Now, after the more laborious tasks have been completed, financial backing is secured, crew and cast members have been hired, it is now time to actually shoot the film. At this stage it is not uncommon for more crew member to be hired and the production office has the capabilities to create any position or role to suite the various responsibilities that arise throughout the duration of the filming, for example, picture editor, sound editors, property master etc.
Shooting may not physically start for many days. The grip, electric and production crews are usually working an agenda that it is ahead of the camera and sound departments due to the construction of sets. Dressing, and lighting needing to be completed prior to filming. Generally, while a particular scene is being filmed they will already be preparing for the next one to ensure efficiency within the time-scale and budget.
As the equipment is prepared by the film crew, the cast are wardrobed in the appropriate costumes and undergo the transformations performed by the hair and make-up departments. The actors generally have a brief rehearsal of the scripts with the director and camera/sound crews to enable any necessary tweaks. Finally, the filming can begin, although the amount of takes is always at the discretion of the director.
When the director calls “cut!” the camera and sound stop recording. Any continuity issues are logged by the script supervisor and technical notes are taken by the camera teams to provide a brief synopsis of the shoot. If the director decides that no more additional takes need to be taken, the crew moves onto the next “setup” or camera angle until the complete scene is finished or “covered”. Once the director, or assistant director calls “wrap” the crew then dismantle or “strike” the set for that scene.
Hours can be long and often in fairly remote locations so strong team relationships are built. When the film shoot is completed, or more commonly referred to as “in the can”, it is not unusual for a wrap party to be organized by the production office for the crew and cast.