Joey Williams - 1st Interview

Here is my interview with Toni Carpenter. Her contact info is at the bottom of this post. She is listed as a producer/field producer on a website for the Jacksonville, FL Television and Film Commission. It was an exciting interview (for me). Her experience in the industry seems pretty unique, although I'm sure that is par for the course. She said her most common title(s) on a production is writer/producer or director/producer. Here we go:

Will you briefly describe your job?

I work mostly in TV, as opposed to film. I wear a lot more hats as a result, mostly for scheduling reasons. Recently, I worked on a series as a producer/director. My job consisted of a one paragraph description of an episode. My final product was 26 mins. and 42 secs. In addition to basically creating this episode from scratch I was also responsible for working with writers, getting locations, scheduling guests interviews, hiring crew, scheduling crew, paperwork edits, etc. Some shows are just a one day shoot, single camera. Each producer was assigned two separate episodes in a five day period. The series had a 6-8 week turnaround total.

How did you get started in this business?

Well I actually have a degree in broadcast production, but I wasn't able to find a job like that. I knew how to write, so I got a production job writing; but soon thereafter, I took sabbatical to have children. When they went back to school, I co-authored a book. My husband was in the [film] business, and he had a client come up that was notorious for doing things wrong; shooting first, scripting second. It was a charity job, and he needed a script, so I wrote it in a day and a half, and it was produced the following week. Non-linear editing had just begun, so that was great for me. I live for the edit.

I don't like movies unless it's a small, familiar crew. I'm not geared for commercials. I like TV productions, corporates, broadcasts; it's a client management thing that you have to get used to. In ten days, my husband and I are actually taking a two year hiatus to go sailing. I plan on doing a lot of writing.

Do you have any advice for a new media student?

It's just luck a lot of times, you have to be very flexible. I came in writing. Never discount the obnoxious writing classes. The work I did as a Producer/Director, my writers got half as much as I did for writing the first half of the show; the money is in writing as far as turnaround. You can get in as a writer writing opens, closes, tags, etc. You can fix bad scripts. I often rewrote scripts well into the night. For me, writing was the best way in. PA is a pretty easy in, but then you have to find another way to bring yourself out of that level, and that can be hard. As a writer, its assumed that you have brains. I have never looked at my PA's as anything other than PA's. IF you are at all technically inclined, lighting is a much better track. I frankly hire people who know what there doing. I know if I'm getting what I want. I'm lucky I'm married to a great lighting and shooting husband. I'm spoiled because of that. As a producer, the best thing is to find those people who do the work the best they can. Pay them the best. Honor the 10 hour work day always. Work hard, treat them with respect. And lastly, understand the hierarchy. If you have a problem, go as close to the top as possible right from the start.

Carpenter, Toni Garcia

Wolf Creek Films, Inc.

Jacksonville, FL 32211

(904) 910-7372 (mobile)

toni@wolfcreekfilms.com

Field producer, producer. HGTV, Lifetime, PBS, Travel

Channel, DIY Network.

Chris Hadloch- Production Coordinator

I played phone tag with Chris for about a week before I could get him on the phone for a substantial amount of time to do this interview. He told me to get used to it. This sort of thing is a way of life in the film industry. As a Production Manager he spends most of his time on the phone, organizing the schedule, budget, and crew for his upcoming projects. He described his job as basically an intermediary for the crew and has to keep everyone on track and in line for the shoot.

How he got started.

Chris told me his start in the buisness was a mix between luck and hardwork. While in film school he took every internship he could get his hands on and constantly tried to network, which he stressed was the number one factor in getting jobs. While doing an internship he impressed an AD how put him in touch with one of his friends who was a producer, while he didn't get a job right away, he stayed in touch and eventually his persistance landed him PA jobs on a consistant basis.

How to tell someone above you that you couldn't accomplish an assigned task?

That's something you never want to have to do, but in my expierience, it's inevitable that something will go wrong. The key is to not admit defeat, instead work around the problem and come up with solutions that will make you look like a problem solver and an asset instead of the other way around.

Any advice for a Media Student trying to land their first job?

Like I said before, NETWORKING. Along with hardwork to get you noticed, networking will play a key roll if you want to land a job. Start off with an internship, or if you're lucky you can get a PA gig and get paid, but whatever you do, don't dissapoint. It is important you make a really good impression. Start some conversations, make some contacts and work your butt off.

Andy Pcolar

Sydney Thomson - Production Manager Chicago, IL

I recorded our interview, here is our conversation. There is an error on the video. It says producer, but should say Production Manager. The video is password protected. The password is below.

Video Link

password: MART

Caroline O' Brien 1st Assistant Director

1. Caroline works as a 1st assistant director, he main duties are too read the script, find out the elements(actors, props, etc...) Also she had the responsibiliy of finding out what order the scenes will go in and help the director coordinate and communicate with the actors and various departments
2. When I asked Caroline how she got started in this business she stated that it was really by accident she was in telecommunication before she got involved in media but she lost her job in telecommunications and when visiting her family got cast as an extra in a movie then got a job as a PA and did alot of indie films starting out.
3. Answering the 3rd question she stated yes she's had to do that, but when doing so she had to explain that some of the expectations from the director were just unrealistic wither it be not enough crew or the budget will not allow for something to be done.
4. When asking what advice she would have to for someone trying to get started in business and she answer just to know what you want to and if you don't know how to do it don't be afraid to ask someone who know how to do it to teach you, she said people are flattered when you ask them to teach you something.
   

Alexander A. Garcia – Producer

Alexander A. Garcia – Producer

1. Mr. Garcia is television and film producer based in New Orleans, he defined his job to me as just having to get all the elements together, the money, the equipment, crew, everything. He also stated that his job involve working with the accountants and others managing the budget. He also stated that his job somethings involves babysitting some of the crew, wither he's working on feature making sure that actors staying around the set or working on a television show or commercial making sure everyone is on point. He also stated that to do this job you must have multitasking skills.
2. Mr. Garcia stated to me that he got started in the media business by producing concerts for local bands, booking venue's for bands to play. He also worked with a production company for a number of years. Also he worked as a casting assistant on the movie called "Pride", worked on numerous short films to start out.
3. Mr. Garcia answered yes when I asked him the 3rd question and when on to say that while working on something their are certain things that you might be expected to do but you have to be realistic about your abilities first and even more important you have to be realistic about your budget most of all you may not have enough money to complete all you want to do so that means making some hard decisions and telling certain people that some things can't be done.
4. When I asked Mr. Garcia for any advice he might have for someone like me trying to get started in the business he told me first and foremost figure out what you want to do and focus on that goal. Next he told me get some internships, and don't be afraid to work for free, research, practice your craft, and build some contacts.
   
   -Jimmy Preston
   

1st project: Interview with Cynthia Felde PM

I am a Production Manager. I do mostly commercial work. Here's how I get hired: A client. let's say Rebok, hires an advertising agency who in turn hires a Production Company, who hires me. By the time I'm hired, the Producer, Director and DP are already on board. As a PM (Production Manager), I hire the rest of the crew and put all the equipment on hold. I am given a budget and must make the numbers work within or preferably under budget. The PM is with the project from Pre-Production until the film is processed and transfered or the video goes to the editor. When the shooting is over, I wrap the job, which means I gather all the invoices / payroll / petty cash and actualize all the numbers into a final actualized budget. That's it in a nutshell minus all the drama, personalities and stress that ensues along the way.

How did I get started?

I went to school for Film and Communication at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Upon graduation, I started working in the Commercial and Film industry in Canada. A few years later I moved to Texas and started over again. I worked on a few jobs as a PA (Production Assistant) and quickly moved up as I already had the skills.

How do you tell someone over you that you could not accomplish an assigned task?

In two words, you don't. There is no room for failure in this industry, if you make a mistake, you fess up immediately, so it can be remedied. If you don't know how to do something you say so right away. Everything about the Commercial world is about time and money. You don't want to cost the production either.

Some advise, you never take a job you are not equipped to do. There is nothing worse then screwing your production team because you are in over your head. Your job as a PA, which is where you would start, is to make your PM and Coordinator's job easier, there is nothing worse then having to micro manage someone who should know their job. You may want to volunteer your time on low budget films or music videos to cut your teeth and learn the ropes. Unfortunately, now is a bad time to enter the job market in the production world. The downturn in the economy has seriously hurt our industry, even seasoned PA's are having trouble finding work.

-Karmen Kaufmann

Katie Perry Project 1-Interview

Shawn Prouse
Production Manager
Colorado

Can you briefly define your job for me?

A production Manager is a person who is the head account on the shoot. They monitor the budget and how affects each apartment. You are supposed to be below budget or on budget but not over. They say this is the money we have and make sure everyone stay is budget. I also do a few other things like manage the crew.

How did you get started in this business?

I started out as a Production Assistant then I worked in production with being a grip to an Assistant Director. A Production Manager is type of person who has a deep understanding with this industry. I basically decided that I have spent enough time doing other job and I should start and change my position in life and I just did it. This is not a job you can put an application in for or study for, you really need a lot experience in film.

How do you tell someone over you that you couldn’t accomplish an assigned task?

I will tell you this, in the film business there is no such thing as NO. You have to try everything in your power to reach the goal unless it is unsafe. I do not know if I have never said No, I have always found a way to make it work. Also if you say no, you will not have a job much longer because someone else will say yes. When it comes to work you should always be able to work it out.

Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting off?

You need to have thick skin and a strong mind for this line of work. The smallest people on the crew can be the most powerful. Treat everyone the same. If you are a good communicated and you can tell good people from bad people and build strong relationships you will make it in this business. It is all about who you know. You will always work in the film business and if no one knows you will not get hired. Find someone who is in the business and work for them…free…I want to be your apprentice. Start now when you are school so you a ready when you get out of school. Meet people give up time and see if you like it. You also will be making contacts.


Payton Dunham
Line Producer
Colorado

Can you briefly define your job for me?

The job of a Line Producer is to figure what the budget is. You are brought on very early to look at what the cost of living is, cost of crew. I look at all pre production and ask do we have enough money. I can also make adjustments if I need to. I will take out some extras, or big scene like blow ups of there is no way it can fit into the budget.
Production: Line producers takes the budget and works at hiring all departments or I try to visualize it all to make sure we can stay of budget. It’s a day by day, week by week process. I have my account break it down every other day so I can see what is going on. If one department is over I figure out what to rearrange to stay on budget. This is why I like this job, I get to see the overall picture of the production.
Post: tax and accounting. Make sure we have record of everything spent. Lets the state know about how many people or hotels rooms used for incentivizes, it helps get money back from the state.

How did you get started in this business?

I worked my way as a location scout to the location manager, which I still do time to time.

How do you tell someone over you that you couldn’t accomplish an assigned task?

I would try to come up with alternates and not just say I can’t do this but say A is going to be hard to accomplish but we can do this and this instead and would these work. Don’t just say NO say here is an alternative.

Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting off?

Become an intern, just get on set…work for free and start learning now. Work on everything and watch everyone. Don’t just focus on one part because you might of thought you want to be in one department but by watching people find out this is not the right department for you.