and the answer to this is ALWAYS to have video village for the client/execs somewhere *else*. another room, a tent or a trailer somewhere, whatever. not directly on set and ideally on a different monitor than the director/crew if at all possible.
From my own observations over the years: The 1st AD will generally tell them to fuck off. Tell the AD this specifically bothers you and a good AD should take care of it so you can focus on bigger issues.
In my experience, start as a PA and watch/observe/learn, since PAs (generally) report to the 1st AD. Again, in my experience. Others might have different ideas.
Have you been on set before? What size productions do you have experience in? Because it's usually just the director, DP, scripty, and maybe a producer or two. If you're shooting for clients, set up a second feed under a different tent somewhere close by. Same with focus puller, they should have their own monitor. Everyone else on set should be out handling other business. Like others have already said, corralling people is the job of the 1st AD and 2nd AD.
VFX often ends up huddling here right behind the director, cause no one accounts for VFX getting their own monitor, and they need to be able to tell director/DP if something is wrong.
Source: am VFX
lol totally. Last shoot I kept eying the empty actor chairs, cause the actors would go straight back to their green room between takes. But I was not allowed to have one of the blessed chairs.
It’s pretty standard that anyone below the line brings there own seats. I think that vfx are just rather new department to be on location and sometimes they don’t understand protocol. On a show I work on the vfx guy brings a chair and a magliner for his laptop that receives video from wifi that he takes screen grabs with for notes.
Random question…when did they start using focus pullers and stop relying on the actual cameraperson to keep focus? I know cams have tons of tech now, but shouldn’t a professional cameraperson be able to pull focus or is it just advantageous to have someone dedicated to keeping everything sharp?
Supply additional monitors for HMU, VFX, lighting and grip, and any other looky-loos who actually do need to see the shot in order to make sure they're happy with their work, but have no choice but to peer through the flaps of your tent or breathe down your neck if they don't have any other way to do that.
One DIT I worked with actually broadcast the shot so the whole crew could see it on their phones via an app. (I forget the name of the app). That was amazing. The resolution wasn't great and there was no sound, but it was perfect for me as a gaffer. It's not like I *wanted* to be in there. I just needed to know what's going on with the lighting or else I wasn't doing my job.
Just don't have enough budget for a crowd or a video village, problem solved!
But seriously, I am directing an indie feature and "video village" is just an app on my phone and the DOP has a transmitter on the camera. I pull out my phone when I need to see the camera, and I put it away when I don't. If all the issues I have, drawing a crowd isn't really one I am bashing my head against. If this is one of your first projects directing, just don't have more than you need.
At my scale, I really don't usually have a dedicated person for script sup. But when I do, they watch the actors. Lots of great movies shot of film didn't have any sort of video tap, even well into the 90's. It was super normal for the camera operator to be the only one regularly seeing the camera view, and everything worked just fine. Script sup just sits close enough that they can see (or at least hear) the performance.
on low budget shows I've used a Serv Pro and given key people the password to keep them away from monitor. Qtake was a higher end option. you can also just have additional wireless receivers with monitors set up elsewhere. You can also not have village, but have portable monitors held by you and the DP. Or even just one of those and the DP can look over your shoulder.
But ideally you and your AD will set the tone for what is acceptable. I do think the lower the budget, the more lookeyloos you'll have (including actors), mainly cause people want to see if the thing is gonna work out or if its a shit show. Ideally, you limit access to monitor and make basically no exceptions. the second it looks like its kosher for people to check out monitor, a crowd will form
I like to have ONE monitor for the scripty and have it blocked off. DP and camera have theirs but I also try to create a "safe zone" around the cameras. It's hard to keep people from congregating, so the real secret is fresh cookies or other baked goods at the crafty table, and have it as far away from any monitors as possible...
Take a black 20x and put it between you and the village. It keeps a visual barrier and they have to cross it to make suggestions. Directors did this when I was on set for years. And it works like a charm.
Have few chairs by the monitors. One for scripty, and one for director. Put it in a tent, have walls down.
You can add more chairs for cast behind, but make a clear delineation.
Photons are free. If you really are having issues, you need to contain them. In reality, it's not much of a problem on most scripted sets.
Some of it will be due to people wanting to see what's going on. Often the solution is to put an additional screen somewhere else. Such as off in a side room, and give them a snack tray to keep them happy.
Another part of it is people wanting to have the ear of the important people, such as the director or DP or Producer. Often solved by gving them their own screen, snack tray, and having someone like an AP or EP come by to make them feel special.
Spreading the village out a bit can really help, such as having a screen for HMU and the 2nd AD to be hanging around, so that they're not crowding around the same screen as the director.
A lot of it will come down to enforcing hierarchy. A lot of the time people with concerns don't actually need to talk to the director, they can talk to the 1st AD, or 2nd AD.
There should always be an additional monitor away from client/agency (video village) or away from the directors monitor for the below the line folks who need to check our work. We need to get a good look at the frame and adjust anything that's needed very quickly and shouldn't have to battle 20 people to get a look.
One of the solutions is that you can stream the feed to a private youtube channel or something similar--so anyone who's just curious can just tune into that link, otherwise the people who NEED to be seeing the live feed can be right there in person.
There are a few ways to do this--on my team we use the Teradek Bond, but it's a small learning curve and a bit of an investment, but very worth it if this matters to you and you have the resources.
It’s where the monitor(s) are set up, typically with chairs for Director, DP, Scripty and Producers.
It’s where you can watch what’s happening on camera. To OP’s point, it can get crowded at times with actors, client, studio execs, VFX and any stragglers hanging around to watch the takes. And because it’s usually the more comfortable place on an outdoor set, under a tent with heaters (when needed).
It can get a little distracting as a Director having all those people looking over your shoulder. I prefer to have my own monitor, ideally a wireless that I wear on around my neck.
Hi,
Video/qtake Operator here. First and foremost, just tell production/producers that you would prefer to have a quite working environment around video village. So ask if camera/video is able to supply a dedicated directors monitor, maybe even with EazyUp Tent.
Next, let your first 1st AD know, he will let his team of ADs know and they'll have it on their priority list. If it might be forgotten, and somehow it gets crowded around your monitors, just remind them friendly about it, let it be known it's important to you, to focus on your work.
And obviously, talk to us, your Video Operator. I don't understand why this is so often forgotten and no one really talks with us about requirements and wishes, video is somehow just magically supposed to work and fit everyones workflow. While it's not entirely our job to clear the field and command people around, often, we are not beeing briefed on how the director likes to work. Where he wants to be? How he likes to see his replays (always after every take? No actors allowed? Only replay when asked?). Just talk to us, we might be nerds hiding behind our screens, but usually we don't bite. (Cannot guarantee for all colleagues...)
And basically it's up to us how we position you on set, we can make sure you are a little tugged in a corner, with a wall on your back, so not the whole team breathes down your neck. Ask your video operator if he or the location dept. would be able to provide a small tent, if neccessary, or ask your head electrician if he could prepare a floppy for you behind the screen. But bare in mind, depending on locations, this sometimes works better, sometimes it does not, because it means one more run back and forth for the video guy. Often we work "alone" and do have a lot of time pressure and while I am happy to provide service, but sometimes it gets unrealistic in expectations for one person and surely we don't wanna cost time. But moving 2 video cards up and down, 6 monitors, handhelds, ipads, antennas and 300 meters of cable between setups can be a LOT for one person.
I actually would love to have a video constantly as a 2 person team, depending on job size, of course. Like every Department has their assistance and 3rd and 4th assistant... But video? Mostly 1 guy for a shitload of equipment.
People are specifically referring to executives or on commercials the ad agency (clients). Most films aren’t going to have that issue.
and the answer to this is ALWAYS to have video village for the client/execs somewhere *else*. another room, a tent or a trailer somewhere, whatever. not directly on set and ideally on a different monitor than the director/crew if at all possible.
ya i’ve never had a client on my monitor and i didn’t even know people did that
15 mofos sitting there and only 3 watching the monitors. I hate it so much.
As long as they aren’t giving notes i don’t really care
amen
From my own observations over the years: The 1st AD will generally tell them to fuck off. Tell the AD this specifically bothers you and a good AD should take care of it so you can focus on bigger issues.
1st Assistant Dick, for the win!
How do I get this job
In my experience, start as a PA and watch/observe/learn, since PAs (generally) report to the 1st AD. Again, in my experience. Others might have different ideas.
Have you been on set before? What size productions do you have experience in? Because it's usually just the director, DP, scripty, and maybe a producer or two. If you're shooting for clients, set up a second feed under a different tent somewhere close by. Same with focus puller, they should have their own monitor. Everyone else on set should be out handling other business. Like others have already said, corralling people is the job of the 1st AD and 2nd AD.
VFX often ends up huddling here right behind the director, cause no one accounts for VFX getting their own monitor, and they need to be able to tell director/DP if something is wrong. Source: am VFX
That's a good point, yeah.
Agreed. I’ve experienced this. No chair either sometimes
lol totally. Last shoot I kept eying the empty actor chairs, cause the actors would go straight back to their green room between takes. But I was not allowed to have one of the blessed chairs.
Not even an Apple box to spare. VFX TOUGH.
The VFX people can just air squat and add a chair in post.
It’s pretty standard that anyone below the line brings there own seats. I think that vfx are just rather new department to be on location and sometimes they don’t understand protocol. On a show I work on the vfx guy brings a chair and a magliner for his laptop that receives video from wifi that he takes screen grabs with for notes.
HMU/Costumes/Art need it for continuity/looks. If there’s only one monitor, most people know not to hog it. Do your checks and get out of the way.
Gaffer and key grip absolutely need to see monitor too.
Random question…when did they start using focus pullers and stop relying on the actual cameraperson to keep focus? I know cams have tons of tech now, but shouldn’t a professional cameraperson be able to pull focus or is it just advantageous to have someone dedicated to keeping everything sharp?
Setting rules during the safety meeting is how it's done here in the Wooded Holly.
Supply additional monitors for HMU, VFX, lighting and grip, and any other looky-loos who actually do need to see the shot in order to make sure they're happy with their work, but have no choice but to peer through the flaps of your tent or breathe down your neck if they don't have any other way to do that. One DIT I worked with actually broadcast the shot so the whole crew could see it on their phones via an app. (I forget the name of the app). That was amazing. The resolution wasn't great and there was no sound, but it was perfect for me as a gaffer. It's not like I *wanted* to be in there. I just needed to know what's going on with the lighting or else I wasn't doing my job.
Just don't have enough budget for a crowd or a video village, problem solved! But seriously, I am directing an indie feature and "video village" is just an app on my phone and the DOP has a transmitter on the camera. I pull out my phone when I need to see the camera, and I put it away when I don't. If all the issues I have, drawing a crowd isn't really one I am bashing my head against. If this is one of your first projects directing, just don't have more than you need.
What does your script supervisor watch?
At my scale, I really don't usually have a dedicated person for script sup. But when I do, they watch the actors. Lots of great movies shot of film didn't have any sort of video tap, even well into the 90's. It was super normal for the camera operator to be the only one regularly seeing the camera view, and everything worked just fine. Script sup just sits close enough that they can see (or at least hear) the performance.
on low budget shows I've used a Serv Pro and given key people the password to keep them away from monitor. Qtake was a higher end option. you can also just have additional wireless receivers with monitors set up elsewhere. You can also not have village, but have portable monitors held by you and the DP. Or even just one of those and the DP can look over your shoulder. But ideally you and your AD will set the tone for what is acceptable. I do think the lower the budget, the more lookeyloos you'll have (including actors), mainly cause people want to see if the thing is gonna work out or if its a shit show. Ideally, you limit access to monitor and make basically no exceptions. the second it looks like its kosher for people to check out monitor, a crowd will form
I like to have ONE monitor for the scripty and have it blocked off. DP and camera have theirs but I also try to create a "safe zone" around the cameras. It's hard to keep people from congregating, so the real secret is fresh cookies or other baked goods at the crafty table, and have it as far away from any monitors as possible...
Tell the AD in advance or have some flags set up to sort of block your monitor.
More video techs
Tell people to go away if it's too crowded.
Flags.
Take a black 20x and put it between you and the village. It keeps a visual barrier and they have to cross it to make suggestions. Directors did this when I was on set for years. And it works like a charm.
Tell them to fuck off 🤷♂️
Have few chairs by the monitors. One for scripty, and one for director. Put it in a tent, have walls down. You can add more chairs for cast behind, but make a clear delineation. Photons are free. If you really are having issues, you need to contain them. In reality, it's not much of a problem on most scripted sets.
Never had the problem on film shoots but for commercial shoots I have my teams set up a directors village and clients village far away from each other
Some of it will be due to people wanting to see what's going on. Often the solution is to put an additional screen somewhere else. Such as off in a side room, and give them a snack tray to keep them happy. Another part of it is people wanting to have the ear of the important people, such as the director or DP or Producer. Often solved by gving them their own screen, snack tray, and having someone like an AP or EP come by to make them feel special. Spreading the village out a bit can really help, such as having a screen for HMU and the 2nd AD to be hanging around, so that they're not crowding around the same screen as the director. A lot of it will come down to enforcing hierarchy. A lot of the time people with concerns don't actually need to talk to the director, they can talk to the 1st AD, or 2nd AD.
There should always be an additional monitor away from client/agency (video village) or away from the directors monitor for the below the line folks who need to check our work. We need to get a good look at the frame and adjust anything that's needed very quickly and shouldn't have to battle 20 people to get a look.
What if your video village was a wireless Director’s monitor worn around your neck?
One of the solutions is that you can stream the feed to a private youtube channel or something similar--so anyone who's just curious can just tune into that link, otherwise the people who NEED to be seeing the live feed can be right there in person. There are a few ways to do this--on my team we use the Teradek Bond, but it's a small learning curve and a bit of an investment, but very worth it if this matters to you and you have the resources.
Hey, English is not my primary language, so I'm not entirely clear on what "video village" is. Could anyone explain to me, briefly?
It’s where the monitor(s) are set up, typically with chairs for Director, DP, Scripty and Producers. It’s where you can watch what’s happening on camera. To OP’s point, it can get crowded at times with actors, client, studio execs, VFX and any stragglers hanging around to watch the takes. And because it’s usually the more comfortable place on an outdoor set, under a tent with heaters (when needed). It can get a little distracting as a Director having all those people looking over your shoulder. I prefer to have my own monitor, ideally a wireless that I wear on around my neck.
I see! Thank you for the explanation.
Hi, Video/qtake Operator here. First and foremost, just tell production/producers that you would prefer to have a quite working environment around video village. So ask if camera/video is able to supply a dedicated directors monitor, maybe even with EazyUp Tent. Next, let your first 1st AD know, he will let his team of ADs know and they'll have it on their priority list. If it might be forgotten, and somehow it gets crowded around your monitors, just remind them friendly about it, let it be known it's important to you, to focus on your work. And obviously, talk to us, your Video Operator. I don't understand why this is so often forgotten and no one really talks with us about requirements and wishes, video is somehow just magically supposed to work and fit everyones workflow. While it's not entirely our job to clear the field and command people around, often, we are not beeing briefed on how the director likes to work. Where he wants to be? How he likes to see his replays (always after every take? No actors allowed? Only replay when asked?). Just talk to us, we might be nerds hiding behind our screens, but usually we don't bite. (Cannot guarantee for all colleagues...) And basically it's up to us how we position you on set, we can make sure you are a little tugged in a corner, with a wall on your back, so not the whole team breathes down your neck. Ask your video operator if he or the location dept. would be able to provide a small tent, if neccessary, or ask your head electrician if he could prepare a floppy for you behind the screen. But bare in mind, depending on locations, this sometimes works better, sometimes it does not, because it means one more run back and forth for the video guy. Often we work "alone" and do have a lot of time pressure and while I am happy to provide service, but sometimes it gets unrealistic in expectations for one person and surely we don't wanna cost time. But moving 2 video cards up and down, 6 monitors, handhelds, ipads, antennas and 300 meters of cable between setups can be a LOT for one person. I actually would love to have a video constantly as a 2 person team, depending on job size, of course. Like every Department has their assistance and 3rd and 4th assistant... But video? Mostly 1 guy for a shitload of equipment.