On Location: Action

On the set of Bill, a comedy movie that will come out in about a year, light equipment, cameras, and crowds were the norm. Curious bystanders stood for hours hoping for a glimpse of their favorite stars. when Jesica Alba emerged, the teenagers screamed and ran toward her in hopes of getting an autograph.

The people working on this set were there for 12 hours or more. I don't know how any industry can make people work hours like that on a regular basis.

Photography was permitted by bystanders, but flash was not, for obvious reasons. A long lens is a good choice for a movie set, since you will frequently be working from a distance. Once night fell the challenge was what ISO to use. When the stars stepped from the artificial light, a high ISO like 1600 or even 3200 was merited. But under the stage lights, it's like daylight. I enjoyed photographing the stage hands and their equipment more than the stars themselves. Stage hands are more accessible, and provide some interesting lighting opportunities that you can't get anywhere else.

Having done 3 shoots in a week, these posts have to be brief.

geopic