Jaymeson Grebenc- Interview with David Stuart, NY

Mr. David Stuart is a Producer and Unit Production Manager for, and founder of, Flatplanet Films. The production company deals with independent feature films, television specials, and works of social media utilizing independent-sized budgets to deliver professional quality material.

1) Defining the job:
-- Because Flatplanet Films deals mostly with independent projects, Mr. Stuart has more responsibility for the project than would be had in a studio setting. Working as a UPM for a major studio, he would only be responsible for hiring cast and crew "below the line," which is typically a majority of the crew, extras, and the like; in the independent realm, he is responsible for hiring almost everybody. As UPM, Mr. Stuart is hired by the Producer to make (and more importantly, finds a way to stick to) the budget, create the schedule, find the equipment for the project, hire cast and crew, and make sure the shoot goes off without a hitch. He must plan years, months, weeks and days in advance because independent projects do not have the available budget to cover mistakes, even small ones.

2) Getting started in the industry:
-- Mr. Stuart was actually a Project Manager for IBM before getting into the film industry. He had always been interested in film, and after taking a class he fell in love with it. He enrolled in the graduate program at the Columbia University film school at the age of 30, volunteering for as many projects and positions as he could in order to build experience. After graduating, Mr. Stuart volunteered at the New York Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting, became acquainted with some of the people there, and was hired on as a PA. He said that he kept quiet, did good work, and watched those people whose jobs he wanted, learning all that he could. After he had gained some respect, he began to ask questions, studying his superiors in order to understand the details and requirements of those positions.

3) Telling your boss that you cannot accomplish an assigned task:
-- "I don't think I ever say "You can't..."" Almost anything is possible, and as long as the budget is met, it can be done. Getting a project into production is always a matter of compromise, and these compromises are always made when the project is too ambitious for the budget. Rather than simply saying "no," explain why the limitations must be made and offer suggestions that will help rectify the matter. More often than not, these changes come in the way of cutting superfluous scenes or shots and keeping the number of shooting days and locations to a minimum, without taking away from the story.

4) Advice for media students starting out in the field:
-- Mr. Stuart had some excellent suggestions for students entering the field of media. He stressed getting one's professors involved because they have more experience, and also have the ability to give recommendations and make suggestions. He also suggested that students call production companies and agencies, do the research, and volunteer; keep your eyes open, learn names, do what you're told and be prepared to bust your ass. When you volunteer for a project, you will get further work based on what you did, and how you did it; if you worked as an AD on a previous project (and did well,) that is what you will be recognized for, so unless you know exactly what you want to do, play the field until you find what you like and what you're good at. Always remember that professionalism and attitude go a long way, but getting the job done right is just as important. **Students, please refrain from contacting Mr. Stuart unless you are a client.**