Practice Shoot Reflection

Today, I uploaded the footage from my practice shoot for my short film, and even though it wasn’t perfect, it ended up being one of the most valuable steps in my pre-production process so far.

When I planned this practice session, my goal wasn’t to create a polished scene, it was to experiment with framing, lighting, and the emotional tone between Anaya and Arvin. Seeing the actual footage helped me understand what works visually and what needs to change before the real shoot.


What Went Well

1. Testing the Aesthetic

Even though the shots weren’t flawless, the colour mood I’m aiming for, cool blues mixed with soft warm highlights, did translate on camera. This reassures me that my visual direction is on the right track.

2. Understanding Character Blocking

I experimented with how the actors might interact physically, especially since one character is a hologram. This practice helped me realise how important spacing and eye lines will be during the real shoot.

3. Camera Angles & Composition

Some angles accidentally worked better than expected, especially close-ups where the emotional tension felt stronger. This gives me material to develop a proper shot list.


What Didn’t Work (but Helped Me Learn)

1. Lighting Issues

The lighting wasn’t consistent between shots. Instead of looking like stylistic contrast, it felt unplanned. This taught me that I need:

  • A stronger key light
  • A clearer lighting diagram
  • More controlled shadows

2. Movement Felt Unnatural

Some movements looked stiff or unmotivated. It made me realise that the actors will need more rehearsal time to look natural, especially during the emotional scenes.

3. Hologram Concept Needs Refinement

The shots that were supposed to represent the hologram illusion didn’t fully sell the idea. I’ll need to plan:

  • Glow effects
  • Better positioning
  • Maybe a practical light source during filming

This was one of the biggest lessons from the shoot.


What I Learned Overall

The practice shoot showed me exactly why filmmakers always test ideas before the real filming day. Imperfection is part of the process. Instead of being discouraged, I now have:

  • A clearer vision
  • A list of technical improvements
  • More confidence going forward

Sometimes the shoots that don’t go perfectly are the ones that push you the most creatively.