Cover Letter

Bryan writes in: I have been out of work since December and I am dying to get back to work.  I read what you had to say about cover letters and it makes sense but  I am having a difficult time simplifying it.  I have been sending out resumes like a mad man and I […]

Who You Gonna Call?

Scott writes: I really enjoy your blog, it’s entertaining and informative. I do have one question to which I could not find the answer after going through your past blogs. I’m pretty new to all this so; when cold calling from Production Notices, like this one: “THE CAPE” Pilot / NBC 02-11-10 BERMANBRAUN STATUS – […]

Animated Acting, and KeyPA

While reading some old blogs, I came across this post about performance capture, from Observations on Film and Art.  While not as mind-bogglingly dumb as Mark Harris, Kristin Thompson still exhibits a terrible misunderstanding of the relationship between acting and effects.  She lists several differences between Zoe Saldana and the character she plays.  What she […]

Reflections on the Oscars

Don’t worry, this won’t be as long as Ken Levine’s.  (Nor probably as funny.) My main thought is about Sandra Bullock.  I haven’t seen The Blind Side.  (My mom recommended it, which kinda pushes it down on my Netflix queue.) Anyway, the general consensus is that she won not so much for this particular performance, […]

Believe in Yourself!

I really enjoy the Creative Screenwriting Magazine podcast, despite the fact that their interviewer, Jeff Goldsmith, is a massive tool. (That’s a post for another day.) The most recent one features several of this year’s Oscar-nominated screenwriters, and I highly recommend it. One problem I have with this sort of panel, though, is the constant […]

Cold Calling, and Music Videos

Reader Yoshi writes: One major thing you’ve omitted is getting work on commercials and music videos.  I got all these leads off various sources, but I’m not sure what the protocol is when cold calling them, since you’re not calling a p.o..  Who do I ask for and what do I say? I wish I […]

Clarification on Terms

Reader VJ commented on Friday’s post: Where in the hell does an “assistant” anything – even Director – get off being a dick to anyone? Unless the actual director is an überdick, then I guess it’s ok. But you would think they would save the dickery until they had a title without “assistant” right up […]

Rarities

Regarding yesterday’s diatribe, I wanted to mention an AD I know who is an exception to the rule. He is one of the nicest guys that I’ve ever met.  And not “nice” on the evil-troll-to-asperger-syndrome scale that most ADs are rated on.  I mean, even compared to normal people, he’s really, really nice. Other than the […]

The Prevalence of Asshole ADs

Anonymous Base Camp PA writes… Well, actually, first let me explain what “base camp” is, for those who may not know.  You ever see a usually-empty parking lot full with unlabeled white semi-trucks and trailers?  That’s base camp.  It’s where the physical production is based, specifically the AD trailer. Even if you’re shooting on stage […]

Celebrity, Major and Minor

Along with getting back to writing my blog, I’ve been catching up on a backlog of industry blogs.  Today, I stumbled across this post from the Hollywood Juicer. Michael is like an internet big brother, and it’s nice to know somebody out there worries about me. Had I read that post at the time, I probably […]

Workin’ on the Night Shift

One of the worst things you can read in next week’s script is, “EXT. [WHEREVER] – NIGHT.” Say goodbye to your weekend.  Say goodbye to your wife and kids.  Say goodbye to good, old fashioned sunlight. You see, we can fake a lot of things in television, but when you’ve gotta shoot outside, day is […]

Anonymous Assistant’s Annual Academy Awards Analysis! Part II

As happens every year, most of the talk around the office for the last few days has centered on the Oscar nominations.  (Well, that and Lost.)  Camera guys are bitching that District 9 didn’t get a cinematography nomination, writers are mocking Avatar for getting a best picture nomination but not a screenplay nod (which didn’t […]