The other day, Michigan PA commented on a post:
I live in MI and will be working on my first major film later this month. My question is, can I psot on my facebook page about my experiences while working on set?
Yes and no.
Yes, you can say, “My boss is awesome,” or “This show rocks!”
But other than generalities and platitudes, I would advise against writing publicly about your experiences on set. Hollywood takes itself very seriously, and many like to hide their creative process from the prying eyes of the public.
You can get fired even for writing good things about your movie (i.e. “It was so funny when Jim Carrey said…”).
Basically, until you have more experience, and you better understand the attitude of your particular set, do not post anything that your boss might see later.
– – –
On the subject of writing publicly about your show, I received the following email from an editor at LA Weekly:
I ran across your blog and was wondering if you could help me.
We are looking for a below the line blogger.
I want to have a blog in which all the below the liners will read. Beyond an actor throwing a fit at craft services (which would also be good), I want someone to write about the chefs on the set, the costume designers. When production goes into overtime and why?
I want production people to check the blog each morning, and go “damn, those poor bastards at so-and-so had a rough go of it last night,” as we describe why a shoot went late, and why. Things that effect this town and the people that are in it.
Do you know anyone who can fit that bill?
Me, obviously. Wouldn’t it be awesome to see my blog along side Nikki Finke’s?
I asked if I could do so and remain anonymous, but the editor replied:
We would want specifics, for sure.
Thinking more about finding a writer who is not in the biz, or once was in the biz, but has a lot of connections.
Do you think people would be willing to be sources on shows, and name them?
And herein lies the problem. As I just explained to Michigan PA, talking about your job can lead to job loss. Even simply allowing yourself to be a sourse for a news story, if the quote can be traced back to you, can end in firing, and trouble getting a job in the future.
(Which is why, when the mainstream media catches on that the crew thinks a particular actress is a bitch, she’s probably even worse than reports say.)
All that being said, if you or someone you know would like to write for LA Weekly, drop me a line, and I’ll forward it on to this editor.
3 Responses
I used to post on FB about the paperwork and doing payroll, nothing specific or naming names but things like “Why does the DGA allow set PA’s to do the PR and Exh G when they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing?”. One day my boss came in and said an exec at the studio called and asked if I was posting about the show. She knew I was but played dumb. So now I have 2 accounts, one for friends and one for coworkers. But I still sometimes post about the stupid things that happen… And as for your MI reader, don’t do it. My current show has 2 different non-disclosure agreements and they go after anybody who violates them (including background actors).
I’m surprised how much people in general talk so openly about work on the Internet.
It’d be awesome if your blog got published on a greater scale. I’ve recently come across it and have found your posts very entertaining and informative.