Does the thought of pickup shots scare you? Don’t worry, pickup shots are completely normal, and almost every film has them. There are many reasons to use them, from solving continuity errors to adding plot details and improving the film’s pacing.
In fact, all film shoots benefit from pickup shots. Before filming, the producer prepares a re-shoot budget, and actors agree to several pickup days in their contracts. Below, we break down the definition of pickup shots and give examples of when to use them.
What are Pickup Shots in Film?
Pickup shots (also called pickups or reshoots) is a film set term to describe additional shots recorded after the main film shoot. These pickups can range from a single shot to a re-shoot lasting multiple weeks. Let’s look at the reasons why you might need a pickup in film.
Why Do You Need Pickup Shots?
Even the most organized film sets will likely need some pickup shots. As mentioned, these can range from a couple of individual shots to the recording of a new scene. The reasons for needing pickup shots vary from project to project, but there are some common factors.
First, you have continuity errors when the shots don’t match up in the edit. Then, there are technical errors, such as corrupt cards or lost footage. You can also have reshoots to add more information to the story, for example, adding a flashback to emphasize the plot.
If you’re a producer, you can minimize pickups by creating a camera shot list and storyboards before shooting. Even so, pickups are common, so you should expect to have at least one reshoot day. Now, let’s break down the reasons for pickups in more detail.
Main Reasons For Pickup Shots
It’s likely that you will need pickups in film due to one or more of the reasons below. However, every film shoot faces unique challenges, and so you can’t predict what problems you will face. If you are a producer, it’s always wise to budget for potential reshoots.
1. Continuity Errors
The major reason for needing picks up in film is continuity errors. On a film set, the script supervisor will monitor the continuity of every scene. The continuity relates to how well each shot cuts together and the fluidity of each shot from scene to scene.
Even with someone watching over the film’s continuity, mistakes happen. For example, an actor is wearing a different colored T-shirt in two shots. If the error is too distracting, you will need to reshoot the shot or, in some cases, the entire scene.
However, your audience will dismiss minor continuity errors. So, an error like this is not always worth a reshoot. You will have to decide how distracting the error is and if it justifies the cost of getting everyone together to shoot the scene again.
2. Technical Errors
Next, we have technical errors, which include everything from a corrupt hard drive to losing footage. On some film sets, a Digital Image Technician (DIT) checks the footage before sending it to the editor. By having one on set, you can try to avoid technical errors.
Still, technical errors can happen and ruin entire scenes or a whole day’s work. Even with preparation and care, some pickups in film are unavoidable. Therefore as a producer, you should try to save money to reshoot at least one scene.
3. Unusable Footage
In addition, sometimes the footage has other errors, such as being out of focus. Ideally, you will solve these issues during filming, but sometimes they make it to the editing room. Other mistakes are shaky dollies, poor audio, overexposure, and unstable shots.
It’s also possible to miss a crucial shot when filming a scene. You might capture all of the action but miss a reaction shot from an actor or a point of view. To avoid missing shots, create a list of necessary shots and tick them off when filming each scene.
4. Improve the Pacing
If a scene cuts together too quickly, you might need an extra shot to slow it down. In contrast, some scenes will need a reshoot if you feel they require more exposition from an actor. Additionally, cutaways and establishing shots can slow the pace of the film.
The pace of a film is the speed at which the narrative unfolds and the story progresses. By having the correct pacing, you ensure that your audience understands the context of the film and remains invested in the story throughout the screening.
5. Character Development
Another reason to have a reshoot is to flesh out a character. Perhaps a character needs more backstory or dialogue to relate to the audience. You can do this by adding a scene that builds up the character or by using flashbacks to provide more context to the film.
To make your characters more relatable, you need them to resonate with the audience. Your audience should find your character’s reactions and motives believable. Furthermore, poor acting is also a distraction from the story, which will require pick-up shots.
6. Plot Development
On script, the scenes, dialogue, and direction provide enough information. However, when you edit scenes you might discover that your plot weakens in some areas. To fix a plot hole you can add cutaway shots, additional scenes, or even introduce new characters.
Ideally, you will avoid mistakes with careful planning and an experienced crew. However, even professional filmmakers need help with editing and need pickups. So, as you can see, there are many reasons why you need pickup shots in film.
Wrapping Up
To sum up, pickup shots in film help improve your final cut. They do this by fixing errors and adding more context to your story. In fact, pickups can even have a positive impact, providing you with a second chance and a fresh perspective on your project.
Filmmaking is a skill that requires a lot of practice. Don’t worry if your first films have mistakes. Every film will get better, and you can use this knowledge later when you have a budget, which will save you money on potential reshoots.
