If the title of this post makes you say, “huh”, I’d say, “Welcome to the club of idiots who know nothing about our filmy world”. Before you get worked up because I called YOU and idiot, let me tell you that I too belong to this club. A couple of months ago, my only exposure to lights-camera-action was the drive-by-shooting which we all have seen and my reaction to this post would have been ‘huh’ too. But things are different now. I have a first hand experience of what shooting & directing are all about (at least that’s what I think). Greedy for action, read on….

It was 6 in the morning and I had to reach Akasa Beach, in Mumbai, at 8 am. Bleary eyed, I did manage to get up and get there but I was in a foul mood – waking up this early in the morning sucks. But, in no time, my mood changed – I began thinking about why I don’t come to Akasa beach often and if I were to spend some days here, it would be great. The weather was nice because it was cool (thanks to the fact that it was Feb). The beach was calm and a wonderful place to be in. We started our day with breakfast and some hot tea / coffee. I must say, it was very well organized. I mean, when was the last time you went somewhere for work & people actually cared about your breakfast? But, this was only the beginning of a long, long day and ‘well organized breakfast’ doesn’t do justice to the whole experience.

Quickly, we wrapped up breakfast and headed to the beach where the shoot was going to take place. From a distance I could see about 50 – 60 people, a lot of screens (sun & the reflecting kinds), a crane, a camera, some boats & other usual things. When I got there, I got a close up of all that was arranged for. Everyone was buzzing with excitement & everyone was occupied. My crew (myself & a couple of colleagues) were promptly seated with the director & other folks from our advertising agency. Since this was my first time at a shoot, I couldn’t help asking questions like: When does this start? What will they shoot first? etc. What took me by surprise was the fact that a shed had been made for us (including the director & his team) to block the sun and there were lots of chairs arranged around a TV monitor. Being my usual self, I asked, “What do we need this monitor for?” Someone then explained that this is called a ‘camera assist’ and when the shooting starts, the director sits here and calls the shots: Standby. Roll Camera. Action! I was a bit dumbfounded and asked, “Doesn’t he actually take the camera and shoot?” Hearing my question, my colleagues laughed & mentioned that the ‘camera man’ did the shooting but the director sat under the shade, behind a ‘camera assist’ and did his work. This seemed like a good job to have - leave all the dirty work to someone else while you sit and direct what needs to be done and how. TO BE CONTINUED IF I EVER GET DOWN TO IT….Check out some photos...























Cheers!
NavinM

Tags: film, fropper, shooting