What It Really Means When You "Shoot the Rehearsal"

Camera assistants, camera operators, and cinematographers understand the value of rehearsing a shot more than anyone on a film set.

For all of them, it’s a chance to work out the kinks of a complicated camera move. A chance to keep a shot in focus and an actor in frame. A chance to deliver a shot worth circling on take one.

Ed Colman, a talented cinematographer who loved to give advice on the Cinematography Mailing List, knew the value of rehearsals, but also spoke about the realities of their demise.

Of all the great wisdom he shared, one remark — said during a discussion on pulling focus — speaks directly about the push-pull for rehearsals and takes: “When you are told to ‘shoot the rehearsal’ it’s not a rehearsal any more.”

So when a rehearsal has transformed into a take, will you be ready?