I was assigned Connecticut, and for my interview I emailed back and forth with Lucille Smith.
1. Can you briefly describe your job to me?
I FREELANCE AS A PRODUCTION MANAGER/LINE PRODUCER. PRODUCTION MANAGERS OVERSEE, ORGANIZE AND MANAGE THE SHOOTING OF THE FILM WHICH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
1. READ THE SCRIPT
2. BREAKDOWN THE SCRIPT AND DO THE 1ST PASS OF A SHOOTING SCHEDULE [SUBSEQUENT PASSES ARE DONE BY THE 1ST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR],
3. DO THE BUDGET, HIRE THE CREW & EQUIPMENT [WHICH INVOLVES NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS AND MAKING SURE YOU STAY WITHIN THE CONFINES OF EACH THEATRICAL UNION ]
4. WORK TO STAY ON BUDGET
5. OVERSEE THE WRAP OUT DURING POST PRODUCTION
2. How did you get started in this business
I GRADUATED COLLEGE WHERE I MAJORED IN PRE-MED BUT REALIZED THAT I REALLY WANTED A CAREER IN ENTERTAINMENT......MY 1ST JOB WAS AS EXECUTIVE AT THE ACTORS STUDIO . I THEN SEGUED INTO CASTING, THEN FILM PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING AND ENDED UP AS A LINE PRODUCER/PRODUCTION MANAGER.......
3. How do you tell someone over you that you couldn’t accomplish an assigned task?
I NEVER HAVE......I JUST PANICKED, FIGURED IT OUT AND DID IT.........NEVER SAY YOU CAN'T DO SOMETHING
4. Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting out?
EMBRACE THE WORK [EVEN IF YOU HATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING]........MY MANTRA ANYTIME I'M ON A PROJECT WHICH PROVES TO BE POLITICALLY DIFFICULT IS: .....FOCUS ON THE WORK...TAKE THE HIGH ROAD.....LEAVE WITH YOUR HEAD HELD HIGH
My State was Georgia and apparently Nickelodeon and Universal have moved their studios to Atlanta to get better tax incentives and lots of projects are being done there.I spoke with Anna Millman in AtlantaGeorgia.She has been a Writer and a Producer for Turner Classic Movies, GameTap.com, TBS, and the Weather Channel.com since starting her career in 1994 she has received 6 EMMY nominations.She lives in Atlanta with her significant other and it was really hard to catch up with her.
Ron Huff: Thanks for doing the interview Anna.Could you briefly define your job to me?
Anna Millman: How did your get my number?
RH: From a Production database online for Georgia’s Production Professionals
AM:This is an awful strange time to call, I was in the middle of something.-Well I’ve done extensive work with the Weather Channel and TCM as a producer, but I’m currently laid off from work.
RH: Really?
AM:Yeah this business is challenging!
RH:How did you did started in this “business”?
AM:Well are you an LA or New York person?
RH: Uhh New York?!
AM:Well then you have to go to New York and work for about 5 years in whatever you can get into production wise there.In this industry 5 years in New York or LA is awesome for your resume.You could be crappy, but if you’ve worked in New York or LA-you’re “in”.If you make it there it opens doors!I started out with 3 different internships with Turner Broadcasting.They were really important in starting out.Internships are like Gold!
RH: really gold?
AM: GOLD!!!
RH: Well Anna, my next question is: How do you tell someone over you that you couldn’t accomplish an assigned task?
AM: If it’s your Boss, you got to them with “Strategies and Solutions”.
RH: What are those?Can I buy them?
AM:Sure, it’s going to your boss-because this person is “your BOSS” and telling them WITH TIME, this is what I’m up against and this is what I’m trying to do and they might add, alright try this also.You never want to present what can’t happen or what you’re not going to do, because this is “YOUR BOSS”.
RH: Wow!Well my last question is:Do you have any advice for a media student who is just staring out?
AM:Well, what do you want to do?
RH:I want to direct TV shows and movies.
AM: Really TV?
RH:Yeah.
AM: Well TV right now is like Law & Order and shows like that. So you’re gonna have to try to get in with one of those guys.Network and meet people and your internships are going to be the key that’s where you meet everybody you can!Be nice to everyone, because this industry is so small.I mean really small.Do not burn bridges!Do NOT!Some one your work over may be your boss some day and some one that is YOUR BOSS may be asking you for a jobs some day.The business is like that.Do really good work and make sure you have the right attitude!
If you are going to do an internship make sure it’s the best!Make sure it’s like NBC, or Oprah-whatever the best is!Go find the best don’t settle for like channel 71 or something go for the best this is your career!
RH:Thank you for the interview Anna!
AM: No problem!You should definitely check out Cynopsis online it is a daily Media Brief on what’s going on in the business.Make sure and check it out.Also check out my website AnnaMillman.com I made it myself and it the best website on the internet.If your class what’s me to come speak to the class I will-for a small fee.
RH: I’ll keep that in mind.So can I call you back with different questions from the producer’s class at my school?
AM: …
RH: Hello? -Must of left, well this is Ron Huff interviewing Anna Millman from Atlanta!
A) I work in pre-production putting together the gig, movie and location. I’ve worked in Italy. I do production management. I make sure things go smooth. This is a high pressure job.
Q) How did you get started in this business?
A) Marketing for architects, event organizations in Italy for actors, jazz festivals, production intern, and marketing communication. I just sort of fell into it.
Q) How do you tell someone over you that you couldn’t accomplish an assigned task?
A) Never do that! Find a way to do it. Find someone who can if you can’t solve the problem you get confronted with. Never lie on your resume. Be Honest! Look into it. They rely on you to get the job done.
Q) Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting out?
A) Get as many internships as you can from people you respect and have much experience on set. You learn by doing.
Interview with Stephens – Denver, CO – September 10
How can you briefly define your job to me?
I basically handle all of the project – I do it all, from designing to producing. Some of the major things I’ve been involved in are print ads all around the Denver area. I also kind of cover all of the little details such as editing the work and putting it all together at the end…like I said, beginning to end.
2. How did you get started in this business?
Well I actually went to school at Mississippi State for marketing and ended up leaving to work in Savannah. I didn’t jump into producing design and photography until the past couple of years. It just sort of fell into my lap – things I love to do meshed well with things that I was good at and there you go!
How do you tell someone over you that you couldn’t accomplish an assigned task?
(She laughed when I asked this question) That’s really not an option in this business. It’s all about deadlines – especially when they’re expecting to go to print, press, or air on a certain date – I mean it has to be ready at that point, it’s not like you can turn it in a week late for 5 points off. It’s got to be done when you tell them it’ll be done.
Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting out?
Well since I entered the field pretty much by networking I would suggest that you stay in contact with as many people as possible. Don’t be afraid to make connections and call people up – just like you called me.
1)Leif manages a small business that was started in 2004. He works hand and hand with the local college in the school of visual art design.His business started in 2004 on the production of the feature film Secret of the Cave.Now he works on short films, documentaries, small projects, writing contracts, and proposals for clients.
2)He started out in this business by being a graphic designer and just got really interested in the field. Then he started interning on as many film projects that he could get in to and this led to his production agency.
3)He said there were two aspects to not completing a task and that is the business side and the money side. He would try to compromise with the person on how to accomplish the task in a different way and if it could not work, than he would simply say that his business could do it but with more time or more money which ever is needed.
4)The advice he had for me is to really do everything you can to get onto as many film sets and projects as possible. Intern and make connections with everyone, become their new best friends and this helps when they are looking for new employment or extra help.
Currently I work as a Production Assistant in Cincinnati on the MTV set of “Taking the Stage”.A PAs’ tasks are often very miscellaneous, but require a lot of hard work. On a daily basis, I could do anything from picking up garbage on the set to getting coffee and lunch orders for my managers. I also help with the shows release by getting release forms signed. On the set, the whole crew uses “walkies”, which is especially very important in my role as a PA. We do a lot of communicating with our managers on them. Throughout the day we get many requests over the “walkies” and it might be from someone we’ve never met, but as PAs we do whatever we’re asked! Recently, I was also named a story assistant on the set and with that title I help write the story line of the episodes.
How did you get started in the business?
I am actually a teacher, but while I was in school I decided I wanted some part time work to make some extra money. My father works as a Director of Photography in the business and convinced me to get involved in production. He helped put my name out there and get in contact with other professionals in the field. The production industry is flexible enough that I am able to accept or deny projects and I am able to choose my own hours according to my schedule. I’ve been working in the industry for a little over a year and I absolutely love it despite the very long hours!
How do you tell someone over you that you couldn’t accomplish an assigned task?
Like I said before, as a PA you do whatever it takes to get your work finished. Our managers tell us, “Do whatever it takes to get it done, even if that means doing something ‘illegal’, just don’t tell us!” So, usually I follow that order and complete all of my assigned work! The only tasks I’ve had issues completing are having release forms signed by anyone who appears on the show. In that case, I first call other production assistants to see if they are able to help out and get it signed. On a very rare occasion if I still can’t get the release form signed then I will notify my production manager and ask what I should do next time or if there’s a better way I can accomplish the task.
Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting out?
I would tell anyone to get him or herself out there. Everything helps and nothing can hurt. Have your name and information posted to websites or passed along through people in the field. Be over-eager too. The lazy people who stand around are the ones that get let go and don’t make it in the business. Be willing to help out with anything and put yourself out there to do more than your asked. Do whatever it takes and don’t give up!
Barklage-Dietrich, Jennifer
Production Assistant/Release Coordinator
7977 Bearcreek Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45249
(513) 675-2792
jenniferldietrich@gmail.com
Credits: MTV "Taking the Stage" Season 1 January 2009-May 2009 Story Assistant MTV "Taking the Stage" Pilot 2 October 2008-December 2008
Spirit Productions, LLC Elizabeth Gaylynn Baker 10 Rudy Rodriguez Dr. Santa Fe, NM 87508 Primary: 505-216-5140 E-mail: goodfilms11@gmail.com Cellular: 505-920-2015 Website: www.spiritpro.net Credits: WHEN BUFFALO ROAM, Winner of the NY Int'l Film and Video Festivas; THE TRAIL OF PAINTED PONIES, Winner of White Sands Film Festival and Best Woman Director. Other credits and letters of references: www.spiritpro.net
After numerous emails and calls to different producers, one finally answered and this is what i got from her. I talked with Ms. Elizabeth Baker and tried asking her a couple of questions. To which she said she couldn't answer because she didn't know who i was. I explained that i was a University of South Carolina student who was interested in becoming a producer. After numerous attempts to get her to answer my questions, i finally took the hint that she wasn't going to answer them. She did give me some information on how she got started and things she has done to improve the film industry in not only New Mexico, but the rest of the United States as well.
She moved to New Mexico a little of 20 years ago and has been producing films ever since.
When she moved out to New Mexico, she had one thing on her mind; making films. She also liked the producing aspect as well and ended up landing a production assistant job. From their she had to learn the ropes of a set on her on from odd jobs worked on the set. From there, she got a directing assistant job and worked her way up to becoming a producer. There was not the elaborate incentive plan that they have today. It was still a struggling film state just like every other state in the nation.
Not only did she help get the film incentives started in New Mexico, she also started a program that teaches you the ropes of being on a set, managing a set, and offers hands on practice, lessons, and tutorials on the "works" of working on a set.
The website is www.filmapprentice.org and it is a nonprofit organization that teaches you safety on the set as well as protocol.
She told me if i had any further questions to consult the website and it would tell me all i needed to know. I admire her enthusiasm to get this project started and teach kids, through apprenticeship, the ropes of filmmaking and working in film.
