Comments for The Anonymous Production Assistant's Blog

Comment on Ah, My Younger Days… by Nathan

Nathan — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:25:44 +0000

You’re not as alone as you think. Charlton Heston, in an act of unique foresight, mailed in his absentee ballots to cover every election through 2032.

(And I had bad Profs too.)

Comment on Learning Experiences by Ah, My Younger Days… « The Anonymous Production Assistant’s Blog

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:17:04 +0000

[...] Front Page ← Learning Experiences [...]

Comment on Weekend Viewing by Nathan

Nathan — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:52:04 +0000

::Follows Instructions::

OK, I won’t tell you the real story because yours is better.

Comment on Learning Experiences by Annamaria

Annamaria — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:29:48 +0000

As an aspiring producer I’m surprised you DON’T find it more interesting.

Yes, I, like Dawn, am in film school and what we are taught and experience a producer to be is not the reality. Sure, there are more business and physical production oriented producers, and often time when dealing with an acclaimed and talented writer/director, it’s good to leave them to their own devices.

But there is a whole other aspect of producing, in particular the aspect I hope to be doing some day, and that is the creative. It’s necessary to have a creative force behind the entire project that; while protecting the writer/director to maintain his artistic vision and from outside forces trying to make the most generic film out there in order to bring in the money, it’s also important that they have a trusted outside perspective on their work. As a writer, you know how helpful notes can be, and while no one wants to hear them, everyone needs them. Good creative producers are the ones that are giving the notes that challenge you in a good way by making you think of something new, something deeper, a different way to achieve an outcome. They have relationships with talented professionals that they can bring to your project. They oversee everything, and at the end of the day they take home the Oscar for Best Picture.

It’s not just about working out the budgets and making the schedule and finding financing and distribution and filling out paperwork. There’s a whole other aspect that I wish people would consider and appreciate. I mean, at the birth of cinema, directors were treated like TV directors of today, where you just come in and set up the shots and work with actors, while the producer was the celebrity and creative force, in essence a showrunner. Wish we could find a healthy balance between that and today’s auteurs.

Comment on What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up? by Learning Experiences « The Anonymous Production Assistant’s Blog

Learning Experiences « The Anonymous Production Assistant’s Blog — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:58:21 +0000

[...] you see, Dawn, there’s a very good reason why I don’t want to be a coordinator, UPM, or anything [...]

Comment on What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up? by Nathan

Nathan — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:22:21 +0000

Dawn,

Don’t worry about it. A few short years from now, when Anonymous is a hugely successful writer, the A.D. will send him yesterday’s call sheet; the Location Manager will send him next Tuesday’s directions to set; and the Accountant will get all kinds of creative with his check.

(I kid)

Comment on Sneak Preview by Weekend Viewing « The Anonymous Production Assistant’s Blog

Weekend Viewing « The Anonymous Production Assistant’s Blog — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:12:25 +0000

[...] 21, 2008 · No Comments Unlike most people, I didn’t go to Dark Knight this weekend. I’ve already seen it on a regular screen, and all the Imax screenings were sold [...]

Comment on Naming Names by Danny

Danny — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:19:04 +0000

Ha, dude, this is a funny blog.

Comment on What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up? by Dawn

Dawn — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:49:46 +0000

Hi, I’ve recently found your blog and thought it was great fun to read. Until this entry! I’m a tad insulted… so I wanted to respond.
I do think most people who end up UPMing or ADing do fall into it - but is that not the case of most jobs in the film industry? Do people aspire to be lifelong key grips?
I feel like there are the more “glamorous” jobs in the industry - writing, directing, writing AND directing, producing, acting, etc. etc. - but in truth not manly people are gonna get to those places. Instead they’ll fall into something they’re good at and enjoy to whatever extent.
For me, I actually am looking forward to a career as a UPM. I love film and television, and I want to be involved in the making of them. As a film student, I’ve tried out various positions. I’ve made my own films. Some of them have sucked, some of them I’ve been pretty proud of. But in no way would I want to be a writer or a director. Instead, I’d rather use things I know I’m good at - being on top of things, organized, delegating and supervising - to eventually become a UPM.
And you know what? I may find a position along the way that I enjoy and fall into doing that instead. And I’m fine with that!

Keep writing, this is a great blog :)

Comment on What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up? by Nathan

Nathan — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:35:21 +0000

I went to college to study film, but they never acknowledged the existence of anyone other than Directors and D.P.’s. I was working in an equipment rental house by Sophomore year, so I knew I had no interest in Grip of Electric (hot, dirty work with dirty, heavy equipment.)

My first Locations gig was when someone doing a music video (Hot, Hot, Hot by Buster Poindexter) called me to manage the locations for it. I have no idea where they got my name and I had zero experience at the time, but they were willing to pay me what I thought was an astronomical sum back then. I figured out how to do it, enjoyed it and then just kept pursuing that end of things…so yeah, I fell into it by accident. (But I’ve always liked organizing things.)