A Director's Conversation with Craft Services

Napoleon Bonaparte is quoted as saying that an army marches on its stomach.  So, with that in mind, as a filmmaker you have to give the proper thought to something which is often overlooked.  Feeding the mighty horde that is your production team.  The last thing you need is them turning on you in some kind of zombie-like feeding frenzy.

Whether a big budget or a DIY short film, craft services can really add to or take away from your entire production.

Ask anyone about a film they worked on and inevitably one of the top 3 things you hear is about craft services and how the crew were treated.  With your reputation and happiness of the crew in mind, here are a few topics to discuss with your craft services manager if you have a budget, or your mom, if your studio is your back yard.

Will you need electricity, if so how many plugs?

Hot and cold are a necessary part of crafty, when the temperature drops you need hot coffee and apple cider.  Also early morning or late night coffee could be very important on long days of production.  Lights on the crafty table for early morning and late night shoots.

How many people are on your team?

If you need to free up a PA for running errands or security at the table, that might take away from the actual production, think ahead and schedule any necessary runs for refills around breaks and while local stores are open.  If craft services has to run to an all night gas station or grocery store, someone needs to keep an eye on the craft services area.

Is food delivery part of our craft services plan?

Director, DP and main actors might not get a break to slip away for craft services.  Can a small snack run be brought to the main set?  You don't want the craft services too close to the production, otherwise noise might be an issue.

Will you handle your own trash?

In a remote location, your crew needs to know if they will be responsible for clean up.

Any other special needs craft services will need?

Any special food preparation areas or special menus craft services is planning that will require location or studio preparation?  Doing something special or extra ordinary is always a fun way to show the crew they are important to what you are trying to accomplish.

Having these conversations ahead of time will help, and hopefully keep those annoying set surprises to a minimum.  You'll have enough of those anyway.

Now get out there and tell some stories!

Zacuto camera shootout

Okay kids, I just ran across this terrific video of Zacuto's 2010 camera shootout comparing film cameras to DSLR cameras for use in filmmaking.  It's a must watch for anyone thinking of shooting indie films.  The level of detail and thought that went into the tests is amazing.  Great job Zacuto, thanks for providing this information.  Some great tips on lighting and things to watch out for while shooting with DSLRs.

Walking Dead

I know we all love the indies, but we have to give props to the great production team at The Walking Dead.  They are starting up season 2 and just released these photos on their website.  The production team is terrific.  Photo links here.

Made a film? There's an App for that.

Our friends at Film Threat have put together some excellent information on creating Apps for your film.  It's really great information and there is a transcript of the Twitter panel discussion.

Access the webpage at http://www.filmthreat.com/features/34231/.

Check it out, if you try it, let us know your experience.

AMC's The Walking Dead: Flu Factor 7/10

We have to rave a second about The Walking Dead.  AMC's new series based on the comic book of the same name by Image Comics.  It's a world stricken by a zombie apocalypse.  We here at Lunchbox Movies have to give the first episode a 7/10 on our Flu Factor movie rating system.  Our Flu Factor systems takes into account:

1.  How long does a movie stay with you?  It can be the style or the message, editing or music.  How long after the credits roll do you carry the movie around with you.

2.  How easy is it to catch again?  The worst movies are the ones that you only want to watch once, sometimes not even once.  When experiencing a good story you should look forward to exploring all the layers to that story.

3.  How easy is it to share with others?  By recommending a movie to strangers without a shared point of reference, your credibility is stepping out onto a shaky ledge.  You might want to have some conviction about your judgment before inflicting them on others.

For The Walking Dead we think the show was beautifully filmed and edited.  The music and special effects (practical and CGI) were terrific and realistic.  The characters were, at least on the introduction, likable.  The story was not overly burdened with exposition on how, why and WTF?  Just enough to let you in, not too much boring dialog on the philosophical meanings, and none of the characters did the incredibly insulting, "what do you mean, what's a zombie?" As if George Romero was born in another dimension.  
All in all we can't wait for the next episode.  Well done AMC (http://www.amctv.com/originals/The-Walking-Dead/) and Valhalla Motion Pictures (www.valhallamotionpictures.com).  We look forward to the next episode.