Moving at a steady pace

When I initially took the job that I am working on now, I was offered work on two other films. The first one was for a film that was going to be shooting for ten days in the city with a crew that had already been working for a month or two in Israel shooting the rest of the film. While I was excited to get the opportunity to work on another film so soon after my first one was finished, I was soon offered work on another, bigger, cooler film in the same day.

The bigger, cooler film would have been 19 days of work outside of Philadelphia. It would have meant working in a summer blockbuster if only for a few weeks. It would have been, well, pretty cool. But, in the end, I decided to take the assured work of almost three months and gain several other valuable pieces to my career.

First, after having worked for four weeks on my previous film, I only needed another 4 more working in the city to be eligible for the freelancer’s union and health benefits. Second, after working in the office for a month, I would then be working on set for 25 days while we would be shooting. The days are the important thing to note here. In order to gain access to the union responsible for assistant directors, you need 600 days of on-set work as an ordinary production assistant. There are ways around the 600 days like working in the locations department on commercials or other random departments that somehow cut down on the amount you need (I think working with locations cuts the number down by a lot, but I haven’t got a concrete number yet). And third, working on set, on a bigger budget film, with a crew that is more established, would give me more contacts and avenues to pursue once this film had ended.

Why am I even mentioning this? Well, these are all the positives that I thought would keep me on the fast track to gaining a lot of valuable assets in only a few short months. After Friday afternoon however, I learned that a few of these assumptions aren’t exactly in the pipeline right now…

As of right now, I will still have no problem gaining the necessary days to get health insurance, so that’s check #1. As for the second and third positives, they are both up in the air. On Friday night, the assistant director pulled me aside and told me that the Production Supervisor (the guy who gave me work on this job after having worked with him on the last film) spoke to him and told him I wanted to be on set. The problem is, most of the positions for on-set production assistants are already filled up. I’ve been in talks with the AD and 2nd AD about where I might be able to fit, but it’s not a sure thing that I would be able to move out of the office (ugh).

The good thing about this situation is that I have heard from several people that the Production Supervisor is persistently asking and pushing for me to get on set because he knows what I want to do.

It’s always good to have someone with power on your side. Updates to follow.

Almost went in...

...but I decided against it. So last night I had to drop off a script to one of the principle actors. After knocking on his door for a few minutes (I've been told that that might not work too well) I decided to shove the script through the not-so-large-enough mail slot(Iwas also told to do this as a last resort). As soon as I was kneeling down the door starts to unlock and I jump up. After a few pleasantries I hand him the script and he immediately asks if I want to come in for a drink. Ummm...what the hell do I say?

Should I go in?

Should I politely decline because who knows how long I'd end up staying or what I might end up drinking?

Decisions, decisions.

In the split second that this occurred, I fumbled with the words "No thanks, I still have to drop off another script," and I was on my way. It was pretty cool to get the offer, so hopefully it's still there another time down the road.

I guess it isn't a bad thing to drive the actors around. They start offering short pit stops!

It’s all about what You see and Hear
Lately I’ve been doing a lot of driving while working. If something needs to get done, I usually pack some cd’s and make my way out into the wonderful New York City traffic. Thankfully this week looks to be a little less wet so going on runs aren’t as difficult and taxing.

This morning I was able to go to a few different sound stages and take pictures for the film. We are in need of space that will double as a Music Awards show area, as well as some dressing rooms so I got to take my camera out and be all by my lonesome for about three hours.

Most of the places I sent were pretty empty, as they were either gearing up for a new production or they were cleaning out one. (I think one just finished a White Stripes video the day before, but I’m not completely sure).

The first one, however, was easily the coolest. Current shows that film their range from feature films to bigger HBO series like The Sopranos as well as Sex in the City (when it was on). Silvercup Studios is the name and in my mind, is probably more recognizable because of its role in one of the better 80’s sci-fi movies around. “Highlander” used the rooftop and interior stages for the final scenes of the film and since I’ve seen the film WAY too many times, I thought it was pretty damn cool to be walking around where thousands of pieces of glass shattered 20 years before. And yes, I know how lame that sounds, but it’s the little things that can get you through the day.

I’ve been trying to catch up on my movie rentals with my new Netflix subscription so I pounded out two more over the weekend: “Million Dollar Baby” and Y Tu Mama Tambien.” I haven’t seen both even though I have heard so much about either of them. I must say I’m usually not a fan of Clint Eastwood and his directing style, which is why it has taken me so long to see his latest. I don’t know, I just don’t believe the hype when people call him such a great director. Usually when I think of a great director I think more stylistically along with the story as opposed to a purely great story and minimal input from the director (which is what I feel Eastwood does a lot: great stores…kind of boring direction). I do have to say that I thought “Million Dollar Baby” had more style and creativity that most of his previous works. It was a good film, and I’m glad I saw it finally. Kind of a downer though. “Y Tu Mama Tambien” I watched for…ummm…about 35 minutes before I turned to my roommate and asked if she actually cared what happened. We both agreed that we didn’t. it takes a lot for me to not finish a film and I sent this one packing without getting halfway through. The combination of the subtitles and lack of conflict (or anything happening of interest for that matter) didn’t make me want to watch it further. I didn’t think it was horrible but people talked it up so much so I expected much more. I mean, people thought “The English Patient” was good too.

Yeah, not really.

Another late Wednesday note
Besides the nervous meeting with our film’s star, I also got to see a friend of mine from the previous film I worked on. She was actually auditioning for a role in this film and it was completely random to actually be in the office when she was around. On the previous film she was the lead actress and on most mornings I was the one picking her up and taking her to set so we got to know each other very well.

I do have to say that it brightened up my day to see her. We had spent almost an entire month talking about random things and getting to know each other that I guess I didn’t realize how cool it was to hang out. She is a tremendously sweet girl and she is in two huge movies coming out in the next two months so I’m really pulling for her. I plan on seeing both as soon as they come out if only to support her, while also boosting the box office (not that I wouldn’t want to see her do well on her own, but I’m sure our film from last month would do better if she hit it big J).

I also saw two movies in the last two days that I feel are of note.

The first of which was “The Squid and the Whale,” which tells the tale of a couple and their two boys living in Brooklyn circa 1986. The couple decides to get separated, and the ensuing hour and a half are really quite funny. The entire film has a Wes Anderson milieu to it, but in a younger sense. It has traces of “Rushmore” more so than it does “The Life Aquatic,” if that makes any sense. Anyway, it’s definitely worth the ticket price even in NYC.

The second film I watched was “Tadpole.” I do have to say, after a lot of mixed reviews from friend and family, that I actually liked it. It had a nice rhythm to it and a sweetness that wasn’t too too over the top. It had moments where it definitely jumped into the cheesy realm, but for the most part I enjoyed it.

Realizations
Today in NYC was, to sum it up shortly, VERY WET. Wow. There was a lot of rain everywhere today and from what it looks like that is how its going to be for the next couple of days. Flash flood warnings, subways not working because of floods, two hour waits to get through the Holland Tunnel, and watching people fight with the subway conductors after trains stop running…all in a day’s work in Manhattan.

Besides today being a very wet day, it was also a day that was somewhat exciting. Granted I did A LOT of driving around the island today (three times back and forth into Brooklyn as well) but a few things happened that definitely set it apart. At around 1030am I was asked to go pick up one of the lead actors from his apartment. I had seen him in a few bigger movies and was excited to see how he was in person. One thing that was mentioned about him is that he tends to leave stuff behind (bags, cell phones, etc.) so you kind of need to politely remind him just in case he has left something. For the record, I had to bring him his backpack later at night. No one listens I guess. After meeting him, I can see that he’s a really nice guy, down to earth, and overall pretty cool.

By 1130am we are back at the office and I am soon sent out on another errand. The rain is coming down sideways now and it doesn’t really matter if you have an umbrella that covers your whole body, because the rain will find a way to soak you.

Soon after I return in the early afternoon, and about to go right back out to do another errand, I am asked to take the actor I drove in earlier, but also the lead actor. Now, this is where things get a little different. As I’ve said before, I’m a total dork when it comes to seeing celebrities and being somewhat in awe. Every time I have seen one or worked with one, I can pretty much play the whole thing off and act like they are completely normal people (which they are), but today was a new ballgame.

As I’ve probably told most people reading this, the lead actor has been in many movies that we have all seen. He’s usually pretty funny but can also play dramatic roles and seems to pop up when you least expect him. Well, when he got into the car today, I was immediately nervous. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know if I should talk him up or just be quiet. I didn’t know if he was nice or a loner. I guess I’ve always thought he was really funny and cool and driving him to his house was just a little surreal at the moment.

I usually never get nervous when I meet actors or actresses. Usually they are just like everyone else (some are nice and some are jerks), and then you move on to regular conversations. But today, it was different. I’ve always respected this guy, and even though he hasn’t really been a huge leading actor, he has been around for a long time and has done some great stuff.

The whole experience was interesting especially since I’m sure I’ll be driving them and then female lead, sometime in the future, again.

Making movie magic. Pretty cool.

It gives you Wings
Random note on this fine Columbus Day morning....

I just realized that all the guys going to the fourth floor look like they could have stepped right out of my fraternity house. Whether it be faded jeans and crew cut, or the faded Yankees or Red Sox cap, these guys all look like they just woke up from a two-day bender.

And what do you know, the Red Bull offices are on the fourth floor.

Seriously, these guys all look like they had to have two red bulls in the morning to get themselves into work. Must be a fun place to sell stuff.

Also, everything was practically empty this morning on public transportation. It was sooooo nice to have an uncrowded train. Downside is, all those people are sleeping right now and I'm at work.

Rounding out the Cast
On Monday I started working on a new film that will keep me busy until the holiday season. New offices, new people (mostly), and a bigger budget. All of which are cool things to have on a new project. The budget of this film is significantly larger than the previous one I worked one. (Think 30x the budget, but that just seems like A LOT because of the previous film’s odd way of financing and getting big name talent to sign up).

Yesterday started up as a pretty awful day. For the second straight morning I had a persistent headache that I could not get rid of. Glass after glass of water and some ibuprofen did NOT help and thus I was in a pretty irritable mood. These factors definitely contributed to a morning filled with people being overly irritating and caustic (in my mind anyway). The one saving grace about yesterday occurred after I had just gotten my lunch. A member of the casting agency asked if I could help escort actors and actresses from the kitchen to the front door after they were done. Supposedly the people working on another film (based on the book that inspired “Sex in the City”) get a little perturbed when people accidentally come even close to their workspace. So, I served as an official escort.

Before I even begin to talk about this, I must let you know I am a huge nerd when it comes to recognizing celebrities and actors and then telling friends of mine. Most friends seem to shrug it off and believe it is a part of living in a city like New York, but every time I see someone, I think it’s cool and exciting. I’m still a little kid in that respect.

But back to the escort duty. The resulting three hours were less than boring mostly because I got to meet so many character actors that I had seen in movies throughout my life. One completely over-the-top New York actor was pretty funny (I recognized him as one of the teenage friends in “A Bronx Tale”) and so he was cool to talk to. Another older gentlemen talked to me for about 20 minutes about how what it was like to be an actor in the 1950’s and 60’s and even now. He showed me his resume, and to my surprise because I didn’t recognize him, he had been in such films as all three “Godfathers” as well man other known films like “Once Upon a Time in America.” We discussed Elia Kazan (directed “On the Waterfront” and “A Streetcar Named Desire”) as well as the influx of people wanted to be on screen that can’t act to save their lives. Talking to him was an insight into an older school of acting and I’m glad I got to sit with him for awhile.

These were only a few that I encountered that really stood out. Another guy I met is easily identifiable as either an army lieutenant or a frat house player, while two or three others fit the mold of “stereotypical New York character actor that you’ve seen many times, but can’t place the film.”

Overall, it ended being a pretty cool day. This was definitely a day that I would look forward to if they ever let me sit there again for three hours chatting up actors and actresses old and new (the production coordinator vetoed that proposal since she couldn’t use me for anything that whole time).

I guess the magic of the big screen still captivates me. I mean, why would I want to do anything else?

True Hollywood Story: The Production Assistant
The Beginning...

So I’ve tried the blog thing before and I’ve gotten very bored with it VERY quickly. Mostly, I get bored with whatever I write because I don’t feel like it is A) very insightful, or B) interesting to anyone but myself (and I even debate that one once in awhile).

That being said, I have gotten myself into the career I’ve always wanted, and Jonathan has prodded me into believing that two people might read this if I keep it up to date. So I’ll give it a try, and if it gets too boring then just let me know (both of you) and I’ll disable the boring blog.

“The Untitled Project”

At the beginning of September I began work on my first feature film. As I’m sure most people reading this will know, I worked solely on commercials before, so this would be a different experience than what I was used to. First, we have the money factor. Commercial production companies are given so much money to produce :30 and :60 second spots it is ridiculous. Ergo the pay is better, and more people are on the job. Second, the level of productivity is high. Due to the short nature of most commercial shoots, and the large bags of money (with big dollar signs on them) being thrown around, things need to get done quickly, efficiently, and without complaint. For the most part, I have worked with exceptional production assistants who do their job, they don’t complain, and most important, they are smart people. They do what needs to be done.

With my limited experience to the film world encompassing a smaller budget film, the things I experienced previously are not quite the same. With much less money than most of the commercials I worked on, we didn’t have the same amount of staff as well as the same kind of quality coming out of the PA department. Granted, everyone worked hard at some point or another. Some worked harder than others and some just bitched all the time. Like I said before, if something needs to be done in the commercial world, it gets done, no questions asked. For the film I just finished, a request was usually met by phrases like “That’s not my job,” “I can’t leave THIS spot,” or this one (which I love the best) “I should be entitled to the full hour for lunch.” Basically, lots of excuses, lots of complaining. The amount of bitching that continuously came out of the PA’s was AMAZING. Seriously, these people need to find another job route because I know I would never recommend them to another film or commercial.

Alright, that was enough informative bitching to start off my new blog career.

Next up…I’ll have some stories about the new film and other little good pieces of gossip.

Cheers