Production Supervisor Kelley Sims
Our guest today, Kelley Sims, has had a long a varied career– from actor to accountant to production supervisor to, most recently, co-producer. These are the kinds of jobs you don’t necessarily dream about when you’re in film school, but they’re vitally important to the running of a show. And, as Kelley points out, working […]
Visual Effects Data Integration Lead Viki Chan
Today’s guest has a job you’ve probably never heard of– Viki Chan is a Data Integration Lead in the visual effects department. She’s worked on such big film as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Ender’s Game.{{1}} Viki is not a US citizen, and she tells us a little bit about getting sponsored for […]
Stunt Rigger Joe Ross
Today’s guest is a stunt rigger, and also a co-owner of Action Factory Stunts. Joe Ross started out as a stunt man at stunt shows (what he calls “Blade Runner meets Cirque Du Soleil,” which is definitely a show I want to see). Now, as part-owner of Action Factory, he coordinates and rigs stunts. Joe […]
Stuntwoman Anna Mercedes Morris
Have you ever run at full speed in stiletto heels? Fallen down stairs in a minidress? Been lit on fire? If so, your weekends are a lot more interesting than mine. Or, you’re a stuntwoman, like today’s Crew Call guest, Anna Mercedes Morris. She started out doing stunt shows, and eventually graduated to big time […]
Non-Union Grip & Electric Chandler Forbes
In Los Angeles, the various departments are very distinct. In smaller markets, the lines can be a lot fuzzier. That’s why we’re speaking today with Chandler Forbes, a grip and electrician from Grand Rapids, MI– the home town of the only unelected US president.{{1}} Despite the relatively small number of productions, Chandler has worked on […]
Grip & Inventor Steve Cardellini
If you’ve spent any time around grips, you’ve very likely heard our guests’ name: Steve Cardellini. He is the veteran grip who invented the eponymous Cardellini Clamp. If you haven’t heard that term, you’ve definitely seen it– Not only will Steve tell us about the day-to-day life of a film grip; he also discusses gripping […]
Personal Assistant Stuart Friedel
On today’s episode, you’ll actually get to hear the voice of Stuart Friedel, assistant to John August and producer of the podcast Scriptnotes. The job of a personal assistant is a multifarious thing. He assists (as you might imagine) John not just in writing, but also in the creation of apps and, of course, producing […]
Post Production Coordinator Zach Moss
Today we hear from post production coordinator Zach Moss, who is recently off the first seasons of Red Widow and Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. He’ll tell us about stock footage, post production security, and the many uses of the back of the actors’ heads. (No, really!) The producer of today’s episode was Chris Henry, who […]
Assistant Production Coordinator Jasmine Barceló
Today’s guest is someone most of my readers would like to meet– an assistant production coordinator. Jasmine Barceló started out as a PA on Dexter, just like you or me, and has worked her way up to a position of authority. (At least, as far as PAs are concerned.) If you’re the kind of person […]
Cinematographer Joaquin Sedillo
You guys, Joaquin Sedillo shot Veronica Mars (the series, not the movie). Do I really need to say anything else? Oh, he’s the director of photography on Glee. So, he’s pretty much awesome. Listen in on a great conversation that covers the beauty of Kristen Bell, making marriage work between entertainment industry professionals, and brewing […]
Property Master Jim Falkenstein
Today’s episode features a very enthusiastic prop master, Jim Falkenstein. He talks with TAPA about on-set dressers, brain cheese, unscrupulous prop masters, and Val Kilmer’s cigarette lighter. Check out Jim’s website, including the prop mistake of the week. The producer of today’s episode was Chris Henry, who also wrote the theme. If you like the […]
Script Coordinator & Writers’ PA Eddie Quintana
Today’s guest is in a position that I know a lot of my readers want to hear about: script coordinator and writers’ PA. Eddie Quintana tells us about his journey from office PA on films to script coordinator on TV series. Along the way, Eddie touches on such topics as stocking the fridge, finishing The […]