Maximizing Coverage on Ultra-Low Budget, Seeking Advice!

Hey fellow filmmakers,

I'm Amara Okafor, a documentary filmmaker, and I'm currently prepping for a narrative short, which feels like a whole different beast! We're operating on an ultra-low budget with a tiny crew, and I'm really grappling with how to get solid directing coverage without overshooting and burning valuable time.

In docs, we're often reacting and finding the story as we go, but with narrative, I want to be efficient and intentional. I've tried blocking scenes meticulously beforehand, aiming for wide masters and then punching in for two close-ups per scene, but I often feel like I'm leaving options on the table or setting myself up for a rough edit down the line.

For those of you experienced with ultra-low budget narrative projects, what are your go-to strategies for maximizing your coverage with minimal setups and limited crew? How do you make those tough decisions about where to compromise coverage for efficiency without sacrificing story? Any concrete advice would be huge.

Thanks in advance!