Behind the Lens

5.10Learning From Mistakes: Block, Light, Rehearse, Shoot

Excuse me for a moment while I adjust my soapbox here… there, that’s better—the view from up here is pretty nice. I feel justified in standing here. Even though I’m about to proselytize to y’all, I’m really about to lecture my own self. I should be so wise as to follow my own advice. So, bear with me, and we can both learn from my mistakes.

As a cameraman I used to preach to directors the mantra of “block, light, rehearse, shoot.” If you’ve worked narrative productions, chances are you’ve lived this mantra (or you should have). It’s a simple philosophy: block your scene with your actors, send them away to makeup and wardrobe or their trailers or the craft service table—anywhere but the ...