Bill Paris (Producer) - Jeremy Peele

Bill Paris

1. My job usually consists of providing ENG crews for network and cable programming for shoots in Hawaii. Most of the time it's one crew with possible additions such as makeup artist, jib operator, tele prompter and sometime a lighting gaffer with additional lights. I work as the DP and will bring in the extra crew as needed. I also 98% of the time have a sound man as part of the crew. I own all the gear, so I rarely will rent equipment except on larger shoots.

2. I got started in the business by shooting non-broadcast projects such as weddings. After a couple of years I worked my way into a job at the ABC affiliate as a Chyron operator (Graphics). This was the starting position at the time and I just kept calling the production manager once a week asking if they had any openings until they hired me. From there I worked my way though various positions until I found my niche. I ended up on a Magazine show on the CBS affiliate that traveled to over 15 countries as a photographer/segment producer. It was a dream job since we had the opportunity to travel and do so many fun and exciting things.

3. Telling your client/producer you can't do something is sometimes hard, but it's better to be honest about it on location than to wait until they get back to the edit and find they didn't get what they wanted. The trick is to say you can't do it, but to come up with another solution. The client is hiring you to solve their problems, not make new ones by saying no. Producers appreciate you trying to get what they need and if you can't, find another way to solve the problem and get the shots they need.

4. My advise for a media student starting out is...... start at the bottom, there's tons to be learned by watching from the sidelines. Your day will came and it's better to have learned as many lessons from watching and listening than to step up to the plate saying you know it all and failing. The second part to that is to work with the best. You can learn how to do mediocre TV by hanging out and learning from mediocre crews or you can learn from the best. Your credentials will be much better by working with top of the line people. Eventually they will recommend clients to you as you progress, and who will their clients be? The top of the line quality clients, not the used car dealers and bargain basement clients you will get from the C list production companies. Another thought is...... listen, listen, listen! I sometimes work with young people who think they know it all already. To those of us who have been working in the business for a long time, it's a real turn off! You may have a lot of aptitude, but your attitude will get you asked back again and again. People like to work with eager, bright, talented young people....... WITH GREAT ATTITUDES!