set-ups

[Bushwhacker]

I barely understand the following paragraph:


In-between set-ups for his scenes with the actress, John could be found dazzling crew members with his ability to tap-dance on soggy wooden boarding that was barely keeping thick, wet mud at bay.

The context is that of a movie shooting.

I think it says that between shot and shot with an actress, the actor John dazzles crew members tap-dancing in a platform made of wood and soggy full of wet mud reluctant to disappear.

Am I right? But, What are set-ups here?
Is the platform soggy because the mud is wet?
What nuances am I losing?

Thank You

[Rover_KE]

Set-ups refers to the preparations the film crew are making to the film set between scenes.

The wooden platform is soggy through constant soaking with water - probably rain. It was keeping thick wet mud away from the film set, but only just.

Rover

[5jj]

In the set-up for a scene, the actors try out various poses and positions so that the director can decide which ones they will use when the shooting starts. They are setting up the scene.

It has been raining hard; the earth has been urned into mud. The boarding has been laid on the mud so that people can keep their feet dry/clean. However the boarding has become soggy because of the wet mud and/or rain, and it is hardly protecting people's feet from the mud.

ps. Rover beat me to it.