Alan here - Because I have a problem (and because of the time of year that it is, which determines where the sun sets...) I went and rented a couple lenses (gotta test different versions!) and a 2x lens extender to start filming The Vessel!
But really, this is just getting test shots for a pivotal scene that takes place early in the story. I don't really think that what I shot will make it into the final film, because I didn't have all the gear I needed on the first day, and the clouds were PERFECT that day. I also kinda botched my framing.
But the hope is, I learn from that, and can get this shot in the can before the sun shifts too far north, and we have a less-dramatic backdrop for it to fall behind.
And yes, I do this kind of thing all the time. I knew I wanted a cool super-zoomed-in moonshot for Moonstruck, and filmed it 14 months before I'd even written the script for that short. What can I say, when I know I need a shot, and I know how to get it, I get the itch.