1) Get The Movie Shot
You're number one job. Above all else. Is to do whatever it takes to get the movie made.
This is going to mean making sacrifices, cutting corners, knowing what you can cut and what must be kept.
It would be great to get multiple angles on each shot, to get multiple takes, but you don't have the time or money to afford that luxury.
You have to know going into this that it is not going to be perfect. It is not going to be exactly as you imagined it to be. As long as it gets done, it will all be worth it.
There are more and more indie movies being made. Sundance just had over 3,800 FEATURE FILMS submitted last year. There are probably twice as many that simply don't ever finish.
Your job is to make sure that your film doesn't slip through the cracks. It's going to mean doing different things than we had to do to get our movie made.
You'll face different challenges, face different dillemmas, but just make sure that you keep your focus on getting across the finish line.
2) Respect People's Time
There are going to be long hours on set. That's unavoidable. What is avoidable is not having people on set when they are not needed.
Make sure you schedule your actors to be there when they are needed. Plan what scenes you are shooting first. Even giving the actor an extra hour away from set can save someone's sanity and stop a temper tantrum from erupting.
Also, it usually takes a lot longer for lights to set up than sound. Maybe give your sound guy a later call time by an hour or so. They'll appreciate it and be in a better mood on-set.
4) It's OK to Laugh
There is a difference between goofing off and having fun. You want to make sure that you stay on track, but at the same time you have to remember to enjoy the moment.
3) You need them more then they need you.
Maybe one day you can be a tyrant and fire people on a whim. But for now, when people are working for little to no money, you have to be very, very nice.
It means swallowing your pride. Realizing that if your cinematographer gets pissed and storms off set taking his camera. You're screwed and lost at least a day, probably a lot more.
Please and Thank You go a long way.
