is okay and within the budget. (Since vast scheduling is not required on a short shoot, it is not necessary to bring in an AD at the script breakdown stage.)


The Production Manager asks the Director of Photography/DP to recommend the following:

a) Gaffer


b) Assistant Cameraman


c) Key Grip



The Production Manager asks the Key PA to suggest and recruit extra Production Assistants, who will generally assist and stand by incase someone must be replaced. The Key PA supervises any additional PAs for the Producer, when they are not actively helping the Producer. The Producer may assign PAs to help whoever needs extra help at his or her sole discretion. A PA Pool is formed.


If there are to be titles, the Art Director arranges for the titles to be created, holding the Titles Artist post.


If there are to be Props, the Art Director arranges for all Props.


Art Director hires an Assistant/Makeup Artist. Additional Assistants, as needed, can be recruited from the PA Pool.


Production Sound man hires Boomman. Boomman can be someone from the PA Pool.


Food Caterer hires Assistant(s). Assistants can be someone from the PA Pool.


The AD finalizes the crew and enters the names and phone numbers onto a "Staff & Crew" list.


The AD distributes the "Staff & Crew" list to all Staff & Crew and makes sure the Title Artist gets copies first so that the Titles can be made ahead of time.


Director makes sure the Title Artist knows what size and aspect ratio the titles must be.


AD confirms calls all Talent, Staff and Crew to determine when each is available and when each is NOT available.


With the availability data, the AD and the Production Manager determine the shooting day(s) and submit it (them) for approval of the Producer. Individuals that are not free must be immediately replaced by someone else if it is found that the majority of the others are available on a given day. This is why the PA Pool is formed early.


Once the Producer finalizes the exact shooting schedule, a "Call Sheet" is prepared. The AD calls everyone and informs them when they should show up and where at least two weeks in advance. Each person confirms his availability. A copy of the Call sheet and is sent to each talent, staff and crew immediately as written confirmation and to let them know the general sequence of events.


A Copy of this Program is sent to the PM, AD, DP and Art Director.


Any talent, staff or crew that are not available are replaced by someone in the PA pool. If no one qualified the PM finds someone, possibly with the help of the Key PA.


The Production Manager arranges for any insurance on the equipment to be in order.


The Production Manager arranges for the pick-up and return of all the equipment.


Everyone arrives on the set at their designated times and the scene or scenes are shot.


After, or before, the production is finished, the Production Manager gets with the Director to be briefed on the editing that will be necessary.


Producer hires an Editor at the approval of the Director.


Production Manager arranges the time and the place for the editing to occur.


Production Manager arranges for any payments that are due.


Dailies are viewed.


The finished scene is screened for all interested talent, crew, friends and associates at a wrap party.



PRODUCTION COMPANY DATA:

Production Title

Production No.

Producer I/T

Production Manager

First Assistant Director


Email

Phone

Mobil Phone


Today's Date

Notes:











© 1989, 1999 by James R. Jaeger II All Rights Reserved