And I’m Freeeeeee! Free-Lancing!
Analis asked recently: Once you get the low/no-budget film job and it ends, what do you do next? Should I assume that I made great connections and the next production I apply for will swoon upon my arrival? I wish. It’s true, after that first credit, landing that next job will be easier. But remember, […]
Responses
I mentioned Desiree in my blog yesterday. Turns out, she has her own blog, where she posted a response. Even though I disagree with her view, it’s a well-written blog, definitely worth reading, and I recommend you all check it out. Along with her own post, she commented on mine: I’ve never justified him yelling. […]
No Jerks
Yesterday, Desiree said: His outburst was cocky and out of the map. But when you say “astonishingly, this outburst did not get the operator fired” I get a little scared. Everybody must also be allowed to have an own opinion, a freedom of speech and by all means a bad day. Maybe I didn’t properly […]
The Most Important Person on Set
I’ve complained about the camera department before, but just last week, an operator managed to reach below my already low expectations of civil behavior. My set counterpart was passing out prelim call sheets to department heads. Since we were rolling at the time, the PA went around to the “soft crew” first– hair, make-up, costume. […]
Happy Anniversary!
I started this blog one year ago., and it’s time for a little reflection, I think. My goal was to write something, every day, even if it was just a silly story on a blog. I haven’t posted every single day, but as this is my 243rd post out of 261 possible weekdays, I came […]
Do Me a Favor
Hollywood is built on favors, but some people don’t seem to realize that. I’m making a short film. Just about the only way to make a decent short, without going broke, is to borrow equipment and get your friends to work for free. In exchange, you offer them free food, their name in the credits, […]
Intimacy
I was working on a short film this weekend, and we shot an “intimate scene.” Basically, the actress was nude. As is common practice, we kicked out everyone who didn’t absolutely have to be in the room. This was all well and good, but it reminded me of a terrible AD on one of my […]
The Inverse Relationship of Seriousness and Gravity
I met a former Las Vegas police officer, and he told me the following story: We got a call for a suicide. Self-inflicted gunshot to the head. You could see the victim from the front door. He was sitting at the kitchen table, kinda in profile. The entry wound was on his temple. The gun […]
I Get Passes
I’m a dumbass. This fact is reasserted to me at irregular intervals. Today, for instance. There are free movie screenings all the time in Los Angeles. You can sign up for them with LA Weekly, Campus Circle, Screening Exchange, and many, many other places. The one hook is, they won’t let you in if you […]
More About Honorifics
Yesterday’s post generated a surprising number of comments, considering I didn’t once mock the PA Bootcamp. Readers proposed several theories regarding the Sir/Mr. dichotomy, but here’s one I didn’t think about until late last night– it’s all Walt Disney’s fault. Back in film school, our stage manager (and my old boss), Herb, was a retired […]
Titles
There’s a curious inconsistency I’ve noticed in the way film industry address each other. No one is ever called “Mr. Spielberg,” or “Ms. Ephron.” It’s “Steve” and “Nora.” Even if you’ve just met the person, you’re instantly on a first-name basis. This is particularly hard to get used to for a polite boy from the […]
Feed Me!
There is always food on set. Always. It took some getting used to, for me. My first day on set ever, the AD told me I should go grab some breakfast before things got hectic. I approached the catering truck sheepishly. I only had five bucks in my pocket, but I wanted to fit in […]