tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post113855309071340829..comments2023-05-09T02:18:25.163-07:00Comments on Totally Unauthorized: Call for gripes!Peggy Archerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598832247759626070noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1145666268155806272006-04-21T17:37:00.000-07:002006-04-21T17:37:00.000-07:00As a grip, I'd just like to reiderate something th...As a grip, I'd just like to reiderate something that has been mentioned already. When you see me carrying a sky-high on my shoulder, please move out of the way. Don't expect me to leap around you with cat-like reflexes just because you're 'talent'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1140308632554942612006-02-18T16:23:00.000-08:002006-02-18T16:23:00.000-08:00late to post like Deamon at Hollywood Park:*If you...late to post like Deamon at Hollywood Park:<BR/>*If you bring wardrobe, bring it clean and ready to wear,<BR/>*Courtesy, courtesy and did I mention courtesy to ALL<BR/>working bodies on the set.<BR/>*Do not eat at the craft table, walk away with your snack and give others a chance at the table.<BR/>*Don't take half of a bagel, dough-nut etc. No one wants the half you left.<BR/>(anon1)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1139375689674415512006-02-07T21:14:00.000-08:002006-02-07T21:14:00.000-08:00Cecily gets the last word. No more flames, please....Cecily gets the last word. <BR/><BR/>No more flames, please. <BR/><BR/>Thanks again to everyone for contributing!Peggy Archerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17598832247759626070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1139365849201932842006-02-07T18:30:00.000-08:002006-02-07T18:30:00.000-08:00Hmmmmm.... hard not to respond to a "WE MAKE YOU"...Hmmmmm.... hard not to respond to a "WE MAKE YOU" rant about the actors. I love this blog because I love crew work, but at different times of my life, I've been on both sides of the camera. <BR/><BR/>Nobody works harder or with more professional skill than a good hollywood crew. In every craft, time and time again, I see excellence and artistry and a make it happen attitude that is unsurpassed in any business.<BR/><BR/>And actors are often insecure, sometimes neurotic, and even the best will miss their marks, whisper when you expect them to shout, and screw up lines.<BR/><BR/>But without them, my hostile friend, it is you who might well be stuck working at KFC. People have gathered to look at and listen to actors for thousands of years -- all without film crews. And while I might, most normal people do not marvel at smooth audio levels, perfectly-pulled focus or unwrinkled props.<BR/><BR/>Stars live in a crucible of performance anxiety, ass-kissing yes men, financial excess and grotesque invasions of privacy. And yes, plenty grow into full-on assholes. <BR/><BR/>But most don't. Your average working stiff actor on a set is a hard-working craftsperson like the rest of us. They've studied, honed skills, paid dues -- and often -- worked longer and harder with little or no payback just to get there. <BR/><BR/>They defied a profession with endless unemployment and insecurities to land those few days or weeks on a set. And many of them have paid emotional dues you and I could never afford. <BR/><BR/>So yes actors, hit your marks. But also be dangerous and surprising. And yes, keep your volume even. But also wow us with raw human emotion. And remember your lines. But also be completely caught up in the character and the situation so that you never sound rehearsed. <BR/><BR/>It's EASY. Anybody could do it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1139005709746272802006-02-03T14:28:00.000-08:002006-02-03T14:28:00.000-08:00I love that the actors are posting anonymously. "B...I love that the actors are posting anonymously. "Beware the tail wagging the dog" - hilarious. If one of them ever did a hard day's work in their lives...oh, I'm sorry, that'll never happen. Look, there may be some better than others,and some that can't, but overall acting is EASY. Look at Soderberghs new film, hired a KFC manager as his lead, and she's gotten great reviews. Get this straight - you should kiss the crew's ass because WE MAKE YOU. Without the crew you'd be working in a KFC waiting to be "discovered". Or you'd be on the set,alone, and the camera would be laying on the floor on it's side, empty of film. I don't hate actors, just the one's that think they are doing something important or difficult. In Hollywood particularly, if you want to be a big-name actor you need to be: 1. connected ( know someone or sleeping with someone or have pictures of someone in a compromising situation) 2. good looking 3. gay,scientologist,or jewish (combos even better)4.able to barely remember your lines 5.be able to give great schmooze. Now there are a lot of people who use hard work and talent, but sadly they are by far the minority. End of Rant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138936725593996652006-02-02T19:18:00.000-08:002006-02-02T19:18:00.000-08:00Have you ever watched a movie and remarked, my God...<I>Have you ever watched a movie and remarked, my God those actors were so wonderfully consistent in their marks and did you notice how well they matched their movements from wide-angle to close-up?</I><BR/><BR/>Why yes! That's how Script Supervisors are born. Then we learn it's not so easy and get over it.... sort of... sometimes. ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138893886043146112006-02-02T07:24:00.000-08:002006-02-02T07:24:00.000-08:00Have you ever watched a movie and remarked, my God...Have you ever watched a movie and remarked, my God those actors were so wonderfully consistent in their marks and did you notice how well they matched their movements from wide-angle to close-up? I guarantee the boom guy loved working that show!<BR/><BR/>Let's beware the tail wagging the dog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138923887670480142006-02-02T15:44:00.000-08:002006-02-02T15:44:00.000-08:00Hmm... I'm in tech support, but my recommendation...Hmm... I'm in tech support, but my recommendation is pretty universal: if you want something, ask nicely. The "I am entitled to this 5 minutes ago and I know you won't do a good job unless I snark at you and throw my weight around" is not the way to get quality service. On the other hand, we will move heaven and earth for someone who asks nicely, waits patiently, and says thank you.Nadirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00936615877083055952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138854564990268522006-02-01T20:29:00.000-08:002006-02-01T20:29:00.000-08:00Could I just make one slight addition to RJ's grea...Could I just make one slight addition to RJ's great comment about actors hitting their marks? Yes, by all means hit the damn mark. A frame of 35mm motion picture film has the equivalent of about 30-50 million pixels and opportunities for the audience to see their favorite actors in high-definition increases exponentially every day. That mark not only represents the place where actors will be optimally lit but also where they will not be casting unwanted shadows on their co-stars. But more importantly, please don't let the camera SEE YOU LOOKING for your mark! Did you ever notice, while watching Friends, that Courtney Cox would often wander into a scene and appear to be looking down and picking a piece of imaginary lint off her sleeve? What she was really doing was looking for her mark.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138775947342282442006-01-31T22:39:00.000-08:002006-01-31T22:39:00.000-08:00WOW I learn such good stuff on this blog! RJ's bre...WOW I learn such good stuff on this blog! RJ's breakdown on hitting marks really hit home. I will be such the better actor to work with and crew member from reading these comments. Knowledge truly is power.GermanChocolateGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16847823796064955981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138770308643321522006-01-31T21:05:00.000-08:002006-01-31T21:05:00.000-08:00Thank you all so much for the input!Thank you all so much for the input!Peggy Archerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17598832247759626070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138766215392351012006-01-31T19:56:00.000-08:002006-01-31T19:56:00.000-08:00Cary Ewels, Mel Gibson, Halle Berry Jaimie Foxx, J...Cary Ewels, Mel Gibson, Halle Berry Jaimie Foxx, Jason Lee, Holly Hunter, Drew Berrymore Lucy Liu, Ethan Hawk , Denzel Washington and Cameron Diaz Thanks for treating us like humans and taking the time to stop and chat you are on my list as crew friendlyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138766681069988172006-01-31T20:04:00.000-08:002006-01-31T20:04:00.000-08:00A few years ago I worked with a script supervisor/...A few years ago I worked with a script supervisor/continuity person named Rick Bernagozzi. He was great and I referred to him as my script girl. Sorry if you took offense. None was intended.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138745333619654172006-01-31T14:08:00.000-08:002006-01-31T14:08:00.000-08:001. Don't spend all day on set between shots with y...1. Don't spend all day on set between shots with your personal assistant trying to organise the most exotic (and expensive) holiday unless you're planning on taing the crew with you!<BR/>2. Don't treat your assistant like shit.<BR/>3. If you must change your travel plans 100 times at least be polite to the production coordinator so he/she won't order you a dodgy meal on the airline.<BR/>4. DO thank the crew at the end of the day - but don't be over the top about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138753752950509282006-01-31T16:29:00.000-08:002006-01-31T16:29:00.000-08:00First to the Anonymous who posted:"...Script Girl'...First to the Anonymous who posted:<BR/>"...Script Girl's life easier nor make anyone else wealthier by kicking back a percentage of their check.<BR/>January 30, 2006 4:51 AM"<BR/><BR/>Don't call us Script Girls, we're Script Supervisors. When in the last 30+ years have you seen a credit for Script Girl. Besides some of us are men (but not me).<BR/><BR/>For the actor, please learn your lines.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138759271923346202006-01-31T18:01:00.000-08:002006-01-31T18:01:00.000-08:00Here's one from a former camera assistant. They ca...Here's one from a former camera assistant. <BR/><BR/>They can hit their marks. <BR/><BR/>Most actors don't truly understand the importance of those little colored "T's" on the floor to the crew - especially the camera crew. I shouldn't say "most" that's not fair – not by a long shot. But I have seen actors miss their marks repeatedly and I’ve literally seen them walk off the set (as in literally walking off the set (as opposed to storming off the set)) because they were “in the moment.” I can understand that, I have studied acting myself and have directed actors so I understand the craft and I understand the moments that happen and how important those moments can be, but I also understand that if they don’t happen on-camera, then they night as well happen in your bathroom at home.<BR/><BR/>There are multiple reasons we send 2nd A.C.s crawling around on their hands and knees to put those marks on the floor and only one of those is as a convenience for the actor. The DP needs them so that he knows where the actors will be once rehearsal is over and can light the set. The grips and electricians need them for the same reasons. The set dressers need them so they can dress the set appropriately and the camera crew (I’m including the dolly grip in this) needs them so they know where the actor is going to be and can get focus marks and dolly marks (if there’s a move,) and then hits those marks appropriately during an actual take. <BR/><BR/>But the one crew member who depends on those marks most is the Focus Puller, or 1st A.C. The job of the 1st A.C. is to keep the camera in focus at all times. This is complicated, primarily, by two things. One is Depth of Field and the second is that the A.C. does not actually look through the camera to determine if it’s in focus. The way it works is the A.C. must know how far the subject (actor) is from the film plane (the spot in the camera where the film passes behind the lens and is exposed – where the lens actually focuses the image.) He then turns the barrel of the lens, which is marked with distance measurements, to correspond to the subject distance. During rehearsal the A.C. can run his tape measure out to the marks on the floor and find out exactly what that distance is. Then, during the shot, provided the actor is on those marks, the process is simple. When the actor (or the dolly) misses it’s mark, the A.C. then has to guess what the new distance is. <BR/><BR/>This is where Depth of Field comes in. Depth of Field is a space in front of the camera that is in focus at any given time. In other words, if the subject is 10 feet away from the camera and the lens is wide enough, the subject can move maybe 10 feet forward or backward (I’m guessing here, I don’t have my Kelly Wheel (a depth of field calculator) out) and still remain in focus without the lens focus changing. The trick is that there are things that can make that depth shrink. They are: less light, a longer lens or a closer subject. A longer lens is generally what we contend with so I’ll use that as an example. If we shoot on a 20mm lens at T11 (T stops are talked about on film sets as opposed to F Stops, but that’s a subject for another day) which is a lot of light, then there’s focus for miles (as we say) but if we shoot with a 150mm at a T2, which is very low light then the focal depth could literally be 1/2 an inch. That means that if they actor is 1/2 an inch off his mark and the A.C. doesn’t see it, he’s going to be out of focus. If you’ve ever seen shots where the actor’s eyes are in focus and his ears are out of focus, or if he’s 3/4 to camera and one eye is in focus and the other is out of focus that’s a great example of what I’m talking about. In that case, if he’s 2 feet off his mark and the A.C. guesses wrong, it could look like he’s under water. Now – of course it’s the A.C.s job to guess right and there are a lot of A.C.s that are very good at doing that, but when an actor perpetually misses/ ignores his marks, it’s extremely tough on the A.C. <BR/><BR/>Now I’m not writing this to suggest that actors should be robots, shuffling back and forth to exact pin-points on the floor, but it is something that I’ve found most actors are unaware of. I worked, as an A.C., with one actor, who was a great guy and a great actor, who would rehearse a scene one way then when we shot he’d always do something totally different. It threw me off at first, but once I realized that he was doing it, and did the same thing consistently, I was able to adapt and expect it. One afternoon we were waiting for something on set and he asked about what I was doing. When I explained it to him (and mentioned what he did) he was stunned. First, he had no idea that he was doing what he was doing – and second, he’d never had anyone explain to him what an A.C. was really doing. He swore to me from that moment on he was going to hit his marks if it killed him. He never did, it didn’t and I kept him in focus. But at least he knew.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.grandeconcarne.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow"> My Blog</A>Rogerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627941565967196246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138681101174249042006-01-30T20:18:00.000-08:002006-01-30T20:18:00.000-08:00Well, you can always leave the dead hooker in the ...Well, you can always leave the dead hooker in the trunk of the camera car. I'm sure transpo would love that...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138648551086556372006-01-30T11:15:00.000-08:002006-01-30T11:15:00.000-08:00A note from the last part of the process, The Soun...A note from the last part of the process, The <BR/>Sound Editor:<BR/><BR/>If you shot your scene under the flight path at LAX then, 'No, we can't fix it in the mix.' Next time, bitch at the producer for not taking the sound guy on the location scout.<BR/><BR/>If you gotta do loops, just do it, fer Christ's sake! Don't throw a tantrum when it gets hard, don't get mad at the A.D.R. (loop) editor, just show up on time, just try and remember that we want your performance to be as good as it can be, too.<BR/><BR/>We might ask for a few vocalizations (grunts, breaths, etc.) Trust me, that's great stuff that almost always gets into the final mix. So, yeah, we would like to get that stuff and yeah, we think it's necessary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138648891383456332006-01-30T11:21:00.000-08:002006-01-30T11:21:00.000-08:00Please tell the actors they can't leave their dead...Please tell the actors they can't leave their dead hooker at my house anymore. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138593279615731152006-01-29T19:54:00.000-08:002006-01-29T19:54:00.000-08:00Coming from an actor who has done basic PA work on...Coming from an actor who has done basic PA work on very very very small productions . . . ;) -- <BR/><BR/>Be aware that every person on the crew has a harder job than you do. For every length of time that you actually are working on a take, the crew has spent WAY longer breaking down the last shot and setting this one up. So if you're tired, suck it up. They stayed later last night and are carrying stuff around all day; they're more tired than you. If you're hungover, REALLY suck it up, because no one wants to hear it, and it's your own fault you're hungover anyway. And if you see a crew member coming toward you carrying something, GET OUT OF THE WAY. Don't expect that they should have to go around YOU. <BR/><BR/>And a special word about makeup and hair: STOP MOVING! Don't make the poor beauty people have to use sneak attacks to get your mascara on and the pins into your hair! For cryin' out loud . . . :PAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138595263405371202006-01-29T20:27:00.000-08:002006-01-29T20:27:00.000-08:001. Don't eat or drink the props when the camera is...1. Don't eat or drink the props when the camera isn't rolling.<BR/>2. Don't mangle the props if it's not called for in the scene. (i.e. crumple up the hero paperwork cuz you're nervous)<BR/>3. Don't leave for the day with my Rolex even if it is fake.<BR/>4. DON'T PLAY WITH THE GUN!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138597915315131032006-01-29T21:11:00.000-08:002006-01-29T21:11:00.000-08:00I'm a music supervisor and I often have to line up...I'm a music supervisor and I often have to line up coaches for actors that have to play or sing in a scene. Actors: please take this seriously - don't either assume that it's a joke just because it's something you have to do that's non-verbal, or shine it on figuring that I can always replace your hands on the keyboard/voice track/fingers on the bow, whatever; or keep reminding me that you were in a band in high school and so leave all the work 'till the night before filming and do a bad job at something you're trying to convince me you're really good at. I think all the comments are saying the same basic thing: let us do our jobs so that we can make you look good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138625519419741702006-01-30T04:51:00.000-08:002006-01-30T04:51:00.000-08:00Don't be late.Don't chew gum.Stay out of the way w...Don't be late.<BR/>Don't chew gum.<BR/>Stay out of the way when not needed but be near and don't hold camera. (If it's ready, you should be!)<BR/>Be prepared.<BR/>Don't try and get first team fired because you're having a bad day.<BR/><BR/>But...<BR/>The actor's there to give a performance, not make the boom guy's/A.C.'s/Script Girl's life easier nor make anyone else wealthier by kicking back a percentage of their check.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138588424951900482006-01-29T18:33:00.000-08:002006-01-29T18:33:00.000-08:00as a boomie, I LOVE actors who are able to do the ...as a boomie, I LOVE actors who are able to do the following:<BR/><BR/>1) give a somewhat similar voice level during the final rehearsal (so the mixer can set his levels)<BR/><BR/>2) try and match head-turns and marks each take, or let us know if there's something that's going to be wildly different (can't capture a performance that you don't know is happening)<BR/><BR/>3) try to limit the amount of YELLING/whispering in a single take (it's almost impossible for the equipment to handle, and they'll most likely need to ADR it - then blame us.)<BR/><BR/>4) remember that the body mics (usually on a radio) are LIVE when we put them on, please keep discussion, and personal comments about the higher-ups for when they're NOT going to hear them throught the head-sets.<BR/><BR/>I know that it's a fairly long list, but seriously, the actors I cherish the most are the ones who remember that we're there to capture their performances, and help us to achieve that goal as easily as possible.<BR/><BR/>thanks for the space to rant<BR/><BR/>Ian<BR/>www.thompsound.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9462117.post-1138557204950903612006-01-29T09:53:00.000-08:002006-01-29T09:53:00.000-08:00They should give back ten percent of their salary ...They should give back ten percent of their salary to the crew for everything they make over a million dollars. And they should have to make a public statement that they realize that movies cost so much because of above the line costs and that they support the crews who are just trying to make a decent living doing something they love. They could also make it a point to keep as much work in Southern California as possible. And some of them could treat us like we are actually human beings.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12591496398052122681noreply@blogger.com