So, You Wanna Work In Movies - Page 12

I've had people balk when I tell them my lowest going rate as a PA is $150 a day, like I owe them something just for being considered for the job. I only do stuff pro bono if I know them or if it's going to be a single day shoot where the connections would outweigh the loss of being paid. But if you want me for a week, be prepared to pay the premium. I promise I'm worth it.

Yeah, that's a big reason for me leaving Austin. In three years living there I had one paid gig.

The last gig I got offered there was two weeks of phone calls and interviews. Finally, they said they wanted me to be the office PA. So, and I kick myself for not asking this way ahead of time, I asked what the rate was (thinking it was going to be $100/day since it was an indie). That's when they told me they weren't paying PA's. They actually seemed upset that I was asking for pay and that I was upset there was no pay.

Way it was explained to me after I had moved to NOLA, they figure they can get free PA's in Austin because of the film school and the attitude of the city. I have been paid for every gig since moving home.

I would work for free on friends shorts and stuff, but if there is an actual budget feature, no. You need to get paid.

I never understood that. I was fortunate enough to be on salary (though it was by the hour and not enough to live on), but I saw our PM turn more then one potential PA away because they expected to be paid and she wasn't about to pay them. You can't ask someone to work 12+ hours a day and expect them to do it out of the kindess of their hearts.

Well, I have my next gig, which is my old gig at Memphis Beat. Bad thing is it doesn't start until the end of January.

Yeah. I loved working on Memphis Beat. My boss was great, and I really enjoyed it. Just sucks we got pushed back. But better than the mid to end of February start they were talking about.

Paying PA's: you pay, they show up the next day as well. No pay and there is no incentive for them to show up.

I'm trying to make the transition from Set PA to Office PA, just revamping my resume right now. I've never worked in an office before, I need some tips on how the production office works and my resume.. It's looking pretty weak for an office gig.

Office PA is a lot of doing runs. Runs from the office to set. Runs around town to get the things different departments need. Most of the office skills you will learn on the job. Just make sure you let them know what you want to do.

 

The great thing with an office job is you get more direct contact with the director, the producers, etc.  I worked as an assistant production coordinator -- which is essentially the same job with a few more responsibilities -- on a shoot a few years ago  and I'm still reaping benefits from the contacts I made.

Anyone have any advice on getting started as a grip in LA?  I considered doing this a year ago but now I've gotten serious about it.  Worth taking classes at extension school or just learning on unpaid work and then networking onto bigger sets?  I want to join a union within a year if possible and start supporting myself (to the tune of $1,200 a month) within three or four months.  This is a serious career choice.

 

Yeah, I know was talking about film school and stuff but everyone's told me not to go.  Especially the film schools.  Just want to get big sets, learn some technical stuff, etc.  Thanks as always.

Jesus, even I didn't realize how much we have going on here in New Orleans. Seven different shows in the building I am in right now. Plus three other shows starting prep right now that I know of. I know offices struggling to find crews. I hope it stays this way all year. Of course I hope our local government gets off their butts and recruits a studio.

Does anyone know of any technical schools in the LA area that have affordable classes on how to work as a grip?

Awesome! Our new governor just proposed a plan to essentially end our film credits by October. Congrats on your future influx of projects NOLA and New Mexico! Need a good locations guy? Call me, please.

 

http://www.freep.com/article/20110218/BUSINESS06/102180394/Film-wrap-movies-

New Mexico's might be going away as well. I also keep hearing gossip that Georgia might lose their's as well (funny since I know two projects which just shot there and were staffed mainly by people form Louisiana).

 

Of course we just had a story published which said we lost the Mahalia Jackson biopic because of a lack of studio space. I hear there are other reasons, but yeah, we are in desperate need of a large studio complex. Anyone got a few million they could loan me?

 

Meanwhile New Orleans is packed with projects, but after July I have nothing yet on the calendar.

We're low on studio space too, and I feel like what do have is screwed. Oz: The Great and Powerful is supposed to be shooting in a new studio outside of Detroit, an 80 MILLION DOLLAR studio, and I have no idea what they can do after that wraps to bring in big time revenue. There are a couple other studios I assume are equally fucked. 

 

There's still a chance that the cap might not happen (a rather small chance, seeing as Synder campaigned against film incentives long before his election) but it's already hurting us. Today The Avengers backed out of filming here this summer, and other productions are following suit, simply because of a mere proposal and lack of assurance from the state. Don't know what I'll do if the show I'm managing in a few weeks pulls out. BLURGH.

The Avengers are shooting up in Cleveland this summer, and I figured I'd see about getting a job as a production assistant. My question is, what steps do I need to go through get a shot at it?

Depends on how long they are going to be there. First step, find out if they are opening up a Production Office there. If so, head over and drop off a resume. Maybe find out where their main production office is, whether L.A. or New Mexico, and send a resume there as well.

 

Not sure how big your production community is there, but they could be bringing in their own PA's. Green Lantern brought in all their Set PA's from First Unit from L.A. (which was a waste of money and I heard bit them in the ass). But, GL's 2nd Unit was almost all locals.

 

So basically, find their production offices and submit a resume and follow up with them.

 

i always seen Chritopher Nolan as an example . he is a born genuies . When he first came up with his maiden movie The Prestige . he showed that he could do wonders!!!

The base for The Dark Knights was ready.I just wish i get the same sucess as Nolon!!!

First off, learn English.

 

Second, his first movie was Following and his first success was Memento. The Prestige was his 4th film

 

And how can you want the success of someone whose name you can't spell correctly?