Originally posted to my Facebook Page in 2012 – Still holds true
Dear fledgling directors/ producers,
Just a friendly note for making a better production.
On set you should always have the following things for your actors: Water, Chairs, Coffee/ Tea and, if the shoot is longer than 4 hours, food. If the shoot is outdoors you should also have a holding area that is protected from the elements.
See, our voices and bodies are the tools that you are using to make a product.
If we are dehydrated, hungry, cold, or sore from having to stand for 8 hours (or more) we will not be able to work as well.
Think of it like this- you wouldn’t leave your camera standing in the rain for several hours and not have power sources for it. Don’t do that to your actors either.