What Do I Need To Have a Successful Shoot?

In class, we made a list of all things that we thought we would need to have a successful film shoot. We had two minutes to think of as much as possible, and then conferred with the class to come up with more ideas.

I came up with...

• A tripod
• A camera!
• A camera bag (with leads and cables, such as chargers)
• Your script
• Any production notes
• Protective equipment for the camera, and other equipment (in case of events such as rainfall, etc.)
• Tape (if your camera is not digital)

Through discussion, as a class, we decided that we would also need...

• Props, costumes and make-up
• Your storyboard and shot list
• Actors!
• An appropriate location/setting with maps to show you how to get around (and, of course, permission to use such areas)
• Portable lighting, if available
• Health & safety checks, and a First Aid kit
• Refreshments
• A crew, including director and stylists, if possible
• A schedule/time frame to stick to
• A base (whether it is a trailer, a house or anywhere else) for the actors to stay in whilst they are not filming
• Transport
• Money
• Gaffa tape! (This is to mark where actors are going to stand, props are going to be held, etc, so that there are no continuity issues in the finished product)