What you didn't know about the industry before you got in...

[Chris S. Alexander]

One thing that I have learned is, if you're hired for a gig: never assume you're getting paid!

I made that mistake a while back when I was hired on to PA for a company in Malibu. The owner told me that I would be making decent pay, but being the young (ignorant) kid that I was I didn't dare talk money. I thought that the first one to talk money, loses...however I learned that if you don't talk money, you'll lose no matter what. I ended up making an average of $100/week. Considering that my commute was 2 hours (each way) and that I only got 18 miles per gallon on my car, and I was working 5 days a week (12 hours/day) I was putting in more money than I was making just to get there. I eventually left the company, and he hired someone else for crap pay with promises of more (I sadly knew the person).

Point being: be sure to be upfront about how much you're getting paid and when you're getting paid. Get it in writing (with a signature), make copies of it, and put it somewhere that you won't forget. If you aren't getting paid upfront but there are promises of possible pay later, then it's probably not the job for someone who is looking to find their next meal. Be careful and CYA (cover your ...)!

 

[PappasArts]

The film business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs...
and then there is also the dark side.

I think someone here used to have this as a signature. So true.

Frank

That's Hunter S Thompson and it's always miss quoted as so many writers etc are.

The quote originally appeared in the San Francisco Examiner first, on November 4 1985. As well in his book Generation of Swine was this..

"" The TV business is uglier than most things. It is normally perceived as some kind of cruel and shallow money trench through the heart of the journalism industry, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs, for no good reason.""

Not that it doesn't apply to the industry though- This town is not for the faint at heart...

Pappas
http://www.facebook.com/PappasArts
http://www.pbase.com/Arrfilms
http://www.PappasArts.com

 

[Kholi]

My biggest revelation to date: how hard it is to make a somewhat-decent feature film.

That's what most people refer to when they think the typical theatrical release: be that Transformers in one's book or Disturbia in another's.

It's very very hard to make a product that even a handful of people will pay to spend their time in a seat, viewing.

It's infinitely easier to criticize "hollywood" from that same seat.

 

[Kegan]

I'll second what you said Kholi. Working on a feature in every aspect has been the most physically and emotionally draining thing I have ever had to do..

...and I still love waking up every morning trying to figure out new ways to appeal to an audience, create a marketable film and better my skill set.

Kegan

 

[Mark Harris]

My biggest revelation to date: how hard it is to make a somewhat-decent feature film.

That's what most people refer to when they think the typical theatrical release: be that Transformers in one's book or Disturbia in another's.

It's very very hard to make a product that even a handful of people will pay to spend their time in a seat, viewing.

It's infinitely easier to criticize "hollywood" from that same seat.

true dat. I still have no problem hammering on Hollywood though because theoretically, with $100 mill, no film should ever suck. You can afford to hire the best of everyone. How can a movie possibly suck under those circumstances? Except they sometimes do. Not due to the fact that it's hard, cause you got the best pros in every department. They sometimes suck cause people get in the way...

But you are right. I made a lot of shorts before tackling my first feature. And am glad I did. Each one taught me things and built up a trusted crew. But still no guarantees. As I said i my film thread, it took me a long time to realize that I think I have something. Lot of doubts along the way.

 

[Martay]

There's so much that I didn't know but it's also worthy to note that there always seems to be something you don't know. I would have guessed that most people figure things out after a bit of time.

However, there is so much to know and so many ways to do things that you can always learn something new.

I think Mark said the business is BIGGER than you think...which is true...but after a while, you also learn that the world is SMALLER than you think. So many ways your career will intersect with others that it is amazing.

So, that means be respectful of those you work with, or for, or who works for you. Your reputation can get knocked around even through no fault of your own, don't give it reason to get even more bloody by treating someone disrespectfully.

-Martin

 

[Kegan]

The thread's not about Bloom and what's different about his style, so why bring it up? He is a success in his own right and the fact that there's a discussion about him and you recognize him by name is success in my books...regardless of what it was for.

Back on topic, I agree with you Martin. How your career intersects with other people at different stages is surprising. From what I've learned, your reputation is everything and if you lose that, especially in a place like Toronto...might as well find a new job.

Kegan

 

[David Jimerson]

I have deleted a number of sniping posts which were off-topic and do little but to create a hostile environment around here -- and that's something we need considerably less, not more, of.