On The Other Side of the Camera

Through the lens, the sun always shines, and a very unreal perfection lives. But as close to the edge of frame as possible, the mechanics of production litter the landscape. C-stands guard like sentinels, 12 bys block and direct the light, the weather wreaks havoc – best observed by the clothing worn by everyone working on set.

Spring of 2013, we were shooting two spots; Father’s Day and Back to School for Belk. Both spots had scenes that were exteriors - a golf course, and an elementary schoolyard, that would be shot on the same day. Unconventionally cold that year, the golf courses were pretty brown – the sun not warming the ground enough for the grass to ‘green up’ – but that’s a different problem. What we had to deal with while shooting were the extremes of something we can never control: weather. Beginning the day at 7, we had morning temperatures in the low 40’s – which meant our little family, in their shorts and summer tops, were literally shaking with chills as they took their swing at the ball. And then, in the afternoon, we got to the school (probably 30 schools looked at and we ended up with Oglethorpe University as the perfect backdrop) – as the weather warmed, but the skies turned gray and it started to rain.

I love the hustle and resourcefulness of an experienced crew. All the rain gear comes out within moments; the camera is covered, a frame is built to guard the scene from the rain, pop-ups spring up to form a tent city; one for video village, one for DIT, one for props and crafty. Lights are raised to bring out the sunshine. Umbrellas are held over talents’ heads as last minute touch-ups are done, while the AD and DP and Director confer on how to keep things moving forward. (“Do you see the rain through the lens?”)

And we continue; the girls giggle, the boy grabs her hand, and the plastic frog appears. Check the gate and call it a wrap.