If you're the AD who sent this to me, please don't fire me.

Ryan Patrick O'Hara

Ryan Patrick O'Hara

Veteran
I'm serving as a 2nd AC for a DP friend of mine, and my roommate (who is another DP) is 1sting the shoot. It's a short film.

I got my call sheet today, and I was kind of surprised with the email that came with it. I'm not sure if I'm being over sensitive but I'm a professional. I worked on 40 productions in 2011, some of those productions were just a day long, some were 6-weeks long. All had call sheets and I showed up on time (like professionals should) to every single one. I believe I was late once due to a major traffic jam. Thus when I read this email it felt like he was addressing the crew as if they were a bunch of irresponsible film students. Where's the fire buddy? I understand he is stressing important information, but if I don't get a call sheet by error, I won't sit at home and play Starcraft II, I'll contact the person who brought me onboard, as it was the DP or 1st AC. If I get lost, I'll call whomever is on the call sheet as the AD. I also know how to read a call sheet and find my call time.

Just saying I don't need important and standard call sheet info in fire-truck red and all caps. Don't worry, I'll be there. It's my job.

HOLYCOW.jpg

My reply:

GOT YOUR EMAIL.
-ryan
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Does anyone else get emails like this? I usually don't so the all caps and red font caught me as being overly insecure in my ability to read a call sheet.

oh, and again, if you're the 1st AD who sent me this email... please don't fire me... although my Starcraft II zergling rush could use a little work. :)
 
I've been on a lot of shoots where people, who should know better, don't read the callsheet, don't pay attention to anything, basically everything that is a 1st AD's nightmare.

That said, the tone was a little harsh, and I don't think it's going to help with the people who are going to screw you over as far as callsheets are concerned. Best to play nice.
 
I'm siding with Braedon on this one. IF this is a production with mostly pro's - yeah it could be construed as condescending. But he IS imparting important information. On the flip side, there's been times I WISH I'd sent something like this... come to think, it still wouldn't have mattered.

As to the reply - which email did you get? "Call sheets received" might work better. Some of recent ones I've seen might need "Call Sheet 01/12 rev 16d received". Remember - he's the one taking the blame when people don't show. Have pity.

1st rule of zero budget indie production - cherish and nurture your crew.
 
Maybe this conversation took place, "i bet at least one person won't show, oh yeah I bet everyone will show, ya want to bet, I don't make bet's, but i do know how to send out attention getting mails, oh yeah, ya". Or maybe there lucky color is red and every time they use it everyone shows. Whatever the case seems like the mail accomplished what was intended.
 
comon guys, who here can say they've NEVER been on a shoot where at least 1 person demonstrated a lack of diligence.

work ethic is an increasingly common problem on low and medium budget film sets, and i can only imagine how ADs are becoming more and more intolerant and intense because of it. some of us are here to work, and the few that aren't.... they ruin the party.

on the bright side, when i offer solutions or otherwise repair productions, the directors love me for it ;)
 
I worked with a guy once who wrote entire emails in ALL CAPS RED. And they weren't even important emails and he wasn't even the AD.
 
I would love to have an AD like that working for me who makes sure everyone responds to the call sheet to confirm the got it. After reading it, it makes me want to do that on future shoots because I've sent out call sheets and people seem to rarely if ever respond that they got it. Sure they show up, but it would be nice to know they got it because sometimes stuff is lost/doesn't go through. He's just being extra cautious and protecting the shoot. You got to admire that, as long as he isn't rude to people in the process but he seems to be helpful with a map and all. He's sort of obsessive compulsive, which I think is a trait a lot of filmmakers have, since we're used to things going wrong. :Drogar-KnockedOut(D
 
seemed fair to me......it is important to whomever sends out the call sheets to get confirmation back that they
were received.......good manners really.........

i think he was just emphasising the importance..............you could just ask him.......
 
I agree with the others.

Recently on the set I'm working right now, the producer sent out the call sheet, and information about our next shoot. She didn't ask for people to confirm or check. Turns out half the people somehow didn't receive the e-mail, and one person didn't show up at all. Could have been avoided.

Aside from that, people really are incompetent. Or people could have a lot on their plate and forget or decide not to check their e-mail or call sheet. It happens, and has happened to me on my productions as well.
 
Seems like the dude is stressed. I'd cut him some slack, who knows what grief he's getting on the other side.

If it were my shoot, Id rather have him trying too hard than not hard enough.

That is, I'd cut him some slack for at least a little while...
 
j said:
Seems like the dude is stressed. I'd cut him some slack, who knows what grief he's getting on the other side.

If it were my shoot, Id rather have him trying too hard than not hard enough.

That is, I'd cut him some slack for at least a little while...
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That's likely true. I just felt it was a little intense. For me, anything in caps lock = yelling. That plus the red, simply told me he thinks I'm too dumb or unprofessional to show up on time under normal circumstances. I shouldn't take it personally, but that is how I took it. :)

All good.
 
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
That's likely true. I just felt it was a little intense. For me, anything in caps lock = yelling. That plus the red, simply told me he thinks I'm too dumb or unprofessional to show up on time under normal circumstances. I shouldn't take it personally, but that is how I took it. :)

All good.
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I doubt it's the first time you have been talked down to because you have been blindly lumped into a group - the whole crew, in this example - which is an insult to the professional reputation you have maintained to set you apart. If this 1st A.D. knew you, he/she probably wouldn't talk to you like that.

Happens all the time - to me, at least. Doesn't make it sting any less, but at least you know it's not personal.
 
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
\

What do you mean? I get call sheets all the time, and I never get all caps in red. :P
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I mean this:

Hi everyone,

Please reply back that you have received this info…

Here’s the info for the OU at Oklahoma State (Big 12) on January 14

Location: Gallager- IBA Arena (Stillwater, OK)

Truck- TBD

Field Coordinator- John Nxxxxxxxx

Hotel info to follow…

*If applicable: You must submit an expense report for the following expenses: Parking, Gas, Tolls, Luggage & Hotel. We are no longer able to pay these expenses in with your pay, travel pay and per diem. You are required to submit an expense report and original receipt for reimbursement.

Mail to:
FS Southwest
xxx East Royal Lane
Irving, TX 7xxxx
Attn: XXXXXXXXXXXX

*Note- Everyone must Sign In/ Out on the sign in sheet…

**Note- Please ensure you are completely and legibly filling in this info on the sign in sheet In Time, Actual Out Time, Meal, Additional Duties (if applicable), Per Diem (if applicable) and Signature… doing so we assist us in paying you properly and in a timely manner.

***Note- Failing to do this will result in a delay in payment.

Please let me know you received this info…

Thanks!
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That was actually one of the milder ones. I copied, pasted and had to copy some of the styles because I didn't want to bother taking it in Photoshop first to obscure names, etc, but that is how it looks.

Bottom line: That is how the person in charge of crewing does things. What might the outcome be from me protesting his text formatting choices? I don't care to find out. As they say, it is what it is.
 
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