Ready to roll? One last check! Now is not the moment to fuss over a minor detail - although it is still the time to point out a drastic problem.
When you are ready to roll
Call to everyone to:
"QUIET PLEASE"
This is great to focus and concentrate the whole crew. Then:
"STAND BY - READY TO GO FOR A TAKE"
Anyone who is not ready should quickly make themselves so. Look at each department as you call the questions:
"SOUND"
If you are working on video it is likely you are reliant on the camera to actually record, however you should still respond to confirm with
"READY"
"CAMERA"
After the camera operator has checked they have been rolling for five seconds they respond "CAMERA ROLLING" or "SPEED" Then:
"MARK IT"
If an announcement and clapper are being used, this would be done now. Then look to actors to make sure they are ready, and either the 1st AD or director says:
"AND.... ACTION!"
Although everyone knows what should happen next, it is a good habit for actors to take a breath and not dive straight into their line or movement as soon as they hear "Action" called - the shot will probably be more believable, and definitely easier to edit.
don't call cut too soon
Encourage your director to pause a moment before bellowing 'cut', and encourage your camera person to wait a few moments before stopping. This all helps in the edit.
"3, 2, 1, Action" can encourage participants to think of filming as a race - learning this method allows the team to develop a calm methodical approach
Remember
- Quiet Please
- Stand By - Ready to go for a take
- Sound
- Camera
- And action
Sound too cliched to be true? That's because it works!
If you are running a rehearsal, then instead of "Ready to go for a take" the call would be "Ready to go for a rehearsal"