There are many working parts to a movie set, from equipment to the cast to the production crew. All these moving parts mean there are plenty of opportunities for problems to arise. Machinery can malfunction and people can get injured — a film set is truly a place where Murphy’s law applies.
Here are some common problems filmmakers experience on set and how to address them.
1. Unexpected Inclement Weather
Mother Nature cannot be controlled and will likely interrupt filming more than once. The best thing to do is plan for inclement weather as much as possible. Learning to improvise when things go awry can be your greatest asset as a filmmaker.
Learn to work with whatever the weather throws at you and have the tools to protect your gear and equipment readily available. You should keep backup batteries, camera sleeves, a lens hood and umbrellas on hand. Let your camera acclimate to the temperature for at least 30 minutes before using it, and keep backup batteries on your person to absorb body heat when shooting in the cold.
2. Overloading Your Vehicle With Equipment
There is so much equipment and gear that goes into making a film. Since it’s expensive and time is precious, you might want to transport it all yourself, which can be too much for one trip. A trailer is an excellent tool for filmmakers since it can haul everything you need safely to shooting locations.
There are consequences to overloading your vehicle that might not be worth the risk. An overloaded van can take longer to slow down and make steering difficult, putting you and others at risk of an accident. Overloading can damage your vehicle in many ways, such as causing the suspension system to fail, impacting the tires, axles and alignment.
3. Film Crew Accidents and Injuries
Many occupational hazards are present in filmmaking. Injuries can happen anywhere, but props, weather and stunts play a significant role in making a film. You may be on a tight budget, but protecting yourself and your staff should be a top priority.
It might seem like an unnecessary expense, but no matter how careful you are, accidents are bound to happen. Cast and crew can trip over wires or be hurt by an explosive from a stunt that’s defective or isn’t handled properly.
You cannot control everyone on set as much as you’d like to, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Film production insurance can protect you, your cast, your crew and your equipment. There are multiple types of insurance at various rates for your film, so find what suits your budget. Employees are working hard and lots of time and money are invested, so why not protect things at all costs?
4. Unavailable or Limited Location
Location doesn’t have to affect your budget, but it typically does. Scouting can help you save money and allocate funds toward other filming expenses. So much planning goes into making a film that it’s easy to forget, overlook minute details or overbook a date.
However, some instances are out of your control and can mess up filming despite your best intentions. A location you booked months back could have double booked by accident or only have limited time available.
Your lead actor has an emergency and can’t make it or one of your crew is late and your time at that location is blown. What should you do? This is where a backup plan can save the day. Rework your scene if possible to accommodate for the availability mishap. Consider another scene you can dive into while you have the space before returning to the one you had originally planned.
5. Inevitable Scheduling Delays
All filmmakers experience delays due to scheduling, location availability, cast and crew conflict, and myriad other reasons. Try to allocate time in your planning and budget for mishaps that can occur along the way. Leave wiggle room for things that could delay filming, such as injuries.
Protect your staff by not pushing them past their limits. Fatigue is a genuine concern in the film industry and can put everyone’s safety at risk. Ensure you have a safe working environment by providing cooling and rest stations and encouraging everyone to take care of themselves first.
Consider extending the time needed to break down equipment to leave an extra block of space if required for filming. Reshooting scenes is often inevitable, regardless of how big your production is. Things happen, so the best way to prepare is to understand that they’re likely and plan for them as much as possible.
Addressing Common Issues on Set
Learning how to roll with the punches is essential to filmmakers because issues are inevitable. Managing common problems that arise can be challenging, but knowledge comes with experience. Do your best to avoid mishaps and deal with them calmly and collectively as they arise.
