Issues before Filming

PROBLEM: actor is late

SOLUTION: Utilise the extra setup time resourcefully. Run through lines or rehearsals with other actors, test out more lighting or camera set-ups that would have taken a bit more time to set up, or, if possible, film scenes or angles where the missing actor isn’t needed, for example film the local people/ local scenery.

PROBLEM: member of crew doesn’t show up at all

SOLUTION: possibly have a second set of shots that people are prepared to shoot (backup plan), and put together a new list of shots providing there is enough of the crew present to do such a task. However depending on if the member of crew actually shows up eventually, it may be a wise idea to consider recreating the shot with a different actor / subject / at a different location. as not Everyone can be replaced and it may be a wise idea to improvise.

PROBLEM: Crew member is late or doesn’t show up at the time when the crew needs to start filming.

SOLUTION: make sure your group have a ridged backup plan in case of a catastrophic unrepresented crew loss ( crew member is ill). Backup plans are especially use full to put in place for people who have a bad habit of skiving/ have medical issues.

PROBLEM: Not enough extras for the shot

SOLUTION: try out new angles and shoot with a range of focal lengths with the camera. Spread people out who you have to create the effect on the screen that the room is packed and lively, add lots of camera movement and get the people to walk fast and act lively, so it appears busy through the screen. Also, maybe change the filming location to a place busier, however make sure to get peoples consent before filming them.

PROBLEM: Actors haven’t memorised their lines leading to unpolished look on the screen.

SOLUTION: when filming with a normal setup say where a single scene is filmed from multiple angles using multiple cameras and lighting techniques, either film the actor who hasn’t memorised their lines last, to give them time to practice and perfect the flow of the subject you are filming, or film in small chunks and piece together the footage in post to give a choppy but consistent effect.

PROBLEM: Someone has to leave early for a doctors appointment etc...

SOLUTION: re-plan the day so that the crew member who has to go early does all their scenes first that need to be shot on the day. however, this will mean filming all their “appearances”, or different angles where they’re the only ones in frame though this can be quite a challenge as it requires another level of planning and also gives the editor a hard time finding which clip goes where.

PROBLEM: Someone gets hurt on set / at location.

SOLUTION: firstly stop all cameras and make sure the person is conscious, also remember to bring a first aid kit to location just in case of this unlikely outcome. if the injured crew member is willing to continue filming/ acting. However take a break before you start filming again and have a conversation about what went wrong and how to avoid what happened in the future so someone else does not get hurt.

PROBLEM: Your planned location is unavailable or only available for short amounts of time.

SOLUTION: Make sure you have a second plan for every possible scenario. If the location is unavailable, is there somewhere else nearby you could access/ film legally. Also you could rewrite the script and scene so it takes place in the new location on a laptop/ phone. If the location's available for a short window of time however , plan a rehearsal before you have your time slot so the shoot itself goes smoother and it is not rushed.

PROBLEM: You’re scheduled to film outdoors and it’s tipping it down with rain.

SOLUTION: There is one or two ways to do this Firstly, you could restructure your scene around the rain. alternatively if your gear is not weather resistant at all then i guess you could film either with a green screen or even film indoors if you know a place where the scene could work, however lighting would need to be thought of as well as accessibility (a small room would be no good).

In conclusion there are many ways that you can both improvise/ pre-plan for some of these occurrences

so always have a backup plan and always carry a first aid kit, also some spare way to get power like a battery pack or spare batteries, and before you even leave to go on shoot double check your batteries are fully charged before you leave to go on the shoot!