How Fast Is a DP Really Expected to Be? Scheduling a Realistic Shooting Day

Hi everyone,

I often hear people described simply as being “fast” or “slow,” and sometimes I feel that doesn’t account for what a particular shot actually involves. I increasingly see schedules where production wants to cover a very large number of shots in a single shift (12 hrs), sometimes working towards an expectation of roughly 5–7 pages/minutes or even more. Of course, the actual time varies enormously depending on the shots and the way scene is being planned and executed.

Sometimes it is doable, but what I find surprising sometimes is that even when certain challenges are flagged during scheduling whether they are lighting changes, complex blocking, camera movement, multiple setups /company moves, or simply the amount of coverage ( all the other small things that accumulate during a shooting day),the conversation can sometimes become less about “Can we realistically achieve this within the available time?” and more about “We have to achieve it regardless.”

I’d especially love to hear how Roger, David, and the other experienced members approach this. I’m trying to develop a realistic internal sense of how much work can actually fit into a shooting day.

Thanks!