Shoot Day (Preparation/Notes)

It is important to prepare extensively before shoot day, and I made sure to scout out the location and plan my shots before it and create a checklist for all of the gear, props, costumes etc. I would need. 

I sent my shot-list video to my phone from my computer so that I would have it on me (for timing and exact shot descriptions) during production. 

Checklist for Shoot Day:

(I wrote this checklist on my notes app so that it would transfer automatically between my computer and my phone through iCloud.)

Text written here:

• Novikof’s Costume: waistcoat, pants, blazer, yellow collared shirt, tie, leather satchel
• Guard’s Costume: hat pin, ushanka hat, coat, belt buckle
• Tripod
• Camera (Sony AX33 4K) with charged batteries AND SD card with available storage
• My phone with the shot-list, images references for the extras costumes, room request approval form, list of extras with their schools and downloaded and connected drone app
• Printed volunteer service hour sheets to give to all extras (print at least 15 with 3 hours on the form for “Assistance with Coral Springs Charter AICE Media Production”)
• Drone with case and 2 charged batteries and extra blades
• Novikof’s Book (with 2 sleeves and book jacket)
• Walkie Talkie painted black
• Tan-colored masks
• Neewer Reflectors 
• Rode shot gun boom mic
• Boom mic pole
• 2 Lav Mics
• Wifi RGB Led Bulb on lamp
• Yellow 100 foot extension cord

Scouting out Location for Shots:

South Florida Bible College: 

These images shot two days before shoot day allowed me to practice and prepare, setting up specific angles, like the canted angle running shots down the hall to the exit. 

Shoot Day:

I packed all of the items on my checklist into the van:

I arrived at South Florida Bible College (the first location) and met Mr. Horton, the actor playing the guard. I had him try on the costume and hat, and both fit acceptably. We went into the building and designated a location for the gear, props, costumes, etc. 

I hadn't seen the modern television or the Mac computers on my trip up there two days prior, so I needed to quickly rethink some shot angles in order to avoid them being seen. I was able to chose a far enough away shelf on the opposite of where I had planned before in order to get the best shots without getting any modern technology in the frame. 

The actress playing the women and her dog came next, and we went over her role and where she would stand. The dog was extremely obedient. 

The actor playing Novikof then arrived, and I had Mr. Horton help him get on his costume, ensuring the tie was tied just right. Then my other extras arrived one by one. We shot the scenes with some of the extras in the library alone while Novikof was getting dresses and as soon as he was, we took to outside (as the weather was forecast to rain hard an hour after) and shot the drone shot and nice dog shots. I then gave out the volunteer hour sheets and sent all of my extras home. 

Then I shot all of the shots inside SFBC with the guard and Novikof, recording ADR and foley from the two actors. It was lucky we had shot the outside shots in time, as it did pour heavily on the drive from the first location to the second. I only had the guard, Novikof, and me drive to the second location, which was supposed to be a half an hour away, but it ended up and hour and a half away as the roads were so wet and traffic was so bad. 

Since the Alvin Sherman Library (the second location) is open until 11 PM, everything worked out well. We were not stopped by any personnel and there were hardly any patrons there. The shoot day was definitely a success.