Art Project
When you’re looking for a job, scanning Craig’s List is a constant source of both humor and horror. Case in point: Bondage Art Project (North Hollywood) Digital artist seeking female models for bondage art project. I need a few lovely models for a series of mock kidnapping photos/videos. Must be comfortable with being tied up, […]
Fun with Walkie Talkies
My wife says I’ve been too negative, lately, so I thought I’d tell you about some stupid fun a friend of mine got me into. Walkie talkies are omnipresent on film sets. Anything bigger than a student film uses them. Because of this ubiquity, the lingo we use (a bizarre mash-up of police codes and […]
Why Are You Even Here?
While I may be replaceable, she doesn’t even need to be replaced.
Replaceable
I heard the following story second hand, but I believe it, because the director in question is a real bitch. (For my feminist readers, please don’t interpret my use of the word “bitch” as “I can’t handle working for a woman because I’m part of the repressed, straight white male hegemony.” I’ve worked for plenty […]
Easy Day
The other day, I came into the office around eight in the morning, along with the rest of the office staff. A scout was scheduled for that afternoon, at two. The executive producer rolled in around, oh, two thirty. The scout didn’t end up leaving until three. At nine PM, my boss told us it […]
Production Assistant Portfolio
Reader Drew commented on an old post, yesterday: I’m just starting to put together a resume for future jobs – I have two independent films under my belt – and for the examples I find, they have a portfolio section. What goes into a PA’s portfolio? Production photos of them? I think they just crammed […]
Starting from Scratch
Reader Alan writes: I’m enjoying your blog, got a question. How do I get in as a PA on a upcoming pilot or a show currently in production. I’ve been in the biz for a couple years now as an editor on the east coast, don’t have any contacts in LA. Kinda like starting from […]
Still Alive
I received a lovely e-mail from Michael over at Hollywood Juicer: Dude, it’s ten days since you last posted. Not that I mean to pressure you (being barely able one post a week, this pot will not hurl accusations of “blackness” towards any kettle at all), but when someone who typically puts up something four […]
Who Needs a Car?
Reader Jeff writes in: I’ve been interested in film for so long, however after graduating from college as an English/Film major, I still don’t really have a production skill I’ve mastered, so I think my best resort is to start out as a PA. Of course, I want to move out to California where all […]
Perspective
Yesterday’s post produced some interesting comments. Capn Cookie said that, while Bale’s outburst was uncalled for, the DP was still kind of a dick. Which called to mind an incident that happened on set only a few weeks ago. As you probably know, it’s standard procedure to turn your cell phone to vibrate when on […]
Classy
That’s how one of Nicky Finke’s commentators described the Christian Bale tirade that’s been making the rounds. His little outburst illustrates a number of things that bug me about actors. First of all, actors don’t seem to realize this is a collaborative medium. Notice his use of my: “You’re fucking up my scene.” He refers […]
Thanks for Ruining my Day, JohnD
Last weekend, in response to my post regarding a story producer who asked me to do his job, reader JohnD said: They have jobs because they are smart enough to go to the pool of assistants and solicit them for 50 ideas for free. They’ll stay a story producer. And of course, assistants who just […]