DP's and Decision Making Help

C

Carcaridon

Well-known member
Here's my issue. I was talking with a DP that had to go abroad for a project. He and I connected on a project I'm doing, but set nothing in stone. We said that when he returned to the states, we'd talk face to face. During his absence I met with someone that I connected with in a face to face meeting, and decided to go with him. Now the other has returned and I've let him know of my decision.

I feel bad about it. Any real reason to?

Thanks for the help. I'm bad at business end stuff. :)
 
well you should'nt feel bad if you did'nt make any promises........chatting about opportunities is one thing, promising a position is another.

you dont have to be bad at business end stuff, just tell the truth and have a back bone
 
i just read that back, the "back bone" bit is not supposed to sound insulting at all, what i'm trying to say is.......say what you mean and stick to your guns
 
I understand. I made no promises. Just that we'd talk more when he came back and that I was anxious to sign someone fast. The hand was forced and I had to act quickly.
 
Hey Car, if you feel bad maybe you did lead him on. You said he and I connected.... You said we will talk face to face. Have you? The same rules apply in dating. Did he said to you that its no bid deal, that he understand etc. Did he call you weak? Did he say you have no backbone?

I've learned not to try to connect quickly, because people make big promises but fail to perform for you. Bottom line, its good you have a conscience.
 
This isn't the only project you will do, it's ok. If you and the DP are cool, see if he wants to come on as the first AC or the Gaffer. Explain yourself clearly and give him the honesty. Don't loose a contact, do your best to satify the contact until next time ...if that will work for you.

This business is too fluid to make promises until the dates are set. You and he are better for learning it now.

It's all good.
 
>If you and the DP are cool, see if he wants to come on as the first AC or the Gaffer

That's a bit of an insult!

Just be honest, tell him what you did and why. The best thing is to keep communication open, honest and flowing. Keep on good terms, you will run into each other again and again and again I promise.
 
If you didn't make any promises or sign any contracts, then no don't feel bad. This business is like that and most important to you is, 'what is on that screen'. I'm sort of in the same boat as I have been talking to a DP I like, but have seen better work from others. Heck, I may even shoot it myself.
 
j said:
>If you and the DP are cool, see if he wants to come on as the first AC or the Gaffer

That's a bit of an insult!

Just be honest, tell him what you did and why. The best thing is to keep communication open, honest and flowing. Keep on good terms, you will run into each other again and again and again I promise.
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One of the things we try to do here in NC is leave our egos at the door. There is an old saying in the industry, "hire people better than you to do the job below you".
DPs, on average, come up through camera or electric. If the DP in question can't be the DP then offer them the possition they would most kick ass at - 1st AC or Gaffer.
I know it takes a lot to be a DP and stepping down may be hard for you, but if a DP is your first AC or Gaffer, imagine the saftey factor or the extra knowledge. The more experieced the "image" crew is, the better the image. If some one is a DP and has no experiece as an AC or a Gaffer, then they are, most likely, just calling themselves a DP.

This is a fact.

Playing along and keeping folks happy is a bullet point for good directors and producers.
 
Matthew B. Moore said:
One of the things we try to do here in NC is leave our egos at the door. There is an old saying in the industry, "hire people better than you to do the job below you".
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Can't be said any better than that!
Also what if (and this is a what if) DP falls ill, can't make it, family, goes to jail....
 
Matthew B. Moore said:
One of the things we try to do here in NC is leave our egos at the door. There is an old saying in the industry, "hire people better than you to do the job below you".
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j is right, you would be more than likely insulting the DP - both of them. Unless that DP presented himself as a gaffer/AC as well, they would see that offer as a lack of respect for what they do. DPs want to work as DPs, and if this guy is working on jobs abroad, chances are that he isn't a n00b. As for the other DP who was hired, they get first pick at their crew, since he will work more hand in hand with the gaffers and ACs anyway and prolly has people that he knows and trusts to work well with. If a director/producer chooses to undermine that, the DP is not going to feel trusted and respected - increasing the chances for arguments/sloppy work/general animosity/etc.
And if somehow one ended up with 2 DPs on their set because of a situation like this, heaven help them.

A better way to approach this would be to ask the DP who wasn't hired (if and only if the hired DP wasn't able to hire any of his or her own) if he knew of any talented gaffers and/or ACs. If he offers him or herself, great. If they recommend someone, great - and then they know that you respect and trust their opinions (and keeping that door open for further collaboration).

Matthew, that's great if you have a crew that doesn't let their egos get in the way. Consider yourself very lucky. Unfortunately in this industry (or any industry probably), personality wrangling/management remains a large hurdle to overcome for many productions. It's not ideal, but it is what it is.

Garrett
 
"Matthew, that's great if you have a crew that doesn't let their egos get in the way. Consider yourself very lucky. Unfortunately in this industry (or any industry probably), personality wrangling/management remains a large hurdle to overcome for many productions. It's not ideal, but it is what it is."

It is unfortunate. Also remember that just because some one says they are a DP doesn't make it so. Those who get too offended must not have been in the industry for very long or are playing themselves. This is the other side of the personality wrangling/management sword.

The position of DP is an earned right, I agree, but one of that should be held by one with a sage state of mind, not a childish ego.

I know that is wishful thinking. It's what I was taught by one of the "Big Daddy" DP's in the area.
 
Matthew B. Moore said:
Also remember that just because some one says they are a DP doesn't make it so.
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So true.

People rip off other people's reels all the time and present them as their own, and their act is pretty good right up until they show up on set. (Being on set is like administering truth serum, exposes everyone for who they really are, LOL)

Matthew B. Moore said:
The position of DP is an earned right, I agree, but one of that should be held by one with a sage state of mind, not a childish ego.
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I wholeheartedly agree.

Garrett
 
"People rip off other people's reels all the time and present them as their own, and their act is pretty good right up until they show up on set. (Being on set is like administering truth serum, exposes everyone for who they really are, LOL) "


Dude, you are my new hero. Word the "F" up!
 
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