Questions you would ask a Producer who wants to hire you.

capitalP

capitalP

Veteran
Hey guys, I have the potential to get my first paying directorial gig. Meeting with someone who is in the industry tomorrow. Not an A-list or B-list but still a great opportunity. This will almost be like a job interview. I got 2 feature films under my belt, but their all been done out of pocket... you know the rest. Anyway, this is a busy guy and I couldn't really get him on the phone or email, so my question is, if you was in my situation, what questions would you have ready for him, and how would you get ready for this meeting. Here's a couple questions I thought about.

1. Will this be Union or Non
1. What is your end goal, DVD or Theatrical
2. To what extent do you want me involve(Director, Assistant Director, etc...)

Basically I'm going in this interview with little info about what the guy actually wants. This is as much as I know, The person is looking to do a movie, they forwarded me a treatment and want me to be involved. That's it.

But I have a feeling he might want to Direct(he is not a director) and just have me sort of oversee the production, but it's his money... Truthfully, I would like to Direct but I gotta feeling this person is itching to be in the director's chair. But I'm willing to be 1st AD because this could open a lot of doors.

I've never been put in this position to be interviewed for a possible director's job, maybe some of you have and could help me get prepared, it's tomorrow at 11am. Just got the call this morning to come in.

He even said he has a couple of other Directors he's in talk with, but I wanna ace that interview tomorrow.
 
I don't work in the biz so take this for what it is.

Directors: I've dealt with a few who have called themselves that. What I've noticed is the ones who don't talk, or don't like to talk, are full of it.
I recently spent 2 months working on a project, trusting the director, as I think I should, and once again it all fell apart because he didn't know what he was doing.
I'm learning, the hard way. By now I think I can spot the warning signs.

So, a good director should know what he wants and be able and willing to respond to any questions you may have in detail, with enthusiasm!
If you don't see that, if you feel like your being kept out of the loop, run!!!!!!!

Just my opinion. If your up for director, know what you want and how your going to do it. If anyone gives you small talk and avoids your questions, I'd run.
Never again for me. I've learned my lesson.

But, like I say, I'm not in the biz. That's just been my observations over a few years trying to work with people, for what it's worth.

Good luck my friend.
 
Find out who write the script, What the budget is, and you had a good instinct to find out the final medium.

Your job is to give him the best quality product for the budget he has. But be realistic. See what you can afford in terms of location, costume, art direction, Camera/lights, and the necessary crew to run all of that.

I did the quick numbers on a 800K budget for a feature recently, and honestly, it can be done, but at the major cost of quality and compromise EVERYWHERE. No department will be well equipt enough to do their jobs efficiently. Spend your money on Locations and Art/wardrobe. You can point any camera at beautiful set and get great images. So make sure you have somethign pretty to shoot.
 
The meeting went pretty well, I think I was a little excessive with the questions, It felt like I was interviewing him instead of the other way around, but we'll see if I get a call back Monday.

But at least I have a more understanding what budget and other major things that are involved. A script is not yet ready, I told him before we do anything we have to get that script done, he might of been annoyed with me telling him to get that script done, I mentioned it like 4 times during the interview lol, but good guy though.
 
capitalP said:
The meeting went pretty well, I think I was a little excessive with the questions, It felt like I was interviewing him instead of the other way around, but we'll see if I get a call back Monday.

But at least I have a more understanding what budget and other major things that are involved. A script is not yet ready, I told him before we do anything we have to get that script done, he might of been annoyed with me telling him to get that script done, I mentioned it like 4 times during the interview lol, but good guy though.
Click to expand...

Uh oh.

Better tell him to get started on the script ASAP and offer some of your ideas.

Good luck!
 
Generally, when someone wants to hire me I get very skeptical. You know, the whole "not wanting to be a part of a group that would have me as a member" bit.
 
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