Why Having a Backup Plan is important in Filmmaking (MMM #33)
Greetings everyone,
Madeline here with the 33rd entry in The Movie Minute. For today’s topic, we’ll be going over why it’s important to have a backup or a plan B in the filmmaking world.
Even with attempting to make the filmmaking process as perfect as possible, that doesn’t completely erase the possibility that something may go wrong. That’s why it’s important to have a backup plan in case the unexpected happens – Always be prepared for the worst case scenario, not the best. Murphy’s Law, which states that anything that can go wrong will eventually go wrong, holds true on a film set as well. Weather could change when shooting outdoors. The cast or crew could call in sick. Location permits could be cancelled last-minute. Equipment could malfunction. To some, that might mean all hope is lost and that everything was wasted. But to others, they might have a plan to save the production. Here are some examples of times in filmmaking where a backup plan truly comes in handy:
Audio: Audio is one of the most important elements in film. While having quality equipment such as a RODE Wireless Pro mic set is essential to having high quality audio, relying solely on it for a large production can bear the risk of having a single point of failure. That’s why it’s helpful to have other sources where audio is recorded, such as a Zoom recorder or even a boom mic. And while “fixing it in post” is not always advisable, a little touch up with noise reduction can help when absolutely necessary.
Equipment: No piece of technology, expensive or cheap, brand new or secondhand, can operate without the possibility of failing, even if rare. While it helps to make sure everything is in order before rolling, be prepared to take action if equipment stops functioning for any reason (be sure to have plenty of spare batteries as well!). This is especially true for us since camera/AV stores carry easily replaceable gear that we use for a majority of our productions. We also use third party websites to outsource gear in remote locations.
Talent: Ideally, all cast and crew members should be able to be on set ahead of time before production begins for the day. But things might get hairy if anyone calls in sick or has some other life event that makes them unable to attend. Having someone who is a jack of all trades or can handle different kinds of tasks can help immensely in these cases- that’s why many of us at Poor Bear Stories have multiple skills such as editing and camera operation! We also rely on a trusted network of crew around the country that can show up and fill positions when needed.
Weather: When shooting outdoors, it’s vital to anticipate how the weather will affect the production. One minute it could be perfect, but the next it could be too bright for the image’s exposure- or even heavy rain might come, and we don’t want our camera equipment to be soaking wet (which is why we pack “weather” bags for the cameras)!
Overall, part of telling an amazing story through film is being prepared for anything that might happen. Relying on solely one possible way to get something done bears a huge risk of the whole production being negatively affected if anything goes wrong. That’s why when you prepare for the worst case scenario, that increases your chances that your team will make it through with a quality story to tell.
That’s all for this entry in The Movie Minute. Wishing you all the best, and see y’all in 2! -Madeline
We at Poor Bear Stories are passionate about your story. Creating media that makes a difference is our craft and life’s work. With over 35 years of industry experience, we bring a host of solutions to your brand and media endeavors.
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