I hate student films...

Mattykins

Mattykins

Cute Member
So I've been working on a show for a few weekends now. Student senior thesis film. I am the director of photography.

As a preface - I joined this project after his last DoP dropped his show. Yesterday we go out to a location (mind you - kid refuses to give me storyboards or photos of the location prior to us getting there)

We have a call at 6:30 AM. I show up with a PA at 6:30. He doesn't show until 7:00.

The location is in the middle of a farm. It's hot, I am sick. Lighting is awful and I tell him that we don't have many options here because its a Medieval epic and there are houses in one direction, the sun is glaring in the other, and there is a fence that is impossible to frame out.

We are running behind schedule. He decides it would be a good idea to wrap half of our support crew midday and let them go home. So now there is myself, a PA, and a sound designer needing to move everything to another location. He doesn't believe in moving stuff himself. Mind you, I can barely stand up at this point. Nick - our sound guy is allergic to horses and hay, so he is nearly incapacitated.

He makes our talent move stuff too. And our actor is older and clearly is in no condition to move anything.

So today I get a call from him saying we need a pickup tonight. So we are grabbing that at 4:00 shoot till 5:00. Then break for two hours to get the next series of shots. He has upped our schedule three more days than we had agreed on when I signed up on this. So I tell him that you need to actually start thinking about these schedules.

He comes to my place today to 'speak to me' about the show. Telling me, i am the only person complaining so I don't know if that is indicative of anything. Basically that I am an ass for telling him I was sick, and the lighting isn't working.

I have tonight, and like 3 days next week apparently left. It's driving me insane. I would drop the show. I am really considering leaving. Because the kid is an ass, he works the crew to death. (Mind you, I told him to consider getting another PA and he flipped out).

I just needed somewhere to rant. I don't want to drop the show. But personally, I just can't do it anymore.
 
What?!

DROP that crap. if hes so talented let him manage on his own.... i have no tolerance for inconsiderate people on a film set. The only way they work wel is if everyone is a team player.
 
Oh yeah - I told him everything I said in here today.

I mean - I don't ***** on set. I was complaining about the location because it sucked and the lighting and the fact I was deathly ill. His AD doesn't AD. His producer is never there.

The thing is I don't want to drop it and seem like a major ass. Since I need to work with some of these people in the future and I am worried it will reflect poorly on me.
 
Drop 'em like a hot potato. Actually, I'd have done that the moment he turned up half an hour late without a good excuse (good excuse here is not "my mother died", it's "I had to stop at a bank to pull out another $20K cash bonus for you just cause you're so awesome").
 
People's Appearances and words can be a misperception, stay focused man, if you believe in the film stick it out, you might get something good you never expected out of it, good work speaks for itself, if he is the sole producer director on the project you might have a problem he is in a position of authority, I don't k now how bad it is, if its unbearable physically and mentally politely drop out so there's no bad blood and you'll still get credit for your help, clashes like this are so frequent in the business, don't take it personal. In the end he should really let you and the rest of the crew do their jobs and facilitate the operation, thats his job making things run smoothly, otherwise he'll develop a bad reputation and no one will want to work with him again, keep that in mind and encourage him to do this, by your unflinching helpfulness, maybe he will change you never know, people and situations are constantly changing, I would keep morale civil and upbeat, try to cool the passion of anger you feel, its a poison, love to hear how it pans out. Wish you the best. PEACE!
 
Jon Starr said:
Not all us student filmmakers are that bad... :(
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You are right. But I find most to be disasters. I've worked on a lot since I am a student myself. But I also am lucky enough to freelance. Which I tend to do more often. I am very selective with student films.

I wish I could say mine runs smoothly. But last show I was director/producer on. It failed pretty hardcore. Camera went down, missing key gear, issues left and right. Worst set I've ever run. Classic example of not having enough crew peoples.

And tonight went decently. Tension was slightly high between the director and myself. But I get along with the crew great. I'll let you know how it goes.
 
Finish. I've been on my share of bad student sets, best to finish strong and move on. And stay in contact with the good crew from the set.
 
I;ve undergone this case before... getting so lost in my project, i turn into an ass...

Thats why i always have someone on set, who knows nothing about filmmaking, but is a friend of mine... to bring me back to reality

But ive never gone so far as too not help move things...

That is just sick..

Drop the project
 
Drop the sucker but do it big time. Kick him on the throat or something like that and then blame it on artistic temper.
 
Mattykins said:
You are right. But I find most to be disasters. I've worked on a lot since I am a student myself. But I also am lucky enough to freelance. Which I tend to do more often. I am very selective with student films.

I wish I could say mine runs smoothly. But last show I was director/producer on. It failed pretty hardcore. Camera went down, missing key gear, issues left and right. Worst set I've ever run. Classic example of not having enough crew peoples.

And tonight went decently. Tension was slightly high between the director and myself. But I get along with the crew great. I'll let you know how it goes.
Click to expand...


I hear you Matty, but I can tell you there ARE some really good student filmmakers out there. The thing to keep in mind is they are students. They are learning the ropes, and if you can help them to achieve their vision, doors in the future can be flung open for you. I have worked on about 5 student films so far, 1 being amazing, 2 alright, 1 ehhh, and one, I don't want my name attached. The director of the amazing one, I am working on another one with him this weekend for the UCLA Film Festival

Use your experience as a teaching tool for him/her.

And never never, lose your cool on a set. You did right by not complaining on the set.
 
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Ask the crew what they think about him, say it's to do with your role - want to make sure everyones okay etc.

Can't give any advice that isn't perfectly given already.

I admire your patients.

Again - Not all student's are like that, it happens throughout life whatever age you are. There's bad students, bad filmmakers full stop. The age ranges across the board. I'm sure there's a few on here to say the least.

Point out his faults in your personal opinion, offering him advice for next time and wish him all the best in the future. Then walk away and detonate the explosives in his car.
 
Why I don't write for student filmmakers anymore - unless we have a track record?


They rarely finish what they start. You write your ass off for them, give them some top-notch talent, and all you get in return is a big finger and a hundred promises and excuses - not all mind you, but enough to make me think twice about 'signing on'.


The actors worked free with the understanding they would have something for their reels. The writer worked free with the understanding they would have credits, and in the end nobody gets squat.


The filmmaker is off on their next project with zero concern or regard to the dropped commitments. Too may times to be a fluke. It's the rule, not the exception.


Now the exceptions, well now they are just that - exceptional.


Give the kid an option - Shut the F up, or find another crew person.


a
 
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