Infiltrating a Warner Bros feature

Edalgo_Alvarez

Edalgo_Alvarez

Well-known member
There's a big warner bros feature that's gonna be filming near my town and its gonna be the same genre as a feature I plan on shooting next summer (western). I would like to know if you guys have any suggestions on "infiltrating" the set so I can see how they handle the production/lighting/all that good stuff.

I've never seen a hollywood movie being made before and lately I have been cursing Edmonton for having a dead movie industry/support. I noticed they are havng auditions in the next few days and I wonder if maybe becoming an extra would be a good way to get on the set (although I could never be certain I would get in, because the radio has advertised it all over the city :angry: ).

Thanks for any advice, and wish me luck :beer:

-Edalgo
PS - I hope I don't come off as a lame fanboy
 
If you can get on as an extra, go for it! You might also want to check with your film office (I'm not sure how it works in Canada, here in the US every state has a film office that lists all the productions being shot in the state) and see if you can contact the production team and offer your services as a PA. Quite often some local crew is hired on location shoots. Go to the audition, though, as your first step!
 
Offer your services as a grip as soon as possible--that woulld be a great way to learn on the set. Being an extra would also be a way to be on set, but you're usually only sporadically needed. barring either of those possibilities--find the production and just hang out and watch. If you don't get in the way, the crew will likely let you hang around.
 
I'm with Barry. You might also be able to get on as a local PA. Several years ago, when a fine (yeah) motion picture titled, Surviving the Game shot it my town, I got ahold of the production manager and just asked if I could hang out. He said okay. Then, if anyone questions your presence, you can tell them you're cleared and by who's authority.
 
if they deny your inquiries, i've heard that you can actually go to the set on the days they are shooting (that is, if it's on location) and kinda just walk in. Everythings so crazy, that people might not be paying attention. You could look for someone important and just walk up and ask "hey, is there anything i can do" theres a good chance they'll put you right to work. at the end of the day, just ask to keep helping tommorow and chances are, they might possibly just put you on the payroll if you worked your ass off.
 
If you can't get on as a PA (not a grip, unless you really are . . . I hate when people call someone with no particular skills grips. I am not, and have not ever griped, but they are skilled workers, not PAs) then I would second the suggestion to just walk on.

A lot of it depends on what you want to do. If you want to be a DP, and thus pick the DPs brain, I suggest the following:

Hang around for a while, just staying out of EVERY ONE'S way. Don't make a sound, stay somewhat hidden and far from the actual set (read: stay mostly at "base camp"). Make you face familiar, and become familiar with where everything is. Try to look like you belong (don’t gawk at actors, and talk to anyone yet).

Slowly make your way towards an electric truck. Find an electric that is not doing much, and try to start a little conversation with him. Talk about how the project has been going, and such. Tell him your goals (but try not to sound like some kid with a glimmer in his eye, but won't get his hand's dirty). If you do things right, he may offer to bring onto the set for a few minutes and watch. He may also introduce you to the gaffer if he likes you. If the gaffer likes you, he will introduce you to the DP (if you’re lucky).

This works, as I have done this in the past years ago, many, many, many times. I ended up getting introduced to big DPs like Dean Semler, who then invited me back to come watch him work on Universal's back lot. I have met some of the biggest DPs in the world this way. The key is just presenting yourself in the right way, and knowing how to carry yourself on set so that you don't bother people (it also helped that at the time I was doing most of this I was 7 through 15 or so . . . I was a novelty).

Kevin Zanit
 
Thanks a lot for all the responses, guys, it looks like I've got a lot of options here:

-Intoduce myself to the Edmonton FIlm Commission
-Become an extra
-Become a PA
-Hang around the set and dont get in anyone's way, then possibly get introduced to the Gaffer/DP

If I had documentary experience this would probably make for an interesting documentary :). I'll keep you guys updated on what goes on.

-Edalgo
 
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