Putting Together a Crew

Brian Parker

Brian Parker

Well-known member
Sorry if this has been mentioned before guys but after doing shorts where I was director, DP, editor, producer, etc., I want to start focusing on just directing and honing my skills because I know that spreading oneself too thin dilutes the overall quality of the finished project.

So I want to start building a crew, my main focus on a DP and producer, as well as some cool lighting and audio people. My goal is to form a strong working relationship based on mutual trust and respect but I know that has to come with time. For now, how can I go about meeting these people and starting to work with them?

Fortunately, I live in Atlanta and while it's not L.A. or anything, it isn't the middle of nowhere. So any ideas on how to start networking and making those connections? All help and advice is appreciated.
 
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I think your doing the right thing. Just post and your bound to meet some great people just on this forum. Im in Orlando. If you ever need a stunt coordinator or Stunt player you can contact me for example...lol
 
Thanks guys. There are so many really cool and talented people in the DVXuser community. Hopefully I can keep networking and keep meeting some really cool people to work with. I sent you IMs.
 
Hey Champloo, I'm in and out of Atlanta these days but let me know what you've got going on and I'm always glad to help out, however you need.
 
Good call

Good call

I think you're really making a mature, smart decision by working to focus more on what you really want to do. I see way too many people, even in Los Angeles with so many talented individuals around, who want to do it all themselves. They want to write, direct, edit, do the music, produce, hold the camera, etc. Their work tends to be quite mediocre usually, because they are just not great at any one given thing, they are fairly solid at many things, which is nice, but they don't trust anyone else to help them so it really hurts their work. This is an artform / business where you have to trust other talented professionals to help you achieve your goals if you're a director.
 
Find the closest city and work out of there.

Find the film office for your state and talk to them also. Or just grab some friends and try to work that way.

I live in ashland/middle of nowhere and so i can just head out to richmond va and find some people that way.
 
JonathanLB said:
I think you're really making a mature, smart decision by working to focus more on what you really want to do. I see way too many people, even in Los Angeles with so many talented individuals around, who want to do it all themselves. They want to write, direct, edit, do the music, produce, hold the camera, etc. Their work tends to be quite mediocre usually, because they are just not great at any one given thing, they are fairly solid at many things, which is nice, but they don't trust anyone else to help them so it really hurts their work. This is an artform / business where you have to trust other talented professionals to help you achieve your goals if you're a director.
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Thanks JonathanLB. Yeah, I love editing, I could do it for hours and I can write OK but I have no problem shooting other people's scripts. I want to work on a project where everybody gets to shine.
 
I would actually start just making friends first, though finding a common interest among people is always good. Some people with be obsessed with film, but for those who aren't, it will be nice to know they can talk about a different subject once in a while.

Also, a lot of people sometimes get scared when it appears a lot of time will need volunteered or a project. I would start smaller, or if it is a bigger project make sure you have good intent for all members you ask to help. It will be a more meaningful project if you assure them it will b e well worth it.
 

Here is my way of getting permalancers on budget and making sure they are reliable.

1- I hire people with skill and with desire to do their jobs with a passion as a grip/pa/2nd ac...etc
2- Then I pick pro-bono fun jobs and give them different roles 2nd Ac gets to be 1st AC, Best boy electric becomes Gaffer....etc
3- I let them work side by side with industry professionals through apprentice style projects and take time to personally tutor them.
4- Once they have proven themselves I offer them top dollar and keep them close, from there the loyalty keeps them close by.

This really allows me to step back and direct and not worry about the crew as they are molded to be top notch and still be affordable.

Does it always work? No....we did waste our time with training a few people that turned out to be lazy and incompetent but it is still worth it.

Now I sometimes go far as scheduling around the availability of my permalancers.
 
Good advice ryan06 and emretufekci. I've pretty much exhausted my filmmaking favors with my friends, the majority of which are nowhere near my desire to make films.

Where do you initially find those people emretufekci?
 
I start at rental houses. The younger people working there are usually use that gig in order to get their hands on equipment they normally would not see. They are very well versed in the use of the equipment but only lack the real world experience.

It works out to be a profitable venture for both as one of them saved my shoot just last week, I had been given the wrong size rods and we could not mount the remote follow focus on the steadicam. The AC who I hired from a rental house jumped in his car came back with replacement in 15 minutes.

He saved the shoot and got immediately got booked for 2 more weeks. He has a great personality and go-getter attitude.
 
emretufekci said:
I start at rental houses. The younger people working there are usually use that gig in order to get their hands on equipment they normally would not see. They are very well versed in the use of the equipment but only lack the real world experience.

It works out to be a profitable venture for both as one of them saved my shoot just last week, I had been given the wrong size rods and we could not mount the remote follow focus on the steadicam. The AC who I hired from a rental house jumped in his car came back with replacement in 15 minutes.

He saved the shoot and got immediately got booked for 2 more weeks. He has a great personality and go-getter attitude.
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Ah, that's great. Sounds good. I love the "jack of all trades" nature of guerilla filmmaking. I feel like it's a rite of passage but I can't wait until I'm able to just direct.
 
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