No Jerks
Yesterday, Desiree said: His outburst was cocky and out of the map. But when you say “astonishingly, this outburst did not get the operator fired” I get a little scared. Everybody must also be allowed to have an own opinion, a freedom of speech and by all means a bad day. Maybe I didn’t properly […]
The Most Important Person on Set
I’ve complained about the camera department before, but just last week, an operator managed to reach below my already low expectations of civil behavior. My set counterpart was passing out prelim call sheets to department heads. Since we were rolling at the time, the PA went around to the “soft crew” first– hair, make-up, costume. […]
Happy Anniversary!
I started this blog one year ago., and it’s time for a little reflection, I think. My goal was to write something, every day, even if it was just a silly story on a blog. I haven’t posted every single day, but as this is my 243rd post out of 261 possible weekdays, I came […]
Intimacy
I was working on a short film this weekend, and we shot an “intimate scene.” Basically, the actress was nude. As is common practice, we kicked out everyone who didn’t absolutely have to be in the room. This was all well and good, but it reminded me of a terrible AD on one of my […]
A Side Order of Sides
“Sides” can mean to a couple of different things. I’m not sure how either of them are a side of anything, but whatever. When I found out that ADs are assistant directors but ACs are camera assistants, I stopped trying to make sense out of movie terms. During casting, actors are given a scene or […]
Oh, Canada!
AQBemp writes: I’m in the UK and just about to finish uni (nothing film related). There is a scheme here where you can get a work permit/visa for Canada for a year once you’ve graduated as long as you get there by January 2010. At the moment I am really considering going to Vancouver. One […]
Unemployment
David wrote in about a subject everyone in the industry can relate to. He was making small talk with a clerk at an oil change place, and mentioned that he was out of a job, momentarily– it’s no biggie since the production season is winding down anyway and that I should be able to pick […]
Who Hires Someone With No Experience?
Megan, who wrote in last week, has an interesting follow-up: You were right, I don’t have much experience. So far just one 3-day shoot for a low budget independent film and a few other things I did on my own while in school. Are there specific types of projects that are more likely to hire […]
Welcome to Los Angeles
Jeremiah writes: I’m moving to LA in 2 weeks to do the PA thing and possibly do some extras work with Central Casting (while I pursue writing and directing). I know, it is ill-advised to move out there right now but I’m doing it anyway. I was wondering if you could tell me your thoughts […]
Is PA Bootcamp Worth It?
A few days ago, Sophya asked if I’d heard of PA Bootcamp. I hadn’t, so she directed me to PABootcamp.com. I looked around their website and, to be perfectly honest, I’m not sure I see the point. It costs $285, but I tell you about most of the information in their course guide for free! […]
Think Positive
(Short post today, as I am busy in a casting session for a short film.) One particularly blustery day, the wind kept knocking over a reflector board, sitting atop a combo stand, sitting atop a high hill. The key grip sent a PA up to the top of said hill to hold the […]
Taking a Risk
Danny writes in: I have been interning for a distribution company for the past 2 years. Now that I am graduating, I am stuck between making the moves to become full time where I am, or moving on. My goal is to join the DGA ultimately, so I know that taking on as many PA […]