2 answers
Za'Mare
Student
Elyria, Ohio
5
Questions
Updated
469 views
What tough encounters have you run into with being a Producer and/or Director ?
What tough encounters have you run into with being a Producer and/or Director ?
2 answers
Hank Isaac
Writer/Director
39
Answers
Ocean Shores, Washington
Updated
Hank’s Answer
Not sure what you mean by "encounters" except to say you need to accept that not everything will go as planned. Survival and success depend on your willingness to adapt to changing circumstances.
One time we were filming at night. The per-hour cost was the highest of the film. The scene was in front of an apartment complex and also involved the street, real police officers, and an ensemble cast plus extras. Down the street was a huge illuminated sign and we'd negotiated an agreement with the owners to have them shut off the sign between certain hours--it would have commanded the frame and not in a good way.
But the problem...
They never showed up to turn it off, the switches were inside their locked building, and we were unable to reach them (it was around midnight).
We debated what to do. Individual schedules prevented us from coming back on a different night. So my 1st AD volunteered to take a crew and literally cover the sign with black plastic garbage bags (we had lots). Took about an hour, but we got our scene. This was risky because our insurance would likely not have covered any problems, had they occurred. And it would have been on me as I was also the film's producer.
If you get into making films, you will ALWAYS need to make decisions like these. This is not an occupation for the faint of heart. But experience will make you better at it.
Join as many film crews as you can so you can observe both good and bad decision making.
One time we were filming at night. The per-hour cost was the highest of the film. The scene was in front of an apartment complex and also involved the street, real police officers, and an ensemble cast plus extras. Down the street was a huge illuminated sign and we'd negotiated an agreement with the owners to have them shut off the sign between certain hours--it would have commanded the frame and not in a good way.
But the problem...
They never showed up to turn it off, the switches were inside their locked building, and we were unable to reach them (it was around midnight).
We debated what to do. Individual schedules prevented us from coming back on a different night. So my 1st AD volunteered to take a crew and literally cover the sign with black plastic garbage bags (we had lots). Took about an hour, but we got our scene. This was risky because our insurance would likely not have covered any problems, had they occurred. And it would have been on me as I was also the film's producer.
If you get into making films, you will ALWAYS need to make decisions like these. This is not an occupation for the faint of heart. But experience will make you better at it.
Hank recommends the following next steps:
William Nwaogu
Construction, CAD and BIM
299
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
William’s Answer
Za'Mare!
I may not give you a personal experience, but a realistic counsel.
You have to be self discipline as a Producer or Director, to avoid falling into these traps:
* Unethical practice of sexual abuse and harassment.
* Intellectual property breaches.
* Taxation compliance breaches.
* Sacrificing time for personal and family life and relationships as a result of being controlled by monetary offers.
I may not give you a personal experience, but a realistic counsel.
You have to be self discipline as a Producer or Director, to avoid falling into these traps:
* Unethical practice of sexual abuse and harassment.
* Intellectual property breaches.
* Taxation compliance breaches.
* Sacrificing time for personal and family life and relationships as a result of being controlled by monetary offers.
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