A film by Ian Harris
STANDBY
Cinematography Notes 3/20/25
Niagara Falls Airport
Cinematographers notes on filming at this selected location.
Scenes need to be filmed with consistent lighting throughout the entire filming schedule.
The waiting area has massive northwest-facing windows that act as a primary light source, which means that every shift in sunlight, clouds, or time of day will change the entire look of the scene. Because of the unpredictable weather in May and June, we can expect dramatic lighting swings throughout the day, sometimes within minutes.
Morning (7 AM - 11 AM): The space is dimly lit with no direct sun. If it’s cloudy, it will look flat and cool. If the sky clears, we’ll suddenly have a huge jump in brightness that could alter the tone of the scene.
Midday (11 AM - 3 PM): Brightest time of day, but constantly shifting. Clouds passing in and out will cause major exposure shifts, making it difficult to match takes.
Afternoon (3 PM - 7 PM): Direct, harsh sunlight floods the room. Deep shadows will rapidly move across the actors and background. If clouds roll in suddenly, the whole space crashes into a dull, flat look, making it impossible to maintain continuity.
Impact on Actor Performance & Efficiency
We all want the actors to stay in the moment, and I’m concerned that frequent stops to adjust for shifting light will disrupt their rhythm. Every time the light changes, we will need to rebalance exposure and contrast, causing delays and forcing actors to pause mid-performance while we adjust.
Technical Considerations – Matching the Scene’s Lighting
Since the airport already has a fixed lighting environment, our job is to match the actors to the existing light levels—a tricky balance between the interior brightness, exterior views, and the fluctuating natural light. The higher-positioned windows are inaccessible for control, meaning we can’t block or diffuse the light easily.
To maintain a consistent look, we’ll need a significant lighting package to supplement and counteract these variations. However, without scouting and breaking down the script into shoot days, we can’t accurately budget the necessary grip and lighting gear yet.
The Solution – Finding the Right Space
I strongly recommend scouting the airport for interior locations with fewer large windows, where we can control the lighting more effectively. This will help us:
Keep the actors in the moment, avoiding unnecessary resets.
Prevent delays caused by shifting light conditions.
Avoid the risk of continuity nightmares in post-production.
FARM FILMING SCHEDULE & CAMERA COVERAGE BREAKDOWN
Possible Super 8mm look discussed.
Breakdown based on MINIMAL lighting and grip, working aggressively quick and filming very efficiently.
Note: “Filming time” is not the time to film, it is the time to record up to 4 takes of each scripted action or dialog.
Additional time should be alotted for blocking, rehearsal, Director discussions etc.
EXT. OLSEN FARM - 40 YEARS EARLIER - FLASHBACK
Scene Description:
Young Matthew delivers a calf under his father Stan’s supervision.
Camera Coverage:
Wide shot: Establishing farm, Stan and Matthew working
Medium shot: Matthew’s effort to deliver the calf
Close-ups:
Matthew’s intense focus
Stan’s instructive expressions
The calf being delivered
Estimated Running Time: 1 minute
Filming Time: 16 min (1 min x 4 takes x 4 setups)
Lighting Time: 1 hour
EXT. FARM DAY TIME - FLASHBACK
Scene Description:
Young Matthew shoveling manure, looks up at a plane.
Camera Coverage:
Wide shot: Matthew working on the farm
Medium shot: Matthew stopping, looking up
Close-up: Matthew’s face, plane in the sky
Estimated Running Time: 30 sec
Filming Time: 8 min (30 sec x 4 takes x 4 setups)
Lighting Time: 1 hour
Company Move: 1 hour
INT. FARMHOUSE - FLASHBACK
Scene Description:
Stan and Stella interact, young Matthew watches.
Camera Coverage:
Wide shot: Family in the living room
Medium shot: Stan’s reaction to Stella
Close-ups:
Stan’s face as he rubs Stella’s hand
Young Matthew watching
Estimated Running Time: 1 min 30 sec
Filming Time: 24 min
Lighting Time: 1 hour
INT. FARMHOUSE - FLASHBACK - VARIOUS MOMENTS
Scene Description:
Montage of family moments.
Camera Coverage:
Wide shots: Family together at dinner, TV moments
Close-ups: Faces of Stan, Stella, and Matthew
Estimated Running Time: 45 sec
Filming Time: 12 min
Lighting Time: 1 hour
EXT. FARM DAY TIME
Scene Description:
Matthew and Stan working, plane overhead.
Camera Coverage:
Wide shot: Father and son working
Medium shot: Matthew’s curiosity
Close-ups: Stan’s distant look, Matthew’s admiration
Estimated Running Time: 45 sec
Filming Time: 12 min
Lighting Time: 1 hour
Company Move: 1 hour
INT. FARMHOUSE - STAN & STELLA ARGUE
Scene Description:
Stan and Stella argue about Matthew’s future. Young adult Matthew stops his father from hitting her.
Camera Coverage:
Wide shot: Matthew’s POV through door crack
Medium shots: Argument exchange
Close-ups:
Stan’s anger
Stella’s defiance
Matthew stopping his father
Estimated Running Time: 2 min 30 sec
Filming Time: 40 min
Lighting Time: 1 hour
EXT. FARM DAY TIME - CHOKING INCIDENT
Scene Description:
Stan chokes while eating, Matthew and Stella attempt to save him.
Camera Coverage:
Wide shot: Father and son working
Close-ups: Stan’s distress, Matthew’s panic, Stella’s fear
Estimated Running Time: 2 min
Filming Time: 32 min
Lighting Time: 1 hour
Company Move: 1 hour
INT. FARMHOUSE - YEARS LATER
Scene Description:
Stella gives Matthew a plane ticket.
Camera Coverage:
Wide shot: Mother and son at table
Close-ups:
Stella handing book
Matthew’s reaction
Estimated Running Time: 1 min 30 sec
Filming Time: 24 min
Lighting Time: 1 hour
EXT. FARM - MODERN DAY
Scene Description:
Young boy on farm, sees a plane, raises fists.
Camera Coverage:
Wide shot: Farm and sky
Close-ups: Boy’s excitement, plane overhead
Estimated Running Time: 30 sec
Filming Time: 8 min
Lighting Time: 1 hour
Company Move: 1 hour
TOTAL ESTIMATED FILMING TIME:
Total Dialogue Running Time: ~12 minutes
Total Filming Time (4 Takes Per Line): ~192 minutes (3 hours 12 min)
Total Lighting Time (9 Scenes): 9 hours
Total Company Move Time: 5 hours
Final Estimated Shooting Time: 17 hours (~2 full shooting days)
Cinematographers Fees
The following is an estimate until final day count for prep and filming are locked.
Estimate based on 12 day filming schedule. 6-7 pages per day. Farm filming days may not be properly calculated.
No pre light / pre rigging days are calculated.
Prep Work & Pre-Production:
Travel Day to NY – $600
Scout NY (2 Airports, Farms) – $600
Travel Return Day from NY – $600
Script Breakdown & Shooting Schedule for AD – $600
Selected Locations Walkthrough with Director (Camera Coverage & Angles) – $600
Tech Scout Locations with Gaffer & Grip – $600
Total Prep Days: 6
Prep Subtotal: $3,600
Shooting Days:
Filming Days (12 total, including 1 farm day) – $800 x 12 = $9,600
Total Shoot Days: 12
Shoot Subtotal: $9,600
Final Estimated Pay:
Prep Total: $3,600
Shoot Total: $9,600
Post Total: $0
Grand Total: $13,200
Post-Production:
Color Grade Session – No charge
Crew & Gear Estimates
Pre-Production
Tech Scout: Airport & Farm (Gaffer & Key Grip)
Camera Prep: ACs to prep cameras
Filming Days
Airport (2-Camera Shoot)
Schedule (12-Hour Day):
2 hours: Morning block & lighting setup (TBD)
8 hours: Filming
2 hours: Wrap or pre-rig lighting for the next day
Crew:
2 Camera ACs (A & B Camera) + 1 Second AC
Gaffer + 1
Grip + 1 (if window blackouts are not needed)
TBD: DIT or media management
Farm (1-Camera Shoot)
Crew:
1 Camera AC
Gaffer + 1
Grip + 1
Drone Operator
SDF LA/OC
Pre-Light (1 Day) / Shoot (1 Day)
Gear Costs:
Lighting: $3K
Camera: 2 Cameras, $3K
Crew:
1 AC (Prep)
Gaffer + Best Boy
Grip + Best Boy
Shoot Day
Crew:
2 Camera ACs + 2nd AC
Gaffer + Best Boy
Grip + Best Boy
Camera Equipment Breakdown
"A" Camera Package
Camera Body: Alexa Mini LF
Lenses: Zeiss Supreme Primes (shared with "B" camera)
Storage: (3) ARRI Codex Compact Drive 960GB with Reader
Support: Sachtler 25P with Tripod
Monitoring:
7" Onboard Monitor
Teradek Wireless Monitor Transmitter
Accessories:
Matte Box
Chrosziel Follow Focus
Power: 6 Digital 150 Anton Bauer Batteries
Dolly: (2) JL Fisher 10 Dollies (complete)
"B" Camera Package
Camera Body: Alexa Mini LF
Storage: (3) ARRI Codex Compact Drive 960GB with Reader
Support: Sachtler 25P with Tripod
Monitoring:
7" Onboard Monitor
Teradek Wireless Monitor Transmitter
Accessories:
Matte Box
Chrosziel Follow Focus
Power: 6 Digital 150 Anton Bauer Batteries
Monitoring Equipment
Monitors: (3) 17” TV Logic
Rental Cost Estimates (10-Day Rental)
Camera Package
"A" Camera for a week: $5,000
"B" Camera Accessories for a week: $4,000
Lenses for a week: $5,000
Monitors for a week: $3,000
10-Day Rental Estimate (Camera, Lenses, Monitors): $26,000 – $50,000
Based on aggressive discounts (up to 50%) and B camera potentially covered by insurance vendor
Camera Support & Dolly
(2) JL Fisher 10 Dollies (Complete): $6,000
Lighting & Grip Package
Lighting & Grip Truck (10-Day Rental Package): $20,000 – $30,000