5 Essential Tips to Survive Your First Overnight Shoot

Posted on: Apr 29, 2025

Photo Credit: EvgeniyShkolenko || Shutterstock

By Ben Hickson

Over the years, I have worked on several overnight shoots, but I will never forget my first one. There was something undeniably exciting about the idea of working an overnight shoot. The idea that you’re doing something most people never experience was enticing to me, but when I worked my first true overnight shoot, reality hit hard and fast. I quickly learned it wasn’t as easy as I had anticipated.

I’ve done long days before, but an overnight shoot flips your whole world upside down. You’re working when your brain wants to sleep, eating meals at weird hours and trying to function like a normal human while your internal clock is crying for help. Looking back, I survived it, but I would’ve thrived if I’d known just what I was getting myself into.

Key Takeaways:

Proper sleep preparation, including tools like blackout curtains and sleep aids, is crucial to staying alert and safe during overnight shoots.
Essential gear like headlamps and pocket flashlights can greatly improve efficiency and safety when working in dark environments.
Despite the physical and mental challenges, overnight shoots can be deeply rewarding, fostering strong bonds among the crew and offering unique creative opportunities.

1. Make Sure You Get Enough Sleep

It may seem like common sense, but ensuring you get enough rest for an overnight is harder than it seems. Often the day before you are on a regular day shoot, so simply flipping your schedule like that can be difficult. Even with blackout curtains, sleeping during the day can be a struggle because your body is naturally wired to be awake. Light, noise and just plain FOMO (fear of missing out on daytime life) can make rest tough, so if you need to invest in earplugs, a sleep mask or even melatonin to get to sleep, it may help you in the long run. Your performance, safety and overall well-being depends on how rested you are.

2. Headlamps and Flashlights Are Essential

Working in the dark can be very tricky, especially when you need to find something or get a task done in a timely manner. Whether you’re working in a field, a back alley or a dimly lit set, you’re going to need light to see what you are doing.

On my first night shoot, I noticed several pros utilizing headlamps. I have come to learn that they are a lifesaver when you need both hands—especially in grip, electric or art departments. Small pocket flashlights are also handy because they can help you safely navigate cables, gear and terrain. Depending on the show and occasion, some departments will provide a light of some kind, but I would much prefer to be prepared with my own. I would suggest you get a headlamp with a red light mode, because it preserves night vision and is less disruptive on set.

3. They Aren’t Easy, but Can Be Rewarding

Going into your first overnight shoot, you will likely be excited and feel like you are doing something so cool that a lot of people won’t get to experience. I know that is how I felt. I was excited and felt like this was a big milestone in my film career. However, what I was not ready for was the amount of work. Because the logistics of night shoots can be hard, many productions opt to do as few overnights as possible. Depending on the project, this could mean there is a lot to get done in a short period of time, and crews are often felt rushed throughout the night.

All that mental pressure, coupled with your body fighting for sleep, can be draining. Everything feels slightly off, and there’s a strange haze that settles in around 3 a.m. when time stops making sense. But if you can push through the tough parts, there’s something rewarding about it. You see the city or the wilderness in a completely different light (literally and creatively). The atmosphere can be oddly magical. Whether you’re shooting a moody thriller or a quiet dialogue scene under a streetlamp, overnights have the opportunity to bring cinematic magic.

4. It’s a Great Bonding Experience With the Crew

Something I did not expect from this experience was growing closer to the crew. There’s a strange, yet beautiful camaraderie that grows during overnight shoots. The fact that you’re all in it together—feeling exhausted, slightly delirious, and swapping snacks and survival tips helps people open up more. During the several overnights I have worked, there are inside jokes that develop, group yawns and the quiet understanding that this is a weird experience, but you’re doing it anyway.

These moments build trust and are great for building professional relationships that last. Some of the strongest friendships I’ve made on set started during long overnight shoots. I can recall on my first overnight shoot as a PA, I was sent to the production office with the AD. We were in this old spooky building alone at night, and began noticing some paranormal things happening. Now we may have been tired and delirious, but we bonded over our shared experience nonetheless. There’s something about struggling together under moonlight and work lights that forges a bond you don’t forget.

5. Caffeine Is Your Friend

I would not have survived my many nights without an energy drink or two to get me through. By no means is it a necessity, and I understand it does not work for everyone, but for me, having an energy drink or coffee available on set is a must.

If you want to keep morale up during an overnight shoot, the easiest way to do that is to have coffee and energy drinks fully stocked. People get tired and need a little pick-me-up throughout the night, and simply having it on hand will help the production go smoothly.

Your first overnight shoot will likely be one of the most challenging and memorable experiences you have in production. It’s not going to be easy, and you will make mistakes and learn a lot. But with the right mindset and a little prep, it can be an opportunity to grow, bond and create something special.

Following these tips will help set you up for success and go into the night feeling more prepared than I was when I began. So sleep when you can, pack a headlamp and stay positive. When the sun finally rises and you hear, “That’s a wrap,” you’ll know you made it through, and maybe even want to do it again.

Benjamin Hickson is an aspiring producer and production coordinator who has 4+ years experience working on various Film and TV projects. He has a background in Public Relations and served for six years in the military. He also has passion for travel and aims to increase LGBTQ+ representation in the entertainment industry.

Browse thousands of jobs and find your next gig! Sign up or login to Staff Me Up and get on-set today!

You may also like: