"Acting is living truthfully in imaginary circumstances." -Stanislavski In the spring semester we had a few acting workshops to prepare us for our F2s. Acting isn't exactly my favorite thing in the world, and one of my directing weak points. I'd much rather be behind...
Coffee & Celluloid
How to Hold an Audition
Each year The Film School holds two open auditions. It's a really good idea. Anyone can come in. They fill out a form with their information and acting experience, get a head shot, and act out a scene that's recorded. This is inputted into a database and compiled in a...
How ‘On The Lot’ Should Have Been
I meant to write about On The Lot when the show first started. For one reason or another, I never got around to it, but now that the show is over and nothing changed I'll write about how I thought it should have been. The only two good things about the show were Gary...
How to be a Second Assistant Camera
Eat before you arrive. As soon as the grip truck arrives your main priority is to unload the camera equipment, load the mags for the day, and help build camera. Once all that's done, you can maybe grab a bite to eat if they're still setting up the shot. Learn how to...
How Not to Produce
Get the permit for the wrong location. Don't get all required parts for a piece of special equipment. Don't get food and craft services for any part of the production. Claim you did everything. Get an assistant to pay for everything. Don't get the food in time. Better...
The Little Differences
In all of Europe it's pump first, pay later. The pumps also have plastic gloves to keep your hands clean. It's really called a Royal with Cheese. A grilled sandwich is called toast. Diet Coke is Coca-Cola Light. Soda is still served in glass bottles. Germany has the...
Out of Country
I'm out of the country right driving around Europe in an English car (with right side steering). Just had my bags stolen in Prague, which is a slight setback but fortunately my camera and laptop were with me. I've found Europe to be pretty similar to America, but as...
On-Set Adventures For 2007-06-28
6am call. Going to school to get the grip truck. # Grip truck blocked in but able to manuever it out. Sun is starting to come out. # Trying to fake tv light on actors. #
Producing a Location
One of the main jobs of producing is securing locations for the film. Basically you find the location you'd like to use, contact the owner, and have them sign a location release. Of course it never works out to be that easy, such as the location above. This is the...