need advice on first real gig

DerrickTempleton

DerrickTempleton

Well-known member
I just got hired to do a one man crew behind-the-scenes 'docudrama' for a film with some big name talent. I'm shooting 720p with a JVC HD110. I'm the only one on set who's a student, and who hasn't worked on 'real' movies before. I feel confident I can do a good job, but I'm also nervous.

First off, I have to find a pro bono sound man to run the boom. I can probably find people at my school, but no one who I'd trust my reputation with. If they screw up, it's my ass on the line.

Second, I was looking for general advice about when to tell when you should just leave people alone or not bother certain people. I've been thrown right into this thing and don't want to overstep my bounds, but of course don't want to sit on the sidelines like a wimp. The assistant to the director has been really chill and I reckon she'll be the one to "hold my hand" through the learning process. I know many of you here are true professionals and I want to be as prepared for this project as possible, so any discussion is appreciated.
 
DerrickTempleton said:
First off, I have to find a pro bono sound man to run the boom. I can probably find people at my school, but no one who I'd trust my reputation with. If they screw up, it's my ass on the line.
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I think you've already given yourself the best advice in your own statement.

Second, I was looking for general advice about when to tell when you should just leave people alone or not bother certain people. I've been thrown right into this thing and don't want to overstep my bounds, but of course don't want to sit on the sidelines like a wimp. The assistant to the director has been really chill and I reckon she'll be the one to "hold my hand" through the learning process. I know many of you here are true professionals and I want to be as prepared for this project as possible, so any discussion is appreciated.
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I would suggest you do enough research to know what each crew member's job entails on the set so that you can have a better idea of when an individual will have time to cope with you and when they won't.

I think if you show some respect and interest for what people are doing and can convey that in your communication, you will hopefully gain a better level of interactivity in the production. Try to remember that you are part of the crew, just like everyone else, and not an outsider. Think of your job as equal to the other crew members as far as exercising your ability to get needed shots. Just be careful not to become an obstruction on the set.
 
thx for the tips. I'm learning to not be timid; when they ask me to do more ( I just found out I'm supposed to edit this piece too), I ask them to pay me more. As a student, I feel it's really easy to get pushed around and suckered into free work "for the experience". But they said they are treating me as a professional, so I am making professional demands. Hope they don't fire me outright for being pushy. But who the hell edits for free?
 
If they fire you for refusing to edit for free, thank them for the opportunity and find someone who will pay you! I've been in that situation - I did the whole project on promise of a cut of sales, and I got burned. Never again. Charge for your work!
 
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