Jay Drose
Active member
Wanted to reach out to you guys to get your opinion on getting oneself working more in production (IE: 1st/2nd AD, UPM, Production Coordinating, etc.). I know the majority of Redusers are largely involved in camera department, but eager to hear from anyone who has advice on getting more experience getting and working these types of jobs.
Like much of the work in the industry, production seems very much like a Catch-22. I've been lucky enough to be able to 1st AD several short films/pilots for close contacts, the last being a well-budgeted pilot. The work is so unpredictable and rare, however, and I simply haven't been able to get the experience I desire. More importantly, I haven't been able to find something like a mentor for this kind of work.
The film industry axiom is to be P.A. and work your way up. I've P.A'ed quite a bit (some of it great, some of it not so) and its led to unsubstantial work over the years. I simply can't get my foot in the door like I want to.
The skill set of those in the Camera/G&E/Art department is very clear when on set. If you know your craft on day one, everybody can easily recognize it. The jobs of those in production are much more vague and subjective, however. It always depends on whether the person can communicate well, keep themselves organized, maintain discipline under the stress of those above, etc. These skills are much less discernible than the literalness of being able to rig an HMI correctly.
What are your thoughts/experiences? Any working, established AD's out there? As always, this community has reached to those who are able and working. Would love to hear your guys thoughts.
Like much of the work in the industry, production seems very much like a Catch-22. I've been lucky enough to be able to 1st AD several short films/pilots for close contacts, the last being a well-budgeted pilot. The work is so unpredictable and rare, however, and I simply haven't been able to get the experience I desire. More importantly, I haven't been able to find something like a mentor for this kind of work.
The film industry axiom is to be P.A. and work your way up. I've P.A'ed quite a bit (some of it great, some of it not so) and its led to unsubstantial work over the years. I simply can't get my foot in the door like I want to.
The skill set of those in the Camera/G&E/Art department is very clear when on set. If you know your craft on day one, everybody can easily recognize it. The jobs of those in production are much more vague and subjective, however. It always depends on whether the person can communicate well, keep themselves organized, maintain discipline under the stress of those above, etc. These skills are much less discernible than the literalness of being able to rig an HMI correctly.
What are your thoughts/experiences? Any working, established AD's out there? As always, this community has reached to those who are able and working. Would love to hear your guys thoughts.
