It can be a challenge shooting unit stills on a movie set – you have to move in stealth-like to grab your shot without distracting the talent or interfering with the film crew. If you’re good you also capture some great moments thanks to actors and the crew responsible for sets, lighting and camera angles. “After the Beep,” a film short written and directed by Rachel Jacob (who also plays a leading role), tells the story of a terminally ill young woman who suffers the consequences of her decision not to tell her best friend that she is dying. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed for this film, recently submitted to the Sundance Film Festival. Meantime, here's a peek at some behind-the-scenes stuff film buffs might find interesting:

Gearing up for a major bedroom scene with best friends Ruby (Rachel Jacob) and Nicole (Margaret Wild) required tilting a heavy (not to mention expensive) camera that was attached to a dolly.

Following is the shot I took after the crew had finished the scene, while standing on the bed and balancing one hand against the ceiling so as not to topple on the talent (never been more grateful for my 12-24mm wide-angle lens and Nikon D800's burst mode!).

More bedroom scenes ...

Below, director of photography Jerry Jacob of Atherton Pictures sets the lighting for an office scene before the camera and sound crew gets in position.

Below, Margaret Wild (Nicole) as my camera captured her during a take ...

... and a post-scene still of Rachel Jacob (Ruby) and Margaret Wild (Nicole).

Below, first assistant director Amy Husband checks the office scene take on a monitor as Rachel Jacob and Jerry Jacob (background) make set adjustments.

Cameron Brown, who has acted in "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" (for which he was nominated for a Young Artist Award), "Looper" and "21 Jump Street," plays Ruby's young brother Charlie.

Above, Charlie is comforted by Ruby's best friend Nicole (Margaret Wild) and Ruby's mom (Ronnie Hooks).

Below, a close-up monitor shot of an exterior daytime scene of Ruby (Rachel Jacob) in her car.

Below, preparing for a nighttime scene ...

In one of the most emotional scenes in "After the Beep," Nicole (Margaret Wild) repeatedly attempts to contact her best friend Ruby but hears only the recorded sound of Ruby's voice on her answering message. 

Following five hectic, emotion-filled days of filming, I gathered the principal actors (clockwise from far left: Ronnie Hooks, Rachel Jacob, Margaret Wild and Cameron Brown) for a casual, pre-wrap party photo.