Costume and Continuity
Costume
- Numerous costumes are a logistical nightmare, find yourself an assistant.
- If a character doesn't need complicated changes of clothes don’t have them?
- If you don't have transport, get your performers to bring their costume each day, But make sure they make a list of what they are meant to be wearing.
- Costume is always important, even if it is just a class in school uniforms, consider the artistic element in every choice you make.
Any time you talk about the look of the film, it's not just the director and the director of photography. You have to include the costume designer and the production designer
Continuity
It is great having one person dedicated to continuity, but everyone should be aware of it. Simplicity is often the key to getting it right.
Problems often arise when you have similar scenes with one plot-crucial difference; be extra vigilant if you are doing different scenes in the same location. eg. Where the breakfast table is set in bright daylight, then the table is unset and evening light fills the room. Make sure your shot list includes all the various differences (be aware generic shots may be unusable).
If performers are using their own clothes for costumes, get them to change and leave their costume at the filming base, then you can be certain you always have the right costume to hand. Otherwise you may find someone starts a scene in a red T-shirt and finishes it in a blue jumper...
If this is not possible, make each actor responsible for their own costumes and remind them to wear the same outfit each day.
When you are running short sessions and returning to film the same set again (particularly with animation) take care to ensure the lighting matches. Make a note of your camera settings, position of lights etc.