10 Responses to Lies I Get Told on Set
A New Orleans-based coordinator responded to Thursday’s post, and I felt it was worth calling everyone’s attention to: 10. I mostly rent PAs cars. When I ask for a personal vehicle to be used, you either get mileage or gas paid for. If a flat happens on the job, I work with accounting to get […]
2nd AD Anthony Robinson
Today’s guest is a 2nd AD who got into the DGA the hard way– by earning his days as a set PA. It is not easy. Anthony Robinson tells us about everything from buying lunch to directing background actors, all while maintaining a positive attitude. Here’s a little secret that even Anthony doesn’t know– I’ve […]
10 Lies I get Told as a Production Assistant
I’ll admit, other than a few shows that went on location in Vegas, I’ve never shot outside of Los Angeles. I have never worked in places like New Orleans or Detroit, where tax incentives draw film production. I work in Hollywood, literally and metaphorically. But today, a guest blogger wrote in to talk about PAing […]
When Do I Get a Call Sheet?
Elle writes in: I’m doing my non-paid, freelance internship as an Art Dept. PA. This one is a web-based, Emmy-nominated series. I’m asking the 2nd AD for a call sheet (or any information at all, like ‘Hey, yes, we need you tomorrow’) at 8 pm and getting the emailed call sheet at 2 a.m. with, […]
Scheduling Conflicts
Michael writes in: I freelance camera op at two digital production companies that each have plenty of work but also have plenty of freelancers at their disposal. Each week it’s hard to coordinate my schedules between the two, as they can ask me to come in a day before and, at many times, their schedules […]
Am I Too Small?
Indy (a college student) writes in: I’m currently in college, and I’m interested in working behind the scenes for film and television. I would love to someday become a cinematographer, but one question that I’ve always wondered is if I’m too small to hold and operate a camera for long periods of time. I’m very […]
Sound Mixer Chris Henry
Today’s guest is a voice you may find familiar– our very own producer, Chris Henry. Besides recording and editing Crew Call, Chris is an on-set sound mixer for indie movies. He’s relatively new to Los Angeles, and so I felt his experiences might be useful to some of the younger listeners out there, who are […]
Shit Happens
I just saw this post on Reddit: Christopher Nolan breaks the 180 degree rule in The Dark Knight Can anyone explain why he did it, and also why it works? I’m new to film making, and I’ve been told that this rule is a rule that you shouldn’t break. But after seeing that Christopher Nolan […]
Production Designer Vincent Reynaud
Today’s episode features yet another department about which I know precious little. Our guest is a production designer, Vincent Reynaud. We talk about color, design, and many things I just plain don’t understand. Plus, Vincent has a delightful accent. The producer of today’s episode was Chris Henry, who also wrote the theme. (I screwed up […]
Hey, You! With the Face!
I’m not sure about you guys but one of the biggest problems for me on a set is remembering everyone’s name. Seriously, though. Especially when you are working a short commercial gig for one or two days? UGH. Every single time a gig starts and you have to ask someone for the 50th time what […]
October Mixer – Film Industry LA & TAPA, Together at Last!
The next meet-up is happening on October 26th. This time, it won’t be just PAs. We’re partnering with Film Industry LA to invite people from all fields of the entertainment industry. We’ll be gathering at Barney’s Beanery in Burbank (say that three times fast). We’re starting a little later than usual, 4:30pm, because apparently there […]
Costume Designer Eden Miller
Today’s guest is Eden Miller, a costume designer who’s worked on everything from soap operas to features. She’s even designed her own fashion line, Cabiria! This is one of those episodes where I went in almost totally blind. I know almost nothing about this department. Luckily, Eden knows everything, and gives us the lowdown from […]