Test-Shoot Rehearsals on Video

By Greg Pak

When I'm shooting fiction, I always try to have my cinematographer come to a rehearsal (ideally on location) with a video camera to shoot some of the set ups we've discussed. This way, before the shoot, we have a chance to see what we're talking about regarding camera movement and frame.

Test shooting rehearsals on video also gives the D.P. and director a chance to find new and better camera angles for scenes based on how the actors are moving in the locations. Always good to do this ahead of time -- saves some scrambling on the actual set.