How to Do a Shoot

Filmmakers in Indonesia1. Assembling a team – Depending on the circumstances, a shoot can warrant anywhere between two tireless super-camera people and more than a dozen crew members to make the production go smoothly and come out looking stellar. A still photographer and a lawyer are also key ingredients.

 

2. Gathering the equipment – In most major cities, a creative team with a few good connections can acquire the necessary equipment on loan at little or no cost. A professional high definition video camera, shotgun and wireless microphones, a tripod, a wide-angle lens, plenty of batteries, and a good camera for stills are the only true essentials. A vehicle, two-way radios, lighting, and even a small generator can be useful tools.

 

3. Finding an on-screen participant – Using the selection diagram, and checking in with the Global Lives coordinators, verify which categories have already been filled. Within the given bounds, try to find a person who is not camera-shy, will talk openly about their life and surroundings, and whose life is visually interesting.

 

4. The life story interview – The pre-shoot interview is essential to the success of the shoot and the project, giving the eventual audience background knowledge of the participant. It also builds trust between the crew and the participant, emphasizing the fact that the person’s individual story, and not just their single day is important to the project.

 

5. The Big Day – The day of the shoot will inevitably be filled with surprises. The support vehicle gets towed, the crew stumbles into a drug deal in progress, the microphone’s odd-sized batteries run out of juice—be prepared! We also advise camera people to interact casually with the on-screen participant, asking questions and letting the participant feel free to narrate any part of their day.