Running Rehearsals With The ADs and Second Team
When running rehearsals with 2nd team, do you rely on the AD or is it best to just take charge? Any suggestions for working with second team?
It depends on several things – how big the shot is, what is involved, and what part of it I need to see (it isn’t always the entire thing). If the shot is long and there are a lot of things happening, I will involve the 1st AD. Me going rogue on a big shot with a crane, dolly, or handheld without other people’s knowledge could lead to someone getting hurt. In that case, it is better to get the ADs involved to help make everyone on set aware that things are going to be in motion and to get out of the way.
Sometimes the shot is small, and/or there is only a small portion I need to see for reflection/shadow/lighting issues – in that case, I’ll try and do a small, under the radar rehearsal. People on set can continue to work, and I get to see what I need to see. Sometimes, part of the shot is technically tricky, and it is good to rehearse that portion several times to build muscle memory. This could be anything – a whip pan that needs to land on an exact frame, nailing the exact speed of the dolly and zoom control on a dolly-zoom, or figuring out the steps to safely track while handheld or on steadicam on stairs would be possible examples. If the complicated part of the shot is short, or confined to a small area, I will just ask second team and whoever else needs to be involved (dolly grip, 1st AC, boom op, etc.) to help me work it out for a few minutes without involving the ADs.
**Pro tip – if what you are doing is at the edge of your ability and you are worried about what video village thinks about your work until you have sorted it out from multiple tries, have your AC unplug the transmitter, and tell the DIT you are making an adjustment so they don’t freak out when they can’t see an image, then practice the move until you feel confident.**
Second team can make or break you. If they are experienced and pay attention to what is happening, your job will be 100% easier. Regardless, they are a vital part of your team, and you need to do whatever you can early in the game to get them on your side, and let them know that you have their back.
I always do what I can to make sure they are as comfortable as possible when they are working – what I mean by that is if they are standing on their tip-toes to be as tall as the actor, I’ll request a ¼ apple. If they are squatting and holding that position to maintain a specific height, I will ask the grip department to get apple boxes so they can be as low as they need to be while being comfortable. If there isn’t a practical way around them being in an uncomfortable position, I’ll make sure they can rest often. The same is true if they are on the ground – they should have kneeling pads, furniture pads, or whatever else might make their job easier. I feel it is part of my job to notice things like that and protect them – they are usually too proud or nervous to ask for help, and me helping them does three things 1) it makes them more comfortable 2) it makes it so they can remain in the same position longer without fidgeting 3) it makes them know that you are looking out for them, and they will do the same for you down the road.
Another thing is to not have them standing there when there is no reason. Sometimes they are there and the DP is done lighting, I have my shot worked out, and the AD has forgotten about them. I always try and be proactive about getting them off set as soon as their work there is done and everyone is happy and ready to rehearse with 1st team. There is no reason for them to hold a rigid position if we are just waiting on 1st team to arrive on set. Anything you can do to help them will be returned to you 10-fold.
I prefer to involve the ADs just to cement my relationship with them little by little, and so we 'have the set' as it were. They also can get the director watching when necessary and problems can get ironed out before shooting the scene. Sometimes we do it just because we're sitting around waiting for an actor or something and it 'looks like the crew's working!’
At the beginning of a shoot it's always good to introduce yourself to the 2nd team and talk with them about what you hope they can do for you. Treat them with respect and they will hopefully pay good attention to rehearsals throughout the shoot and do their best to repeat the actors' moves while rehearsing for camera.
Let them know it's important they pay attention to where the actors go and which direction they face. Timing is important as well, but that is so integrated to the camera move that I tend to work that out with the 2nd team in a few unofficial camera rehearsals.
I like to run these rehearsals with the 2nd team myself. The ADs usually see me doing this and ask if they can start adding background once they see we've got the basics down. At that point I tend to let the ADs take over. If there isn't any background I may run all the rehearsals up until the cast comes out.
Once you have the move down, don't forget about the stand-ins. If the DP has finished lighting and everyone is waiting for the actors to come to set, let the ADs know that 2nd team can relax. The stand-ins will appreciate this. You want them on your side because a good second team really makes the job easier for the operator, dolly grip, focus puller, and lighting team.
Run your own rehearsals first with just 2nd team. As soon as you involve the AD’s, they will slow things down by working on the background etc. Get your shot the way you want, then add the AD’s and background. The only reason I would do an AD rehearsal first is if the set is out of control with people/noise and needs to be cleared.
2nd Team are some of my favorite people on set. A good relationship goes a long way. You will let them know what you need; speed and timing of moves, matching actors motions, hair color, color cover, reading lines, being quiet, being prompt back to set between set ups, don’t look down when being marked, etc.
Most 2nd team are great and we find a groove. They pay attention to our needs and I don’t leave them standing on set when we are done. In fact, I send them away so that everyone including those watching from another state know that we’ve done our part and they’re not waiting on us.
What if they don’t get it? If you let 2nd team know what you need and they don’t do it, have a chat with them. If they continue to disappoint, like in-ability to stand still quietly, pay attention, and God forbid pull out their phone, tell the 2nd AD. They will get their 2nd warning. Next offense, they’re gone.
