signing to production company

[aaron_wade]

how do you get paid when you sign to a production company? do they pay you, or do you get a percentage of the budget of the projects that you are on? do you have to live in the same state as the company to be represented? any advice or info on post-signing to a production company would be helpful. thanks.

 

[pookie_old]

Re: signing to production company

What exactly do you intend to do with/for a production company, first off?

 

[aaron_wade]

Re: signing to production company

most of all i would like to be represented by a company. or could i find indie directors reps?

 

[pookie_old]

Re: signing to production company

Do you have a reel ready to show (DVD)?

What experience, type of product do you provide (video)?

Need the details in order to aim you.

 

[aaron_wade]

Re: signing to production company

well im a beginner to video production. i just wanted to know the basics of what goes on when you sign to a production company. as far as the finnacial aspects of it goes. my ultimate goal is to become a commercial director, eventually moving up to feature films. im probably gonna create about 3 or 4 really excellent spots for my reel. and shop them around to production companies,ad agents,adcouncil,...........

 

[pookie_old]

Re: signing to production company

Bear with me here, how "beginner" are you, what AV equipment do you have, etc, etc.....


There are many kinds of representation etc, I'm trying to narrow it down a bit.

 

[aaron_wade]

Re: signing to production company

im about as beginner as one can be. i have had 1 internship, been on 1 short film set, introduced to linear, getting introduced to non-linear. im usind no equip. as of now. but i will be getting a dvx100a soon.

 

[Rich Lee]

Re: signing to production company

ok, so you want to be a commercial director.

if/when you get signed by a production company. you will get paid per project. the level of pay changes as you go. if a place signs you, that does not mean you get paid, all that means is they will show your reel, and let you write treatments for projects. they do not give you jobs. what sometimes happnes, especialy for new dir. is they have a few different directors submit treatments. and the client will choose which they like the best. and go with that dir. then they will work out rate. anyway, thats how it works in la with the more popular prod co's. hope that helps.

 

[aaron_wade]

Re: signing to production company

oh ok, thanks rich-lee. its true u learn something new everyday! so, this is not a full-time job or anything like that?

 

[pookie_old]

Re: signing to production company

As Rich says, If/then/maybe + talent + luck + connections = possibly (maybe).
There's "serious" competition out there, I fly Steadicam, and now, after many years, you still work job to job, but, I have my network, plus a rep (it does help, but even reps are very particular).



Can't you hear the tears Rich?

 

[Rich Lee]

Re: signing to production company

there arent many fulltime jobs in this biz. most are freelance. unless you work for animation houses like pixar. anyway, this industry can be very chaotic.

EDIT:
haha...yeah..tears...

its rough man. its true, its all about network. gotta keep connections going so that you can hop from one gig to the next...downtime for the most part is a bummer. you always have to keep busy and connected.

there are alot of ifs...the ifs shrink the more you embed yourself in the industry. get into it somehow...production assistant is the best way if you have zero connections in the industry...even now though, to be a PA you still have to be connected somehow...its a crazy world...

 

[pookie_old]

Re: signing to production company

[quote author=Rich Lee link=board=Offtopic;num=1104646034;start=0#10 date=01/01/05 at 23:32:27]anyway, this industry can be very chaotic.[/quote]

LOL

 

[Moonwind]

Re: signing to production company

Its called being a PA or being a runner!  ;D  But don't loose heart - even Tim Burton started off as an underling at one time, to Roger Corman I believe.  Seriously, unless you know someone, or know someone who knows someone ... or knows someone who may know someone who has a cousin that knows someone's sister's brother, be ready to pay your dues by bringing coffee or running errands.  Which isn't necessarily bad - Sherri Lansing, head of Paramount, started as a secretary!

 

[Rich Lee]

Re: signing to production company

its rare that anyone starts out as a professional director. they all come from someplace. there are many many many highprofile producers and directors that started as PA's. the telented/driven/lucky ones rise to the top.

 

[Terry_Lasater]

Re: signing to production company

Aaron, I believe I saw where you live in the Dallas *area*. I live in the Oklahoma City *area*.

Things are a bit different in our region than some others. I wouldn't advise that you look for a "rep". As green as you are, I would advise you to get whatever production experience you can. Go apply at TV stations, Production Houses, etc. for any entry-level job available. Try getting on as a grip with the many film and HD video shoots that MPS (Mobile Production Services) crews up.

Don't give up! And remember, that at one time, everyone here has been as inexperienced as you.