Once everyone is on the same page, make your crew assignments, clearly stating what you need from everyone. It is best to establish a system and fall into a rhythm. Crew members who work together well seldom stand around wondering what they need to do next. They all know what they are doing and, when you are ready to shoot the scene, everything should be in place and ready to go. Coordinate the camera with the lighting. Make sure the talent know what they are doing. Walk through the scene with them while the crew is setting up. Keeping the talent in the loop is another way to ensure a smooth production.

When getting to roll tape, check the crew positions, and have all tell you they are ready - camera, audio and talent. During the scene, watch the monitor, concentrating on the action of the talent. If you have a good camera operator and audio mixer, let them take care of the picture and sound. When you have finished the shot, ask for a report from the camera operator, then the mixer.

Finally, check with the script supervisor to make sure the talent spoke the lines properly and everything worked. Make a note in the camera notes log of any problems with the shot and if it was good. Make sure the script supervisor keeps track of the good takes, making notes for every shot. When you finish with shot notes, decide whether you want to shoot it again, and consider any changes the crew needs to make. Again, this is the point where you need to be firm and decisive. Don't debate the good with the bad. Tape is cheap; if you are not absolutely sure you got what you want, shoot it again. The crew will not have a problem doing it over again if you have a good reason and if they are sure of what you want.

Go through the rhythm of every setup, making sure everyone knows what's required and the desired outcome. When the day's shoot is near its end and everything is stowed away, call a short meeting to explain the next day's shoot. Make sure you praise the crew for its good work, praising in public and criticizing in private. If you are having a problem with a particular crewmember, pull that person aside after the meeting for a private talk. Calmly explain what you are expecting and what the problem is. Ask if there are any particular problems, and make sure you know what the person needs to make sure the problem does not continue. Be firm but be fair, and make sure you listen. Yelling at a crewmember gets you nowhere. Save the yelling for the idiot that pulls out in front of you on the way home!