5 Stupid Things You’ll Forget On A Film Shoot
By: Mark Bettencourt
Tags: Filmmaking, Videos, Creativity, Art, Social Media

Tape Does Fix Everything.

Admit it. You’ve forgotten tape before. You swear there’s a partially melted, contorted roll in the back of your car and come to find out, somebody never put it back the last time someone was looking for the tape. Chances are you’ll need a quick set dressing fix or camera blocking marks during rehearsals. At the least, you’ll need to tidy up cables, so nobody onset has a nice trip. Don’t be stupid. Have a whole case of tape in different colors as part of your field kit.

What’s a field kit? It’s a clear plastic bin with all the stupid things you’ll need on a location that you don’t always think about but always end up using like tape. And I’m not talking cheap tape. Get gaff tape. On a film set, it really can fix anything. Of course, it would be nice to have something to cut that tape. Or anything for that matter. Right?

Yes, I Have A Knife And I Know How To Use It.

You don’t always equate a knife with a film set until you’re the one struggling to tear something open with your bare hands, wishing you had something sharp to do the job. Don’t let the solution involve your teeth or the sharpest key on your keyring. It doesn’t work as it does in the movies. We should know better, right? MacGyvering on a film set happens more than you think.

And don’t rely on the kindness of locations to have something handy, especially if you’re filming in someone’s house. Chances are they do. But how does that make your production look? What if the owner’s not there to bail you out? Then you’re going through their drawers without them knowing. It’s kind of creepy.

Don’t be creepy. Have something on set that can cut stuff.

A Clean Set Is A Film Friendly Set.

Every dust bunny, smear, or window streak will show on camera. Even if you want your location to look like an uninhabited hoarder’s den, you and your equipment will end up filthy. So yes, cleaning supplies are essential. The bare minimum is a roll of paper towels, a universal cleaner, and a broom. That alone opens up the possibilities of your location.

And if you make a mess on purpose or accident, the property manager will be grateful if you could leave the place the way you found it. A happy property manager equals less expensive location fees.

Don’t Forget Black Trash Bags.

I’ve been on a film set with no trash bags. The budget wasn’t a thing either. And yes, that Production Assistant felt stupid when they had to run out and buy a bunch of them on their way to get lunch. Then lunch was late. Double whammy!

You tend to acquire garbage on set, and leaving it for your property manager to deal with while convenient, is unprofessional.

Obvious? Yes. That’s why it’s a stupid thing to forget. But I specify black trash bags for a reason. They double as a quick, cheap way of controlling light spill. If you remember to bring the tape, that is. Plus, at the end of the day, when you’re striking set and can’t wait to go home, you can cram a lot of materials in them that you don’t feel like packing as neatly as you did the night before. Just remember which bags to keep and which ones are garbage. That could be an expensive mix-up. Wouldn’t it be great to mark them with something?

The Pen Is Mightier Than The iPad.

So much relies on technology today. People rarely bring hard copies of scripts, storyboards, and schedules anymore because they have it right on their phone or tablet. There are even document signing apps you can use for releases. With everything going digital, you’d think the pen is no longer mighty. Think again. In the middle of blocking and rehearsing scenes, the simplest thing to do is write down a quick stage direction on the floor with tape. (I told you tape is essential on a film set!)

Sharpies are even better. You can color code, and they’re easier to see. And sharpies can also be an excellent set dressing hack. If you’ve got a rainbow of colors, they can fill in almost any paint chips on your props or scratches on your furniture. Besides, do you want to be the person wandering around set, asking, “does anybody got a pen?”

These things may seem like common sense. It might even border on ridiculous to write an article listing these as essential items on a film set. But I’ve seen it happen. And if I’m being honest, I’m guilty of forgetting some of these things too. That’s why these are the stupid things you’ll forget you need on a film shoot after you made sure you had all the fancy gear ready to go. Because nine times out of ten, it’s the little things that’ll make you look more professional and keep your shooting days running smoother.