Finding a director/crew

finn_mccool

finn_mccool

Active member
Well, I've decided that I need to hire a crew, including a director, for my first two short films. I just don't have the requisite knowledge to do the job I want to do, and figure I can learn a lot if I hire others with the experience. I'm wondering if it's normal for a director (or DP) to have his own crew, or if you generally have to hire them separately? Do most directors and/or DPs have a regular group? This would be my preference.

Also, where can I go to find them? I'm in the Washington D.C./Baltimore area, and am looking to film two "episodes" of what I hope will become a series. The shoots would take about 3 days each, I'd anticipate, and my budget would be around $30,000 total.

Where should I turn?
 
DvxUser is an amazing resource for creating contacts or stick an advert on MANDY.
Directors/ Dp's tend to know good people to work with.
As a Producer you will quickly find-out who is worth a salt in this game. The industry wherever you are tends to be small and people doing good work are talked about.
The main selling point of film schools for me is the contacts, I didn't go to one and it takes time to build up a good team, once you've got a great team, you tend to work with the same people.
Best of luck.
J.P.
 
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I'm lucky! Working at a TV station, I have a dedicated and competent staff that is willing to work for low pay or favors on their projects.

It also gives me access to a wide variety of gear that I wouldn't otherwise have.

But, for those of us who don't work in TV, let me recommend checking into local colleges' film & video programs. You'll usually find plenty of people willing to work for credit. It's a crap shoot, though-- half of them are usually talented and motivated, the other half are dead weight.

Of course, I'm still in college as well, so I get hit up for stuff all the time, too. I'll usually work (and loan them my gear) for a token payment if the script is worth it.

David Kuznicki
Production Manager, WGTE-TV30
 
Finn:
You're in an area with a pretty decent film community - not phenomenal, but decent.
In addition to Mandy, try CraigsList for postings. Also, check out MySpace and see if there are any indiefilm groups in your area. You may also want to check with any public access stations as well with a wide variety of people with a wide range of skills either at the station or making their own show.
You should also get in touch with the film commissions in both DC and Baltimore. I know in Baltimore they recently wrapped a season on The Wire, so there's definitely some crew lingering.
I'd say you have a huge advantage with having a budget of $30k. Don't know what your script is, but you can at the very least afford some key elements to any production: catering and sound.

However, my larger advice if you want to direct is this: save your money, but a DVX of your own, and go out and shoot a few shorts with zero budget. You'll make a ton of mistakes, but learn a ton.
 
If you can't find anyone for free, and usually can, even actors wanting to sharpen their chops, and egos... deferred payment. So deferred no one ever sees a cent. But hey, you'll find peeps, everyone here best ideas how.
 
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