Improving Pre-Pro Communication: Shot Designer/Phone Rehearsals?

Hey everyone, I'm Jason Fong, a Gaffer always looking for ways to streamline pre-production. I'm currently prepping for an indie drama where we'll be shooting on a C70 with a lot of intimate, handheld work, lit primarily with a few Titan Tubes and an LS 600d Pro. We've got some pretty complex blocking that needs to feel natural.

I've been playing around with Shot Designer for blocking and lighting ideas, and sometimes I'll even record quick phone rehearsals with myself walking through the space to visualize movement. My goal is to arrive on set with a really clear understanding, not just for the lighting team but to effectively communicate with the DP and sometimes even the actors during early discussions. I'm curious if any of you have found successful ways to integrate tools like Shot Designer, or even just simple phone rehearsals, into your pre-production workflow to improve communication with your DP and actors? What works for you?