I was only supposed to go to set to set up SDI cables, a wireless communication system and multiviewer, so students in a senior level JCM film course, could  communicate, monitor and shoot a portion of their film with multiple cameras in a studio on campus.

 

Unfortunately, various technical issues arose, and I helped troubleshoot and resolve wireless microphone and video signal issues, lighting and prop issues.

 

I was the only one with experience lighting in a grid, and the studio we were in did not have any lighting console, so we had to flip on breakers and adjust the Arri lights in the grid manually.  After the first take, I pointed out exposure and lighting issues the director of photography, and then they asked me to adjust the lighting. Because there was no board, and the lights were not set up for the blocking of the film, I quickly went up and down a ladder and adjusted a few lights in the
15 minutes of time they provided me.

 

Their production designer was going to use a modified plastic folding table with fabric around it, for the cooking show set. I let them know studio lights would cut through their thin fabric, and then they asked me to be the prop master for that scene because their production designer would be unable to be there until after they started shooting. I purchased props and brought a few items from home as well, and dressed the set, while resolving technical and lighting issues other crew members were encountering.