What I learned from making Dear Stranger (Pt 3)

• Spend some time rehearsing the blocking ON LOCATION. That will make it easier for you to describe to the actors what has to take place. Do not make it too written in stone. The purpose of doing this is for you to feel the place, where the camera can best capture the scene and, most importantly, if it makes sense (logically & emotionally).
• The scene where Rosie spills water on her arms, it took several takes over many days to capture it right. Because I had not thought the scene out completely. In my head, the blocking worked but on set Nikki was frustrated. Because of the problems with the blocking, she doubted the scene and I am sure wished the scene was cut. And by luck, the pot happened to blow, it was captured on camera and we reblocked the scene around that. It worked! But it was luck, you lucky bastard.
• With actors, make them comfortable so they take chances. But be careful to 1) indicate you know what the hell is going on 2) this is your film and 3) keep enough of the nervous energy because that helps as well.
• Plan time for the actors to eat and be somewhat lazy. Because, otherwise they will make it on their own.
• With shorts, keep your ideas (especially visual ideas) streamlined. Shorts are a different animal, they want to do a lot in little amounts of time with little variations.
• Know that "suspension of disbelief" exists. All through the shoot and editing, you and others will doubt whether something is believable. It DOES! I mean you cannot do anything but as long the film makes its own logical sense, people believe it. They want the mental exercise. Alternate universe logic applies.
• Get married or get a girlfriend/boyfriend. Because you are going to need them.

- AAP
[Filmmaker]