Pre-Production Activities
(c) Peter D. Marshall
1) Location Scouts
– the location manager has a concept meeting with the producers
and the director after reading the script
– the location manager finds as many choices as possible for the
Director
– (always try and group as many locations together as possible)
– scouts: Director/Location Manager/1st AD/Producer/PM or UPM/Art
Director/Transportation Co-ord or a Driver
First Scouts (when their is lots of time!)
– does it work for the Director
– does it work for the schedule
Last Scouts (when their is no time left!)
– does it work for the schedule
– does it work for the director
2) Department Head Meetings
The director should have the following meetings:
– concept meeting with producers/location manager/art director
– script meeting with producers and writer (if available)
– casting meeting with producers and casting director
– costumes
– props
– set dec
– special FX
– stunts
– extra casting
– transportation
– other (animals,optical FX)
– visit the set and talk to – DOP/hair & make up/sound/actors
3) Director/1st AD Meeting
– go through the script scene-by-scene
– give the AD a list of all special equipment needed
(crane, steadicam, circle track, special lenses, insert car etc.)
– find out what he thinks/what he says/what he wants
4) Production Co-Ordinator
– consult them regarding your travel, hotel arrangements, family
travel etc.
5) Production Manager
– go over all concerns with PM (budget etc)
– prep is the time to organize (make mistakes on paper)
– go in prepared and speak your mind (“CYA”!)
– let them know if you foresee a problem early (overtime etc.)
6) Extra Casting Meeting/Budget
– 1AD, 2AD, Extra Casting, Costume Designer go over the extra’s
for the show
7) Stunts and Special FX
– get to know the Stunt Co-ordinator and SPFX Co-ordinator
– (the 1AD is the on-set Safety Supervisor-Safety Meetings)
– go over all details of a stunt or special FX so you know the
potential dangers, length of time for shooting and other details
8) Animals
– talk to the trainers about the animals and the script
– take time to watch them rehearse the animals
– find out the animal’s specific feeding times, work times habits
9) Children
– scheduling is more difficult with children under age 16
– get to know the parents, guardians and tutors
– always be honest with parents and tutors. Let them know what is
really going on regarding time etc.
10) Day-Out-Of-Days(DOD)
– this shows you the work, travel, hold days for all actors
11) One Liner
– sets the schedule out on a “one line” basis for quick
reference (usually on Movie Magic)
12) Key Location Survey
– Director, 1AD, 2AD, PM, LM, ALM, Producer, Set Dec, Art
Director, DOP, Grip, Gaffer, Transportation Captain, Construction
Co-ord, Sound
13) Production Meeting
– review of all production arrangements and the director’s
concepts
– the AD reads through the script scene-by-scene (no dialogue)
and not by the one-liner
– every department discusses with the director their specific
requirements
– it is an open discussion about the show
– it is usually the last time anything can be asked for by the
director (re: budget)
14) The Shooting Schedule (1AD)
– the show information (individual elements) is put into
breakdown pages for distribution to crew
15) Stock Shots, Second Unit, Video Playback, Photographs, Inserts
– these items have a tendency to be forgotten. Make sure the AD
has noted them
Copyright (c) 2002 Peter D. Marshall / All Rights Reserved
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