So, You Wanna Work In Movies - Page 2

Remember kids, there are dumb asses in every business.

I am supposed to be wrapped on Friday. I spent today loading trucks up to take stuff out (not my job, but its what happens when you are one of the few guys in the office and the biggest one). I have a ton of files to go through and fix for the studio, and we haven't even started on the wrap binders - oh, and I have been asking since the beginning of May what the studios needs from me for the files and wrap binders and I still have nothing official. But yes, let's have the office do set dec and props and costumes' work because our bosses want those departments wrapped early.

I loved the people on set on this movie, especially our director, stunts, and our producer. The office has sucked. Even my wife said she wants me to find a fun gig next time.

How is everyone else's gigs going?

Oh, and Greg, can't say I ever meet that guy.

And, anyone else finding work is drying up for the summer thanks to the SAG negotiations? I am actually contemplating a PA gig in July for a reality show.

So, now that I am of the newly unemployed ("between gigs" seems to be the industry code word), I realized I am not sure we have ever shared our resources for looking for work - well outside of others in the business. So here are some sites I use and look at, and I am sure others like Greg and Ryan can contribute:

Mandy
Production Hub
Solomon Street Films
- check under Rumor Mill
- run by a local AD here in New Orleans
New Orleans Office of Film & Video
- just got their shit together, but things look very promising
Texas Film Commission

Craigslist is always good for small indie flicks and sometimes low budget features, such as MOW's and Lifetime flicks.

By the way, it was damn nice to wake up late this morning. It has been awhile since I didn't wake up t 5 or 6 on a weekday.

Well, been off since June when I finished on FD4. There has not been a lot going on here. But things were starting to pick up and I still wasn't hearing anything. But this afternoon I got a call to go interview for a director's assistant position for the movie Alabama Moon.

For those wanting to work in this business, you had better be willing to swallow pride every now and then, and be willing to see the bigger picture. Sort of a step down for me, but if the director is who I think it is I am willing to do the job. Plus, the producer of the show is someone I really want to impress since he comes here about once a year with some interesting, well funded indie film.

Well I just got the call and got the gig. I will be Tim McCanlies' asst for the movie Alabama Moon. Start in a bout a week and a half. Ready to go back to work and excited to work with him and some other people on this movie.

What is this "savings" you speak of? Really though, our's is gone. I was wrapped out of FD4 two weeks earlier than I was supposed to, and spring was just one of those times where every time we tried to get ahead something came up.

McCanlies seems like a nice guy. Looking forward to working for him.

By the way, it is one of the best things in the world getting a new script. Makes me excited whenever I get one whether it is for my show or another.

Morals of these last few posts by me:

- Save. Find a way to save and always keep some saved. Never know when the dry spell is going to come around.

- Be open to whatever job comes along.

- Treat people well. You are going to need their help later on.

By the way, I am so ready for SAG to make a fucking deal. I think that has been a big part of the problem, people were scared to start in case there was a strike.

Well I pretty much got this gig because of a local ad putting my resume in and saying good things about me. But I do know people who think they will have future gigs after treating people badly or without respect.

By the way, so ready to get back to work. Looking forward to it. Kind of cool right now thought down here, we have three really interesting projects going on. The one I am on is an indie film based of a Young Adult book. There is another one called Welcome to the Riley's starring Jams Gandolfini. And then My Own Love Song from the director of La Vie En Rose.

Be willing to know when to stick with a pic for the contacts and the people you are meeting.

I've worked as a PA and grip on indie and studio productions alike for far too long - basically, it just wasn't the right work for me after a while. But I kept at it, staying late, not complaining, doing some stupid shit, etc. And so now I have a mixed reputation, I think as a reliable worker who doesn't like his job. I'm still called for work occasionally and I've been out of film for a year - naturally, I got the fuck out of the film industry before sullying any pipe dreams of directing one day. Working your way into film seems to require a mix of growing a thicker skin and being able to put up with a certain amount of shite, but also thinking for yourself. A couple times my department asked me to do something questionable, and in one case, illegal, in a 'professional' production.

I'm glad I worked in film instead of a job at McDonalds in my teens, but at the same time, I didn't have enough hope for a future to do very well in it...but surely, after a while, faces are forgotten, personalities fade away, and I can weasel my way into the industry with some short films...right? Film is so network-oriented that I feel I'm dealing with the gestapo, and I wasn't even a set douchebag or whiner.

Well this show is wrapped. Always get sad at the end of a show. It was actually a pretty great production office to work in.

So now the question is what next? Don't know of anyone who has been contacted about next year. Rumor is Treme is bringing in a coordinator from outside. There are shows coming I know. I know Imagination Movers has a second season coming and then there are rumors and talks of other shows.

But then again there is all the fun with SAG. At this point I just want them to take the deal on the table and then spend the next three years forming an alliance with the other guilds. Until all the guilds/unions learn to join together and bargain as one nothing will truly be gained (yes, I know this is a fairytale).

Time for some drinking and writing.

PAing is a shitty way to get anywhere... You have to be willing to eat shit and smile about it. Luckily I'm a pleasant guy in the worst of situations and got a little lucky...

That is every job. Not just being a PA. And trust me, it doesn't always get better as you go up the ladder: you just have to grin and eat shit from people even higher up the food chain. But at least the pay gets better.

PAing and asskissing won't do the job alone, but it doesn't hurt. Until you're Spielberg, though, be prepared to eat shit from some asshole who outranks you for a long time.

Since we are discussing being a PA, I should share this story. The other office PA on this gig had to go to the producer's apt to grab some stuff and take it to FedEx. No big deal, just meant driving to the south shore and into New Orleans. So that was going to be his afternoon, not too bad a day.

Until of course he was held up at gunpoint and had his car stolen and everything in it.

But we have a good production staff, so they got him a rental car to get through the holidays and the producer is pretty upset so he is trying to help him out as well. But that just sucks.

So who is doing what over the holidays or is everyone else taking time off? And who is following SAG closely?

I'm directing The Basement next month, so that's taking up a majority of my time. I'm also circling the wagons on this feature that one of my friends just got cast in, they need a camera operator. I'm suspicious how for real this guy is, though; he's claiming UA is going to be putting up money for this film, but I've never heard of him before, he's not on IMDb and I have a hard time buying that Tom Cruise's company is getting involved with something that last I heard wasn't even budgeted at a quarter million. I dunno. We will see.

Yeah that does sound suspicious. I have become wary of the pitch: Well the director/producer is friends with (insert name of director/actor here). Or the pitch: well it is being looked at by (insert studio here).

I had someone try and get me to come up and coordinate a pic for less than what a PA makes on most indie features here on the basis the director is friends with Gus Van Sant. Great. Is Gus going to pay my bills as well? No? Well, then sorry, I have to pass since I need to do things like eat and have power.

I would rather someone just be honest and say: hey, we don't have a lot of money, but we would really like you to come work on this project. In fact, if they had been that up front, they could have had me rather than trying to awe me with a famous name.

I eat PA's for breakfast now.

Yummy.

Domingo, I'm sorry, but I'll take Casey and Ryan's word over yours at this point when it comes to solid advice.

I was giving advice?

That looks like a statement every time I read it... What the hell is wrong with my statement? I think it's great.

I read it as being an unpleasant way to get anywhere - not an inefficient one.

Media's filled with control freaks. Being underneath one who has legitimate authority over you just comes with the territory. Being able to smile about it is increasing your chances of surviving and progressing. As Greg said - most jobs are like that.

Being a PA beats the shit out of working behind a counter at some food chain, believe me. Plus I've been able to live for weeks off the amount of Teddy Grahams I've pocketed from catering.

That last statement is so fucking true I don't know where to begin.

I just graduated as a film major and am looking to get some gigs of my own. Reading this thread has been a big help, so big time thanks to everyone who has posted info and advice.

You can begin with how fucking awesome I am. :-P

Also, PA's get walkie talkies. Cashiers don't.

PA = Win.

I'm lucky I got that playing on the radio urge all played out in Filmschool.

"Ground control, to major Tom... Lock it up... The shot, is... Onnnnnnnn..."

AD: Okay PA's, stand by.
PA 1: Red three, standing by.
PA 2: Red seven, standing by.
PA 3: Red five, standing by.
AD: ...I hate you guys.

True story time!

AD: Lock it down, kill house lights.
PA #1: Roger, Roger
Me: What's our Vector, Victor?
PA #1: What's our Clearance, Clarence?
AD who has somehow never seen Airplane: Huh?

Thanks Syd, now I HAVE to do this one.

Director: Get that nerd shit off my set!

*zooms off in Mach 5*

One of my best friend's (son's ninong/godfather) grabbed a screen cap of my credit from CCBB. Pretty cool.

By the way, going into the new year and completely not knowing what the next gig is going to be. No fucking clue. Just part of this business.

On my first PA gig I had part of a conversation over my walkie transmitted across the set. Apparently the button jammed against my pants. Nothing embarrassing was said, and I was somewhat anonymous; they know me as The Example told to budding PAs in this region...fortunately, no shooting was done at the time and my voice wasn't familiar...to most. Amazingly, I worked for two years after this experience...I was impressed that not bitching and working well can get you somewhere, unlike some other industries I've worked in...but that said, all the absolute worst shit I've put up with has also been in film, along with the best work experiences. I appreciate the variety, however. But hopefully I'll be moving to the editing suite...more suited to my personality...there isn't a Chewer by chance involved in this and residing in Canada, is there? Just wondering if they may have any idea about entry-level prospects in their respective city...

Stay away from reality tv. Seriously, fuck that unorganized out of town shit. Really, from key set pa to prod coordinator in a city you have never been to and know nothing about the city or let alone its production slate and experience? Yeah, not going to be any problems there. Jackasses.

I've worked a couple reality TV gigs as a PA, and I guess the flip side is you get to discover just HOW rehearsed and controlled the "reality" really is. It's not a big revelation, just bemusing to see the producer still try to call it a "reality" show.

Oh, I knew is was all BS before. Just been irritating is all. But hey, they called me in for a couple of more days and it is money coming in.

Really want to land on on Jonah Hex or Treme. Jonah Hex I know has been scouting offices. Treme office is open and they have ads out for actors.

Also, had a friend contact me about being the Line Producer/UPM for a low budget, non-union horror film he has coming here in March. So trying to decide if we can make it through Feb on little money so I can do that one.

FUCK! Found out today Jonah Hex is crewed now in the office. Looks like I won't be on Treme either (one I really wanted) or Imagination Movers.

So trying to figure out what now. More and more looks like I need/should do the UPM job my friend has. Doing some prep work for it tomorrow (office space, location, possible post facility). Greg and Ryan, you might get some messages from me for advice/help.

Sorry, I am whining and venting a lot lately on here. Just feels better to some times get it out.

The way jobs are right now, vent away Casey. I've been lucky the last few weeks--got a week long editing job followed up by PA'ing a pitch pilot for CMT in San Angelo. That was fairly big, and paid well (the trade off being I had to drive all the way the fuck out to San Angelo). One of my lowly PA duties was to drive the producer around everywhere, but the upshot is I got to make nice with him and he said he'd help get me a hookup if I ever went out to LA (he's fairly big at Warner).

So I've got that going for me. Which is nice. Of course, that means I'd actually have to go out to LA.

Yeah, the move to L.A. isn't even an option for me even though I know I could get a gig out there. So have to make my line in the sand here.

I am just hoping this is leading to me having to do this UPM gig and it actually coming here since it is so much more the way I wan to go (as I like to say, I want my name at the fron of the movie not the end).

By the way, cool thing, the other night go to take my mom to see Benjamin Button so she could finally see my name in the credits. Nice to have that moment with her.

Wrapped All For Audrey tonight!

This is my first production of this scale with an Above-The-Live position. All of the (RED) footage looks absolutely beautiful and I think it's all going to be worth the many producer bricks I shit. I'll be writing too many blogs about it, I assure you.

Congratts.

Took my Final Cut Pro 101 exam at the weekend.

I'm now apparently an Apple Pro! Hooray!

So wondering what those of you who work in production think of the Christian Bale thing?

Personally I don't think it is that bad, especially without knowing the context of the day or the shoot. My only question is where is the 1st AD and if Bale was like this the whole shoot, why not be a little extra cautious?

But yeah, I have heard worse from AD's and dept heads. And I find it funny the people who think this is something big. The worse I have gotten personally were both over the phone and neither time was really my fault. Although, i did get my ass chewed out by a 1st AD for doing sides wrong once, but I learned my lesson and went on with it.

I checked imdb, and there's a Bruce Franklin listed as the 1st AD. There's a Bruce mentioned by Bale in that thing, so he could be right there. He seems to be trying to calm Bale down also.

I find it funny the people acting shocked or talking tough about this. I think a lot of film fans have no clue at all of what a film set is like and wouldn't last very long on one.

And yeah, staying out of an actor's eyeline is the first thing I was taught on a set.

Edited to add: Thanks neoolong

Yeah, I just don't see it being that bad. And really, if it was the DP who did that, or anyone above a green Set PA, they really should know better.

Really, in some ways I feel bad for Bale. This shouldn't have been leaked at all. And really, I have had lower level actors throw fits before. Bale would get a lot of slack cut. And if people think that is bad, go hang around a Fincher set.

Hahaha, that little sound clip was more true than most of every movie I've seen about making movies...