Hello all, I was thinking about sharing with you how important prep is for any filming day to be completed succesfully. The best way to do this, is by example. So I am jumping right in...We had to film a scene which more or less, was this: "in a fishing boat, in the middle of the sea, two women are fighting with a knife, trying to throw each other overboard. The very young protagonist is hiding in the boat. As the women were fighting, he tried to stop them, and he ended up falling overboard".
Before I start, I need to add that this was a very low budget film, so as filmmakers, we had to find the best solutions, with the little money that we had. First of all we had extensive discussions with the director and all the teams involved, to understand the needs to succesfully deliver this scene. We decided we would actually film most of the scene in the open waters, close though to the shore. We found a bay were waters were always calm and not very deep.
The results for the filming day were: 1)Many boats. We had the scene boat, plus four more. A side boat where the filming crew was, camera, sound, AD etc. A second boat with additional crew and monitor, make up, hair, wardrobe, etc. A third boat with security personnel, doctor, first aid team, safety divers, stunts etc. A fourth fast small boat to carry people back and forth to the shore, from any of these boats. 2) Catering that day was planned according to this scene, not many fluids, light food etc, 3) We had bought different types of anti-nausea or motion sickness candies, like more pharmaceutical or more natural. 4) We had life vests for everybody, who were oblidged to wear during filming. 5) We had been sending for a week before, instructions of how to have a more comfortable filming day to all crew with call sheets, like sleep early, don't eat late, don't drink the day/night before. 6) We had purchased firm boat shoes for all crew that were on the action boat. 7) Rehearsals on the boat while it as anchored to the marina, for the fight and the moment up to the fall in the water. 8) The actual fall was filmed in a pool.
9) Although we captured sound, we had planned and did ADR for the dialogue.
What do you think of these measures? Were they enough, do you think we have missed something? I would love to hear your thoughts.
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Great idea to share how important prep is, Elena Priovolou! I think it's important to have extensive discussions with the director and all the teams involved first. I've heard problems and mistakes happen sometimes on set because people aren't on the same page.
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Totally yes, filmmaking is first the art of sharing what one has in their mind.
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GREAT work with your planning! Also, kudos that you attempted work around a boat - water may be the most dangerous to work with! The fact that you had a 3rd boat with all emergency personell tells me that no matter how "low" the budget, you still found a way to keep everyone safe - and FEELING safe - which is the most important thing.
I do think having a postmortem meeting with your team is worthwhile so you can find out directly from the people you worked with what could have gone better. Your 1st AD, your DP, your lead cast for sure - just to check in with them but also so you get actionable information. That's just my two cents ;-)
Will you be sharing BTS photos as well?! :-D
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This is part of the "fleet"
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Rescue team
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And paradise :)
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Gosh, I never thought how complicated the preparation of a scene like that could be...!
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As a composer that also works on sound design and post-production audio I'm very pleased that you included good sound prep in your list
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Elena Priovolou, this is an incredible breakdown of practical, thoughtful, and safety-first filmmaking. Thank you for sharing such a detailed look behind the scenes. This kind of transparency is so valuable, especially for indie and low-budget teams who are navigating how to scale ambition to resources.
Your prep list is not only comprehensive, it shows real care for your cast and crew. Coordinating multiple boats, rehearsals in a controlled environment, pre-call communication, and planning ADR in advance. These are the kinds of decisions that make or break a tough shoot day.
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Always a good idea, Kay, to do an AAR - After Action Review to ground what's been learned from the experience, what worked, what didn't, etc.
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Elena -- very impressive prep -- we can all learn from what you shared. Thanks much.
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Thank you all so much for your kind words and smart ideas. I really appreciate them and will definitely use them! <3