Its nearly 2008 and 2007 is now winding down. For me it's been an interesting year, I have worked on a documentary, promotional films for
marinas, car showrooms, Golf shows, Boat shows, been a lead editor for Oxfams live charity events, produced free property films to try and make the
folio larger and break into new markets, been cameraman and director of photography on several music videos for other production companies, had my
camera lens cracked while filming a corporate video for a paintball center, been involved in a partnership that went sour when they took my clients and work
and did a runner leaving me pennyless and legally not a leg to stand on, been in hospital after motor bike accident, joined the Paras, left the Paras,
yes it has been a very interesting year.
But even after all these interesting events, it's still the 3 new directors I have worked with that have been the most interesting. People will be nameless
to protect the ridicules :). The three projects I am going to talk about all involve myself being asked to d.o.p (Director of Photography) this means that
you either listen to the Director and he tells you want he wants shot, from where and how, or you read the script, discuss, and you make the decisions on
composition and framing. All 3 projects were not officially media73 projects as I was poached in, in order to help other production companies and individuals.
What struck me while working on these 3 different projects was the way all 3 new first time directors acted, all 3 were different but in many ways were very similar.
Project one : Making hollywood
I was approached to d.o.p for a film short with an existing crew that had worked together on many occasions previously. This meant I was the new kid on the block so to speak, it's always easier I find if everybody is brought in, I don't know why perhaps everybody really knuckles down more. The Director was a first timer, I have no problem with this at all, we have all been there, it's nerve wracking, as the buck stops with you, you make or break the project by simply saying, "yes" or "no". What amuses me on projects like this is.. well lets be honest it's not hollywood and the budgets are well..shall we say smaller? This does not mean their should be any less professionalism though.
No what this means is, your crew are probably getting paid peanuts, are involved because they love to create and be involved in film making, this is our own little hollywood, it's called the British film industry. This particular director didn't have a clue, he was nervous and twitchy and had a very short temper, again understandable the first few times...but why didn't this person just say " Hey I am new to this so any help would be very much appreciated " It's what the director of "withnail&I" did (cant remember his name, (best british film ever made by the way)). and the crew really respected him and helped him make the film.
As a cameraman I currently wear a baseball cap for two reasons.
1. When on a set there can be lights all over and having them shine in your face and eyes, and onto your viewfinder/monitor can be very distracting.
2. I got drunk at leeds fest and shaved my head (dam you carling!!) and now its half in and half out and not much can be done, a bb cap covers my half breed mop very nicely thank you.
I seem to remember it was day 3, of a very long shoot, 8am starts, 11.00 pm finishes then 2-3 hours watching the rushes back, when during the day the director snapped, it started when we couldnt get a complicated shot just right, this shot involved a dolly (like train tracks) to follow a couple of actors, then pan back to an action piece further away, then dolly back to original spot while moving, and so on. It was late in the day and after what felt like 8 attempts we decided to have a break. At this point somebody who was sat out of shot suggested something to help us, I cant quite remember what was said, but it was in a funny way, what came next was quite out of the blue.. "What would you know about fucking film making?? oh yes fuck all, why don't you keep your fucking mouth shut and leave it to people that do know how". I was gob smacked truly, I really couldnt see where or how this was justified, the entire crew just looked at each other and didn't really know what to say or do... best make a cuppa eh.
The thing was that everybody was being paid very little for this project, and to spoken to in that manner was really un called for, if it was me that had been spoken like that, the director would be taking suppositories to remove a camera and tripod, there is no way I would spoken to like that.
oO Things can only get better, right? Oo
Or so we thought.. After another outburst with an actor, then the producer, I got told the most amazing thing ever....." Andy can I have a word please, you see its about your appearance.. ( I was wearing, t-shirt and jeans like everyone else) ..as you probably are aware on set only the director really wears a baseball cap.. ( i was looking at him with a slight smirk at this point, as i knew he was kidding.. right?).".. so i want you to remove it please, I intend to wear mine and we cant have two people wearing bb caps on set". At this point I started laughing, and I was saying things like, yeah right what ever, very funny. As I walked away and turned around the director was still stood there with a grim look on their face, he had to be kidding right??? please god tell me he was not serious....
He was. This so called new director during a lunch break the following day, drove 30 miles, yes 30 miles to fetch said baseball cap, and the worst part about this was... are you ready....... it said bloody director on it... well after seeing this I cracked up laughing with tears in my eyes, I couldn't stop laughing for about 5 mins, even during one particular shot, I ruined it for laughing, i had to have 10 mins outside catching my breath, it was like a scene from a sketch show, i did wonder if I was on a hidden camera show at one point. I think the power bubble went to this persons head, a first time director out of their depth and feeling the need to say. look im in charge and I need you all to acknowledge it. This persons behavior actually had the opposite effect, they gained even less respect, for the rest of the shoot, the crew basically just got on with it, the director really had very little to do from that point on. I think they realized they had gone on a power trip, drunk too much redbull and too many episodes watching lost thinking this is easy this just like hollywood I am the new JJ Abramhs. So what did I learn from this experience? Well a film set in studio on a cold Yorkshires day is not Hollywood and as such too many first time directors let the title go to their heads, keep yourself grounded and the working atmosphere will be a much more pleasurable experience, for yourself, future projects and your crew. This was an interesting project and would work with the entire crew again in the future (8 people). I always find something new, something interesting something still to learn on every single project I am involved with, I guess if you have the passion you never become bored.
I will post my blog on the other 2 directors another day, I hope you enjoyed this little insight into my baseball cap shenanigans. Have a great xmas and Cappy opps, Happy new year.
Cheers
Andy | media73
ps. All persons mentioned in this blog are not ecademy.
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