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!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
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!
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!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Assignment 1 & War Stories Assignment: Tony Kowalski
Paul Graham
Director/Manager
Fishco Management
Columbia, SC
1. Can you briefly define your job to me?
I represent and manage both athletes and entertainers. I represent these artists both exclusively and non-exclusively. Our company also manages and consults groups for major events such as golf tournaments and large banquets.
2. How did you get started in the business?
I had just graduated from the University of South Carolina and was teaching at a local Columbia school when a good friend of mine, Darius Rucker, asked me if I wanted to manage Hootie and the Blowfish on their first concert tour. I was Hootie and the Blowfish's tour manager for over 13 years and have been working with Fishco Management ever since.
3. How do you tell someone over you (your boss) that you can't complete an assigned task?
That can not happen. You have to get it done. If you can not get it done or something goes wrong when trying to complete an assigned task, you have to be honest with your boss on what the situation is. You then have to spend time on solving the problem rather than spending time on what and why it went wrong.
4. Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting out?
Use and learn from every experience possible. Use your tools and resources around especially today because there are so many. Read the internet and magazines about your field of work. Be willing and ready to do whatever, whenever. Take internship opportunities even if it is not what you want to end up doing.
1. In your job, what are some challenges you have to deal with in relating to "production" people?
One challenge is dealing with the artistic differences between the production people and their artistic minds and the artists themselves and what they are trying to get across. Another challenge is making sure the production people are organized and staying on task.
2. Can you tell me a war story, or a story when something went badly wrong?
Yes. While I was tour managing for Hootie and the Blowfish, we were set to play a show in Manilla in the Phillipines at the same venue as the "Thrilla in Manilla" (Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier). We had just arrived from Asia and all of our gear had been lost during travel. Thirty minutes before the doors open our gear arrives. The next two hours were chaos. Everyone was running around from the stage to the trucks unloading, setting up, and tuning all of the gear. In the end the show had to go on and ended up being a really incredible show.
3. Do you have any advice for a person starting out in the business, someone who is about to graduate?
Be prepared to do whatever whenever to get things done. Be ready to struggle to make your name in the business. Defineately be prepared to be poor for a long time.
Director/Manager
Fishco Management
Columbia, SC
1. Can you briefly define your job to me?
I represent and manage both athletes and entertainers. I represent these artists both exclusively and non-exclusively. Our company also manages and consults groups for major events such as golf tournaments and large banquets.
2. How did you get started in the business?
I had just graduated from the University of South Carolina and was teaching at a local Columbia school when a good friend of mine, Darius Rucker, asked me if I wanted to manage Hootie and the Blowfish on their first concert tour. I was Hootie and the Blowfish's tour manager for over 13 years and have been working with Fishco Management ever since.
3. How do you tell someone over you (your boss) that you can't complete an assigned task?
That can not happen. You have to get it done. If you can not get it done or something goes wrong when trying to complete an assigned task, you have to be honest with your boss on what the situation is. You then have to spend time on solving the problem rather than spending time on what and why it went wrong.
4. Do you have any advice for a media student who is just starting out?
Use and learn from every experience possible. Use your tools and resources around especially today because there are so many. Read the internet and magazines about your field of work. Be willing and ready to do whatever, whenever. Take internship opportunities even if it is not what you want to end up doing.
1. In your job, what are some challenges you have to deal with in relating to "production" people?
One challenge is dealing with the artistic differences between the production people and their artistic minds and the artists themselves and what they are trying to get across. Another challenge is making sure the production people are organized and staying on task.
2. Can you tell me a war story, or a story when something went badly wrong?
Yes. While I was tour managing for Hootie and the Blowfish, we were set to play a show in Manilla in the Phillipines at the same venue as the "Thrilla in Manilla" (Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier). We had just arrived from Asia and all of our gear had been lost during travel. Thirty minutes before the doors open our gear arrives. The next two hours were chaos. Everyone was running around from the stage to the trucks unloading, setting up, and tuning all of the gear. In the end the show had to go on and ended up being a really incredible show.
3. Do you have any advice for a person starting out in the business, someone who is about to graduate?
Be prepared to do whatever whenever to get things done. Be ready to struggle to make your name in the business. Defineately be prepared to be poor for a long time.
Monday, May 4, 2009
War Stories
Jamey Rogers - Recording Engineer
South Carolina
1. In your job, what are some challenges you have to deal with in relating to “production” people (they will likely know exactly what you mean, production refers to producers, location people, coordinators, assistant directors and pa’s). Another way of asking this is to question how a production person can best help facilitate this person’s job.
Creative differences. In most cases I am the producer. People don’t seem to see eye to eye often and that’s tough to get around, but it usually works out in the end.
2. Can you tell me a war story, or a story of when something went badly wrong, or seemed like it was going to fall apart, but then ended up working out [or didn’t work out]. If the story relates to producing or locations, that is terrific.
I was doing a record for a band bout a year ago and from beginning it seemed to be plagued with conflicting opinions causing three days of turmoil between band members and myself. One of the guitar players wanted to change things constantly on the spot and it looked like I was going to have to shut down the whole deal, but it pulled together last minute after they made some compromises. I wasn’t very satisfied with the final product and wasn’t able to do some things the way I envisioned it, but it worked out
3. Do you have any advice for a person starting out in the business, someone who is about to graduate?
Internships. Get one with someone who knows what they’re doing. What you learn in school is basic and knowledgeable, but not like the real world. Also, once you start working, never work for free. Always keep up with technology and never stop learning because it’s a constant battle between you and the next guy.
South Carolina
1. In your job, what are some challenges you have to deal with in relating to “production” people (they will likely know exactly what you mean, production refers to producers, location people, coordinators, assistant directors and pa’s). Another way of asking this is to question how a production person can best help facilitate this person’s job.
Creative differences. In most cases I am the producer. People don’t seem to see eye to eye often and that’s tough to get around, but it usually works out in the end.
2. Can you tell me a war story, or a story of when something went badly wrong, or seemed like it was going to fall apart, but then ended up working out [or didn’t work out]. If the story relates to producing or locations, that is terrific.
I was doing a record for a band bout a year ago and from beginning it seemed to be plagued with conflicting opinions causing three days of turmoil between band members and myself. One of the guitar players wanted to change things constantly on the spot and it looked like I was going to have to shut down the whole deal, but it pulled together last minute after they made some compromises. I wasn’t very satisfied with the final product and wasn’t able to do some things the way I envisioned it, but it worked out
3. Do you have any advice for a person starting out in the business, someone who is about to graduate?
Internships. Get one with someone who knows what they’re doing. What you learn in school is basic and knowledgeable, but not like the real world. Also, once you start working, never work for free. Always keep up with technology and never stop learning because it’s a constant battle between you and the next guy.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Interview Number 2 Ryan Phillips
David Rumble-Location Manager
Michigan
I am a location manager so I really have a big job in that i facilitate all the departments. I have to make sure that hair and make up have a place to set up, parking is available, everyone being safe, and pretty much anything else under the sun that you can imagine.I think the most important challenge is to make sure all lines of communication are open all the time. If this does not happen then things can go bad really fast. If you communicate with everyone and keep a loud voice then things will run smoothly.
Can you tell me a war story, or a story of when something went badly wrong, or seemed like it was going to fall apart, but then ended up working out [or didn’t work out].
Yes, the last movie i worked on ran very low on money and needed to be shot in downtown Detroit for two days at the cost of 24,000. The producer came to me and said he wanted it cheaper in which case i replied that it was impossible to do because they only had 2500 so things were real bad. It was 6 days until the shoot and we needed a elegant boardroom and a downtown Detroit looking street. I was freaking out with nowhere to shoot, and then I found this amazing public library. It was just what we wanted, and we got them sign off on it (side note: make sure whoever signs the paper work is high enough in position to do so. In the past I have had someone sign papers who was not aloud to, and that can get bad fast) Anyway everything turned out good and the shoot went very well. I have also had bomb threats happen down the road from where we had been shooting, and we had to call the news to make them get there choppers out of the sky. Crazy crazy stuff....
Do you have any advice for a person starting out in the business, someone who is about to graduate?
You just have to keep bugging people, and be really really aggressive. Make sure people know who you are so they can match your face with your resume. Its also very important to look very busy on the job you are working on even if you are not because people will remember you for this.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Lindsey, War Stories
Nikki Hanger
1230 Windsor Avenue
Richmond, VA 23227
In your job, what are some challenges you have to deal with in relating to “production” people?
I am a photo producer for still photographers and produce advertising campaigns. My job consists of creating estimates, handling the budget, hiring crew, location scouting and secure all permits and locations, model casting, ordering food, signing releases, paying crew/models, and at times art direction.. so I sometimes deal with people not having things ready or in order when needed, sometimes I am the one who comes in short with not having things in on time. Meeting the needs of a photographer/director and everyone else at the same time is challenging but also part of my job I enjoy, keeps me busy and able to stay focused on the tasks at hand.
Can you tell me a war story, or a story of when something went badly wrong, or seemed like it was going to fall apart, but then ended up working out [or didn’t work out].
I can think of my one and only nightmare.. for a photo shoot. I managed to tell the entire crew the wrong time for the next day's shoot, since there had been a change, and the photographer the right time, so the photographer showed up but no one else did. It was awful, I could not believe I didn't lose my job on that one. I have quite the backbone so being yelled at was easy for me but I didn't hear the end of it for quite awhile and the photographer happened to be a friend of mine, but was not happy with me.
Do you have any advice for a person starting out in the business, someone who is about to graduate?
I worked for multiple photographers as a studio manager and learned all aspects of the business. Once I went out on my own as a photo editor/retoucher there was still time and money to be made. In order to get involved in this business I would intern during college and then find a employer that is willing to pay and teach. Learning on the job to see what aspects of the business you like and dont like is really important
This is not something I have always wanted to do, I did not even know about producing until I actually had my first producing job. I just fell into it but realized that with my photo background and my attention to detail, it is a perfect match. I also did not know that ad agencies have producers on staff. Other places, like NY and LA use a producer for all their assignments, but areas like Richmond the market and budget is so low that it is a hard job to get.
Producing for commercials and movies is a different market and more money.
1230 Windsor Avenue
Richmond, VA 23227
In your job, what are some challenges you have to deal with in relating to “production” people?
I am a photo producer for still photographers and produce advertising campaigns. My job consists of creating estimates, handling the budget, hiring crew, location scouting and secure all permits and locations, model casting, ordering food, signing releases, paying crew/models, and at times art direction.. so I sometimes deal with people not having things ready or in order when needed, sometimes I am the one who comes in short with not having things in on time. Meeting the needs of a photographer/director and everyone else at the same time is challenging but also part of my job I enjoy, keeps me busy and able to stay focused on the tasks at hand.
Can you tell me a war story, or a story of when something went badly wrong, or seemed like it was going to fall apart, but then ended up working out [or didn’t work out].
I can think of my one and only nightmare.. for a photo shoot. I managed to tell the entire crew the wrong time for the next day's shoot, since there had been a change, and the photographer the right time, so the photographer showed up but no one else did. It was awful, I could not believe I didn't lose my job on that one. I have quite the backbone so being yelled at was easy for me but I didn't hear the end of it for quite awhile and the photographer happened to be a friend of mine, but was not happy with me.
Do you have any advice for a person starting out in the business, someone who is about to graduate?
I worked for multiple photographers as a studio manager and learned all aspects of the business. Once I went out on my own as a photo editor/retoucher there was still time and money to be made. In order to get involved in this business I would intern during college and then find a employer that is willing to pay and teach. Learning on the job to see what aspects of the business you like and dont like is really important
This is not something I have always wanted to do, I did not even know about producing until I actually had my first producing job. I just fell into it but realized that with my photo background and my attention to detail, it is a perfect match. I also did not know that ad agencies have producers on staff. Other places, like NY and LA use a producer for all their assignments, but areas like Richmond the market and budget is so low that it is a hard job to get.
Producing for commercials and movies is a different market and more money.
Gilson War Stories
The person I contacted is a music producer in Nashville that would like to remain anonymous.
1. In your job, what are some challenges you have to deal with in relating to "production" people? In your case I suppose that production people would be like A&R, Label execs, studio heads, engineers, that sort of thing.
A key challenge is maintaining a label's interest midway through a project. They will always ask you for advance samples of rough mixes and other unfinished works-in-progress. Avoid giving these out at all costs, especially when they say "I know the difference between a rough and a final mix." Play them something ONLY when it is ready, unless you really trust their ears.
2. Can you tell me a war story, or a story of when something went badly wrong or seemed like it was all going to fall apart but then came together at the end [or didn't]?
Once I flew a very famous musician all the way from Lagos, Nigeria -- where he lived -- to Nashville to play on a record. At the studio, just twenty minutes before the start of the session, he said to me, "Did I tell you I only play in key of G?" My heart nearly stopped, because "no" he hadn't told me this.
So I took a deep breath and thought....how can we work with this? The song we were doing was in the key of "B." I went to the singer and asked if she could possibly move the song up one half step to the key of "C" and still song well. Luckily, she was fine with this plan, so I went back to the musician and said, "just play in the key of G (which is the dominant chord in the key of C) and everything will be fine. Just play what you feel!" The track worked out beautifully and his part was written about extensively in the critical press. More importantly, I didn't have to explain to the label how I failed to record this musician after paying $1,000 in airfare to bring him to Nashville from Lagos!
3. Any advice for a person who's just starting out, someone who is about to graduate?
An internship is a great way to break in!
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