Assignment 1 (Jeremy Peele)

Ja-ne de Abreu- Production Manager- Pacific Enterprises Production- Hawaii

1) Can you briefly define your job to me?

My job is the owner of a small production company. I am in charge of making bids to potential clients, organizing crew and equipment, producing and directing the shoot and directing the post production along with billing the client and paying the crew. Sometimes I man a camera or teleprompter or take photos, if needed.

2) How did you get started in this business?

I started working with Gilad from Bodies in Motion in his office and when he needed help on the set I would go as a Production Assistant. I worked my way up from there.

3) How do you tell someone over you that you couldn't accomplish an assigned task?

When working in a subordinate position and encountered these situations I would tell the supervisor what I could do and offer options as to an alternate solution for what was possible. If there were unreasonable demands, I would do the research required - like getting 3 polar bears to be on a glacier surfing by Diamond Head... How much it would cost and time involved to ship 3 polar bears and polar bear wrangler and get a glacier air freighted to Hawaii and the water lifeguards to manage the shoot - and let the supervisor decide what they want to do from there.

4) Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting out?

The advice I would give is to research what you are doing, know your equipment well - and I mean all the ins and outs, and always be prepared for the unexpected. Have 3 backups or alternate scenarios like locations, dates, equipment, etc...

Never let your ego get in the way even if it is clear you know more than others on a production. Do your job well, offer assistance and allow the people in charge the space to notice your talent and skills - or not and don't care either way.

If you are in charge, treat everyone as you would like to be treated. Ask opinions and suggestions on how to do a task because you cannot possibly have all the best answers all the time and weigh what was said against what you know and make the appropriate decision whether it was your idea or not. And please do not be afraid to stick to your guns even if everyone is suggesting you to do something one way and you want to do it another and you know you are right - you are in charge and make it happen Hierarchy on set is crucial and is place for good reason!