OK... where to start
I have done things with crazy shooting ratios and really tight one to, even on digital, and let me telll you for experience that I preffer much more the tight ratios
One: you should start rejearsal even a month before the shoot ( do a theater technique) prepare them in a really tight way: 4 weeks should do it and if yo have more time with them ... well do a plan of meeting and rehearsing with them 2 to 3 times a week for 4 to 6 weeks
If is a short..... damn!!! your actors are going to be smoking they are going to trust you that you know what you are doing and also that would give you room to experiemnt more and try new things that you had in mind
you can even shoot the rehearsals with mini dv.... even with cheap 1 chip cam.... so then you got back home after work or before goinng to sleep and you examine much more..... you get within the story the characters and the perfomance......( after story, your most important thing)
For a format a would go with Super 16.... is a much more "cinematic format" and it will allow you to( if you have great DP) to get as close as 35 mm, check the Motorcycle Diaries..... They did it so can you.... but also you have movies like PI that shot on regular 16.... and they did great to.... again story is what matter then your perfomance then how you tell the story with the visuals and then music an so on... ( to me they all go toghether, if you loose one that will suck!)
Now going on music..... Bro you have TONS I mean TONS of great musicians so close to you all the time and we ignore them because we are in our little bubles....... they are call Street Musicians..... some of them suck ass.... but there is alot of talent out there .... go to fairs.... check in subways go to any park and you find people that will do it next to nothing.....
Remember a lot of people in this forum are spoiled by their employers or themselves, getting the best equipement out there ( Do get it personal admitted it happens to everybody)
YOu can get great glass, a good cheap HIgly modified Eclar NPR or an arriflex SR2 and go out there do your stuff... also great stock .... don't forget that.... and that will be it....
Good lights, good crew, and a director "that knows what he wants", especially that....( alot of directors today yestarday and always, prey to know this most of them don't have a clue, if from the get go the anwser the stupid questions and they follow the MAin concept then that's at least a guy that you can work with) once you have that man you are done ...
I hope that helps
Best
I hope that helps