"The Rules of Filmmaking... an evolving list"
by Charles Beckwith
- Leave the location or stage in a better condition than you found it.
- Never forget your flashlight.
- Never forget your radio.
- The streets of Hollywood were never paved with gold. Make that your job.
- Never perform an actor's line.
- Always keep your crew well fed and watered.
- One sandbag per light indoors, two if you're outside.
- Watch your language, kids show up at the oddest times.
- Tagging someone with C-47's is not a crime unless you're caught in the act.
- Only the director may say or grant the authority to say "action," or "cut."
- Keep the assistant directors informed about EVERYTHING. Give them a department status report at least every 30 minutes. If something is going to be delayed or ready ahead of schedule then they should know that immediately.
- Never ask someone to do something you would not.
- Never be afraid to ask someone to do something you cannot.
- The set should be treated more like a temple where the filmmakers are the monks, and less like a saloon where the filmmakers are the customers.
- If you're not needed, be nearby.
- If there is not a phone list then compile one and distribute it. There are always movies down the road where you may want someone or someone may want you.
- Never let an actor take home a prop or costume that you cannot easily replace.
- Never pay for an investor's lunch.
- Never unplug an unfamiliar cable.
- The director should never hire or fire anyone directly unless it is their personal assistant.
- Filmmaking is definitely a collaborative process, but not so much a communal process. There needs to be a leadership structure like you would have on a ship.
- Never shoot in an actively hostile location.
- Master lighting with one source first.
- The lowest ranked person in the room is the most important one to have on your side.
- "In a crisis people need to feel like soldiers, not victims." - The West Wing
- Know all the rules before you break them.
- When all else fails, ask yourself "What would John Ford do?"
version 3.2, released the 30th of October 2005
all versions (C) 2003-2006 Ched Beckwith
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