Duct Tape proves guilt

M

MagicCat

Well-known member
OK

All politics aside. (and I mean that, I'm not trying to start a political topic and please do not respond with one)

During the recent troubles with Mr Edwards and His female Filmmaker Friend, was I the only one more angry that she seemed to use Duct Tape to strap her wireless unit on that DVX, than I was over the difficulties Mr Edwards (and all involved) were enduring?

If you look at the pictures of his female film student, (just watch the major news outlets, they show pictures of her and John Edwards taken over what appears to be many months) taken over a progression of time, you will notice the constant use of Duct Tape to hold her wireless mic xcvr to the camera.

You would think if Mr Edwards was paying her 114 grand a year to make commercials or webisodes for him, and she was serious about her duties to begin with, she could spend a measly 30 bucks on a wireless xciever bracket for her camera.

IMHO, humorously I say, I think her lack of dedication to making video's for Mr Edwards, Verses her other recently announced interests in Mr. Edwards, is clearly proven by the duct tape on her camera.

Any real Cameraperson making that much money, would probably buy a bracket... Heck, I might have bought a bigger camera all together.


Magic Cat
 
yeah you could argue the smaller camera because she was doing documentary style work and didnt want to be invase but the duct tape is just inexcusable. Buy the bracket or at least do something a little more elegant and confidence inspiring...
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
I mean, could she at least used gaffers tape, no?

Best,

Jan
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Ha! Im still laughing. Gaffers tape would have at least shown some respect to the camera, not to mention it would have shed at least an ounce or two of credit, to her supposed profession.

I was very leery to post this observation for obvious reasons. I did not want to start something that could turn ugly. Thank you for finding the humor in it. My wife found horrors in the story that was being delivered, and just about slapped me for picking this out of that mess he is in. (even though as a producer, she agreed that the duct tape spoke volumes about the girl that is in trouble)

Now then: If anyone sees a DVX on Ebay with gooey duct tape residue, or those all-too-familiar silver strands left on the handle. It might just be something worth bidding on. Working or not......
 
It's funny that Jan mentioned using Gaffer's tape, because I have been on many shoots with "professionals" that have had years more experience, and much better equipment than myself- yet, I'm the only one who ever seems to have Gaffer's tape in my gear box. I leave the Duct tape at home, mostly because Gaffer's tape doesn't work on the kids quite as good.
 
Capt Quirk said:
It's funny that Jan mentioned using Gaffer's tape, because I have been on many shoots with "professionals" that have had years more experience, and much better equipment than myself- yet, I'm the only one who ever seems to have Gaffer's tape in my gear box. I leave the Duct tape at home, mostly because Gaffer's tape doesn't work on the kids quite as good.
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Yes, I agree, between Gaffers tape and the black aluminum foil. They are two essentials one should not go without.

It is also striking that those who don't bring their own to the shoot, are the first to use yours like you own stock in the companies that make it.

I once did a shoot where a very inconsiderate grip used 8 entire 36 inch long (@$40 bucks a roll) rolls of Black Aluminum, and three rolls of grip tape to cover up windows. (sitting right next to the rolls, were 12 4x8 sheets of black felt fabric and some C47's to clamp it down with, we had brought specifically for this application)

I arrived on the scene and was horrified. When asked why he did this, he said "because that is the way it should be done if I want to truly block out the light".

His aluminum artwork/masterpiece cost me 2 x as much in black aluminum wrap and grip tape, than his fees for gripping for me that day. I have not seen him work in the area since....
 
Capt Quirk said:
I would have taken the cost of materials out of his pay and sent him a bill for the rest.
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Yea, I could not agree more and that was my internal reaction. However, as a company, I felt it was better to remain professional, pay him for his day, and simply not call on him again.

We pay our freelancers well, and in most cases, they get a check at the end of each day. They are treated like real people and there are no pecking orders. Generally, The ego's are left at at home everyone just does what needs doing. It is a well oiled machine at times. We almost never have a problem hiring the crews I want with these simple, honest methods. He just did not fit in.

IMHO: A paid freelancer is a happy freelancer, a well paid freelancer treated with dignity and respect makes for a happy crew, a happy crew makes for a great product, great products make for happy clients, happy clients breed more clients , more clients mean more work, and around it goes.

I'm sure one day or another he will figure out why he doesn't get any work. He was a bright kid. His ego was just sucking too much juice and dimming his light bulb. Temporary blindness,... I hope.

"Better is the enemy of Done"

Have a great week!

MagicCat
 
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