Movie Making: What to Do On Set Between Takes

The magic of filming is that the world stops around you while you’re working. Making a movie requires complete immersion and focus to truly be in the moment of creation.

However, a lot of filmmaking is “hurry up and wait.” Hurry up and get in hair and makeup! And. Wait. Hurry up and rehearse the scene. And wait. Hurry up and film one angle. Then wait. Finish one scene. And wait. It’s a lot of hustle and bustle…and then patiently waiting.

But while you’re waiting, as an actor, you still need to be at the ready.

So it is helpful for you to find ways to keep it all alive until “action.”

Let’s find out which process works best for you so that you can really deliver after all the waiting.

Movie Making is a Personal Process

I suggest that you use your audition process to begin to figure out what helps you deliver the work in the moment.

Think about these prompts to get started:

• Do you need to focus intensely on a scene for small or long bursts of time when you prep?
• Do you need to play between takes?
• Do you need to do a lot of detailed prep, and then let it all go?
• Do you need to stay in character between takes or scenes?
• Do you need to run lines up until the last moment before you film?
• Do you need to prep and leave it for as many hours or days as possible and then return to it?

It all works.

What works for you? 

After recently being on set for five weeks with a small group of actors from several different countries and acting backgrounds, it was super clear that each actor has their own process. Movie making is an act of creativity, so it is inherently personal.

While one actor disappeared into the trailer for private prep, another walked around with music playing on his shoulder like a boom box. Another actor loved to crack jokes, dance, and practically do standup comedy acts between scenes!

I really love how unique each actor is in all ways…from prep to performance!

Discover your special process that works for you. 

Please use every audition, every class, every coaching, and every job to explore your process. Work with different directors, teachers, and coaches to pick up lots of tips and tools along the way. Talk with other actors about their process. Find your way.

I’d love to work with you to help you identify your best tools for working on set and showing up as a pro with your fellow movie makers.

➡ Browse my acting classes

➡ Join my Acting Collective community

➡ Book or request a private coaching with my team of coaches

Let’s crack your personal acting code.

xHeidi