Allow me to work for you (for free)

[Drew Ott]

Beware cold nights sleeping in a car, even in the summers things can get unexpectedly cold, especially at high altitudes. You can die from the cold. Also, in a small enclosed space, portable heaters can produce harmful air after a while. You won't get much footage if you're dead.

Watch out for cops in some areas because they can hassle you for sleeping in your car. I've heard that in some places it's illegal and can get you arrested, other places it's not. Either way, the cops might take you in for questioning and they won't take good care of your gear while you're sitting in a cell for the night.

Also, it would be extremely easy for someone to follow your car once they see you packing your expensive camera gear into it. It's not a safe way to sleep. Maybe build a network of friends and relatives that will let you stay with them for a few days each.

Or, if you're going to be providing your services for free on a long shoot, maybe the people you're helping out could let you crash on their couch. Don't be a messy guest though.

Oh, one more thing... girls find it extremely unattractive when a guy sleeps in a car. You might think it presents a rugged thrifty appearance, a sort of suffering poet lifestyle and all that. But in reality, they think it's weird and it makes the guy look like a cheap-skate.

These are all legitimate concerns. I appreciate the advice. I was looking around the web trying to find which states allow sleeping in a car, and I couldn't find anything.

Sleeping on couches could be a good idea if I can find places. I've heard of that Couch Surfing website, but never looked into it. Maybe I will.

I'm not too worried about the unattractive thing. Perhaps I will bring a tent with me and tell people that I've been camping places instead of sleeping in the car. Actually, camping instead of sleeping in a car is a decent idea if the environment is suitable. I think most state and national parks have really cheap camping grounds.

 

[MikeHedge]

if you are traveling around, se if you can sync into the Filmblazer schedule. I know they are traveling making a bunch of shorts. www.filmblazer.com

 

[Vico Martin]

Drew, work for a junior money, work for less than this, but please never ever work for free.

Good luck!

 

[Yannick Hagman]

That someone wants to work for free says much about the market film biz.

 

[Stefan Christou]

Sounds like it's going to be a fantastic trip. Good luck to you Drew. America sounds like a great place sometimes

 

[Mazen Hashem]

what about keeping a gun loaded next your pillow you can borrow my little one

 

[Drew Ott]

if you are traveling around, se if you can sync into the Filmblazer schedule. I know they are traveling making a bunch of shorts. www.filmblazer.com

Pretty cool concept. Thanks.

Drew, work for a junior money, work for less than this, but please never ever work for free.

Good luck!

I understand that, but I see this as job training and as "paying my dues."

Sounds like it's going to be a fantastic trip. Good luck to you Drew. America sounds like a great place sometimes

Thanks Stefan. I think the whole world is a great place, but I have to start here in the US.

what about keeping a gun loaded next your pillow you can borrow my little one

I was thinking an RPG might be more practical.

 

[Joseph Ward]

At least ask for food and drink. :beer:

 

[Isaac Brody]

Let me know if you're coming through NYC. I'm trying to shoot some stuff this summer and I have a lot of friends who will be busy filming as well.

 

[Cory Schulthies]

I like your initiative. I wish I had a shoot planned where we could use you.

Here is a tip. Most Wal-marts welcome people sleeping overnight in their parking lots. They figure you will buy stuff there. mostly people in RVs do this. It might be kind of bright there, but with the lights, and security cameras, it may be the safest place to stay.
Where do you plan on bathing?

 

[Drew Ott]

Let me know if you're coming through NYC. I'm trying to shoot some stuff this summer and I have a lot of friends who will be busy filming as well.

Great. Will do.

I like your initiative. I wish I had a shoot planned where we could use you.

Here is a tip. Most Wal-marts welcome people sleeping overnight in their parking lots. They figure you will buy stuff there. mostly people in RVs do this. It might be kind of bright there, but with the lights, and security cameras, it may be the safest place to stay.
Where do you plan on bathing?

I've been planning on staying in Wal-Marts as a last resort if I don't manage to find somewhere else. Apparently Wal-Mart is becoming more strict on people staying overnight in their parking lots, but I imagine it's still one of the safer places to stay.