7. Tough breaks

Shooting wasn't easy for anyone - particularly the leading man wedged for some of the time inside a stifling, protective bomb-defusing suit.

Yes, it really can be tough maintaining your cool when the temperature outside on location is 120 degrees and your cinematographer is down with heat stroke.

''Every day we were just trying not to pass out,'' Renner recalls about acting in the hefty get-up. ''I was trying to MapQuest my self-respect and dignity constantly.''

And while Anthony Mackie didn't have to suit up, he faced his own challenges - including shooting a scene where he's supposed to be absolutely still under sniper fire and a fly lands on his eyeball.

To the man's credit, he didn't flinch, and Bigelow immediately put the moment into the movie.

Bigelow didn't make it easy for them, though - she had a stealthy idea to capture footage...

Next: Stealth shooting