Night shoots. How do you prepare? Is a one or two day shoot different than a full show of nights? Tips and tricks?
To prepare for overnighters, I wake up early do some chores, have a hearty breakfast and go back to sleep for as long as I can. The less I eat later in the day, the more energy I have. When returning home, if possible get to sleep before the Sun comes up.
For a whole show of nights, just start drinking human blood.
Humans are not nocturnal creatures. But still we try to be. I love it when a producer, AD, director, and dp who are on the same page when it comes to working all night. They don’t want to do it. So they try to schedule splits. This is where you work 12 to 12ish,1 to 1, 2 to 2. Usually no later than 3am wrap. This is such a great way of keeping a crew rested. A little harder to schedule but worth it. And it gets you home in bed before the sun comes up. It was easier when I was younger and single. It became much harder when I married, had a family and got older.
Being on location helps. Black out curtains. Less real life to deal with. It’s also not safe. You will be tired and bad judgements are right in front of you. Be safe! And yes, it can happen to you.
I have to say a human cannot work all night without some major compromises to your body and mind. 3am to 6am is the worst for me. Major brain dead. Lots of coffee after 3am until wrap. I would also recommend staying awake as late as possible on the day before the first night. To this day I still dread all-nighters……..
A lot to unpack here. First off, we are not designed for this and it will take its toll. For a single night or starting on nights, get a good nights sleep the night before (I don’t buy into the stay up as late as possible thing because it’s not natural for your body). Sleep in late if you can and then get up and do something - work out, do a project, etc and then at some point, if you are lucky, you’ll need a nap. This in my opinion is key. Either way it’s going to be a struggle.
Next, break the day into parts. Get through to lunch. You’ll be tired but you’ll make it fine. Lunch some people take a nap some don’t. I find that napping just makes it worse so I eat light, and have a good cup of coffee. The next three hours will be the toughest because your body will be fighting you. Stay busy, mentally and physically and stay away from heavy foods and sweets, it’s a cycle that you will lose. Make it through the next three hours and you will often get your second wind which will take you home. Toughest thing to do is be on b cam where you aren’t needed but need to stay alert. Horrible. Bring a book, occupy your mind, do something or you will go down.
Driving home is the toughest. You’ll get in the car and be alert and ten minutes later it;s dangerous. Pull over if you need to. Ask for a room or a ride. Be careful and know that your aren’t as safe as you think you are.
Full shows of nights aren’t much different but you will get into a rhythm. Black out curtains are key. But don’t ever expect to normalize it. It isn’t. And it will take its toll. Overall, eat healthy, excercise, all the stuff that makes sense, it will all help you. But it’s going to be a slog. Also, stay away from shows with Vampires or Night in the title. Makes for a bad time.
