Conference Call
A friend of mine is working in post on a sequel to a big budget movie that you’ve heard of and probably didn’t enjoy very much. The director has that kind of psuedo-fame that comes from being a jerk. I try my best not to judge such people until I’ve worked with them myself, but […]
I Have a Better Idea!
Désirée (síc) commented on Friday’s post: I wonder, do not these pro copy guys some form of woe of silence? Or couldn’t you just have stood by him while he did the job, making sure he didn’t read or made 119 copies? It feels like it must have been much easier for you to miss […]
Where’s Johannes Gutenberg When You Need Him?
“Everything is amazing and nobody is happy” by Meowbay I realize that most of my day is spent using machines that were science fiction not long ago. I work in a medium that didn’t exist 75 years ago. I move at 85 miles per hour regularly, and I call people all over the world while […]
Am I the Only One Who Thinks Like This?
Sometimes, if I’m on the early shift, I take a yoga class at the gym after work. It’s a good workout, and it helps to clear my head after a long day. Usually. The teacher coaches us with new age aphorisms in a soothing voice. She’ll say things like, “Be in your body.” I try […]
Bart Gets to Sit Up Front, Because He’s a Good Guy at Sports
Hey, remember when the Simpsons was good? Anyway. That’s what I thought of when I got an email from another Anonymous PA: Almost nobody I work with is a “real” fan of movies or TV. I read THR and Variety every morning, and a few other industry new sources so I can chat about things […]
Stop! Overtime!
A lot of people like overtime, because it means more money than they’d planned on. Not me. I budget. (Well, Mrs. TAPA budgets; I mostly ask her when it’s okay to spend money.) I don’t just budget money, but also time. Twelve hour days are plenty, thank you very much. I greatly value the free […]
Making an Ass Out of You and Umption
Yesterday, I told you to stop asking so many damn questions. Today, I’m going to tell you to ask questions. I like to mix it up like that. You see, sometimes the boss just isn’t clear. Take, for example, my boss. Yesterday, he asked me to gather all the information I could find about possums. […]
Figure It Out
Listen up, all of you who are trying to get your start in this business. This is the most important advice I will ever give you. In fact, it may well be the most important advice anyone ever gives you about Hollywood. FIGURE IT OUT FOR YOURSELF. I realize it’s oxymoronic to advise not asking […]
After Hours
I know an AC who refuses to go out with the crew after wrap. He told me, “I see these people all day, every day. Why would I want to spend more time with them?” Of course, he was dating his 2nd, so, there you go. Working on a TV show is exhausting (or boring). Most […]
Working Together
It is possible for the crew to get along.
Callsheets
Callsheets are weird, aren’t they? They’re legal-size sheets of paper, covered from top to bottom, on both sides, with ten-point font. It’s just packed with information. For most people the crew call on the front, and their department’s call on the back, is all they’ll ever look at. Hair and make-up need to know when […]
All That You Can See
You can have beautifully-lit actors reading great dialogue, but without the art department, you’re remaking Our Town.