Filming in a real world

Post by Jason Goldstein. Jan. 5 2010.

When big studios make a movie, they take the easy way out. They can close streets, construct elaborate sets, or, if you've seen Avatar, spend a boatload of money making CGI grass and trees.

One of the coolest behind-the-scenes pieces I've ever watched is a making-of Boston Legal. David E. Kelley had his main set - an office - constructed in a warehouse. He had retractable walls, and lighting set up outside the "windows" to create the illusion of different times of day.

We don't have that luxury.

We film in a real world, on real locations, with real sunlight, and a long list of real problems.

So we film in our homes, and that means working around everyone else who lives there. It means when our equipment doesn't really fit in the kitchen, we can't just move a wall.

We film outside, and that means we're at the mercy of the weather, especially in the winter. The only thing less fun than shooting a scene in 30 degree weather is having to shuffle the schedule when the snow on the ground is screwing up your continuity.

Want to film in a car? Big studios can use CGI or tow the car around while they film. We have to find a low-traffic area to drive around in as the actors do their lines, and we can't mount a camera above the mirror.

But the most difficult challenge is finding nonresidential places where we're allowed to film. We live in an area that's very hostile to cameras. There are a lot of chain stores and restaurants with corporate owners who are afraid you'll make them look bad.

My favorite rejections of all time:

"We're a family establishment, we don't allow that sort of thing." - Kaldi's in the valley

"No... This is West County... No..." - West County Mall

So we have to find places are more relaxed and locally owned. Vintage Vinyl in the loop had no problem with us filming as long as we stayed clear of their customers. Last night we went to a coffee shop called Foam, which said they'd "be honored" to have us film there. We rented a hotel room so we could shoot in there for a night. And so on.

Of course, streets, parks, public places, and store exteriors are always fair game, assuming you can take the cold.