Minimum crew to effectively shoot with the RED

[Yash B]

On those types of shoots where you control the crew, let's say for a small music video you're directing, what's the smallest crew size you've worked with that was quite effective? And which members can you absolutely not do without on some shoots?

 

[James Falco]

You will need to factor location, time, budget, and subject to determine how small of a crew you can get away with.
I have gotten away with one assistant holding a battery powered LED panel or a bounce board.
But for example I could not shoot a big crowd in a club with the same set up, because controlling the lighting, the crowd and the environment is not a two man crew job. ; )

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[Glen Powell]

How many extras?
How many in the band?
Band wearing their own wardrobe?
Studio / locatoin?
How many locations?
Where are the locations?
How many set-ups?
House power?
Genny?
Jib arm / crane?
Track dolly?
Day / night?
Package truck?
Windows to cover?
How many record label people?
Pyro?
Funky Lenses?
How long is the day?
How many people are you feeding?
How (insert the innumerable things that I've forgotten here)?

Hmmm... I'd say the two crew members I can't do without are the Producer & the P.M. - who take care of all that so I can focus on the creative.

 

[Wil Wong]

I've done many low budget music videos where there is usually:

1. the director/DP/Camera Op, - (ONLY if you have experience using the RED Epic/Scarlet, otherwise split the director and Op jobs).
2. the Artist
3. friends or actors also in the video
4. Optional - makeup artist
5. Optional - additional crews for music playback, Grip, Cam Op, or slate

This is a small a crew as you can go. Obviously if you start adding in lots of lights (non battery powered), a dolly, or lots of locations, it'll help to have a crew member or two who can be the grip or help camera op or even be in charge of playback of the song during the shoot.

The trick is to record the entire song nonstop at each location (so that syncing is easier later in post) especially if you aren't slating it. Make sure the Red has scratch audio too. If you only do portions, it might take longer and be harder to edit later. This is assuming the song is only 3-5mins like a normal song.

One thing to avoid is the artist having too many friends around (unless they are in a party scene). More people doesn't mean more help. Friends of the artist have a different reason for being there. They're there to support their friends and have fun. Not necessarily work.

Hope this helps.

 

[Glen Powell]

One thing to avoid is the artist having too many friends around (unless they are in a party scene). More people doesn't mean more help. Friends of the artist have a different reason for being there. They're there to support their friends and have fun. Not necessarily work.

Hope this helps.

This is a key point - even your own friends who say they will come and help out... leave them at home.

 

[Phil Holland]

Smallest crew size = 1.

Smallest realistic crew size = typically 2-10.

Larger productions are certainly a luxury as there's plenty of hands on deck to get things done. And more importantly get things done right and quickly.

I've made short films in the past and often shoot on my own other types of gigs. But I have lights, dolly, track, jib, etc.... And I also enjoy rigging and building setups. Had to keep track of wardrobe on one and make up. If I had to build a set or really manage a lot of hats it would have been wrong. So wrong. But if you are comfortable and can hustle and remain calm you'd be surprised on what you can get done on your own.

That said, as a DP/Director. A good 1st AC and 2nd AC to have that you have good communication "bonding" with allows for a lot of freedom.

My last two man shoot I had an AC mainly managing lens changes, camera position moves, and media management while I split my time from Directing/DPing to Gaffing during prep and moves. 5 lights, a few flags and filtration. A bunch of setups, client happy.

 

[Elsie N]

On those types of shoots where you control the crew, let's say for a small music video you're directing, what's the smallest crew size you've worked with that was quite effective? And which members can you absolutely not do without on some shoots?

I'd say it depends entirely on either how much you are being paid, or how much of your own you are willing to spend. Crew accordingly.

I've often shot unpaid things by myself, with two cameras. The Redmote is absolutely necessary when doing that. Furthermore, I've done the editing as well and knowing I would be editing, I shot for the edit. That is, I edited in my head as I was shooting.

But none of those gigs were music videos, so that may have a degree of difficulty that would make it harder to do as a one-man shoot.

 

[Yash B]

Thanks dudes