I arrived on-location for filming of the student film "Gorgeous" early this morning. I saw a few faces I recognized from the theater building and from friends of friends. It was nice to know that I was connected to the world of film and that my impulse to get more experience wasn't completely unfounded. There are plenty of others doing the same thing as I.
After the first round of introductions were made, I became chiefly aware of how little I knew about the actual equipment. It dawned on me that "no wonder on camera actors tend to take their time before the branch out to do their own projects." You don't know what have the stuff is called. I more than envied the undergrads I saw on set because I knew that many of them, from what I've gathered from my undergrad friends in the department, are double majors in both Theater and RTF (Radio-Television-Film). Their breathe of knowledge far exceeds my own.
Terms were being thrown around for equipment and I knew nothing. 10Ks, teenie-weenies, silkscreens, flags, and an array of other terms that I had no clue about which made me more than a little anxious. I mean when I told the producer of the project, a friend of mine, that I was a complete novice, I thought she'd get it. I really knew NOTHING.
But, not wanting to seem unintelligent and completely useless, I started listening very hard and paying attention to the people who seemed to know what they were doing. I did a lot of work with setting up the lights and began to find that I was actually quite useful. I was able to rig a few lights on my own to the point where the director called on one of the other PAs to stop messing with things and left the task to me. When a fuse blew, I was able to figure out why and fixed it. Also, my having a car helped a ton cause I could be of use to pick up a few things.
Being a producer means being God on set. You gotta make sure everything is functioning, everybody has what they need, and things move according to schedule. I've produced a play once and I started to remember how similar that experience was to this. I just didn't know the terminology, but the mind set is the same.
I had to leave before they finished all the shots for the day, but I was able to pick up a more than enough knowledge. I did enjoy myself. I think when thrown into new experiences, I kind of flourish because I am working arduously to hide my ignorance AND I like learning new things! My brain gets a rush! (I'm a nerd!).
I seriously think all actors should spend a lot of time behind the scenes because you learn just how important everyone's job is, not just your's as an actor. And you realize how professional you need to be. You can just decide to cut or fuck it up cause you are not feeling it. Everyone is there to do a job. Albeit at times everyone experiences the "Hurry up and wait" feeling, you need to be able to do your job AS AN ACTOR and not muck up all the preparation done for your benefit. Yes, none of those other people have jobs without you, but you don't look good, without them.
I have more work to do with this project and I think I might try to get in a bunch more hours, even though I am quite exhausted, because I will be PA-ing another film next week, and I want to feel confident.. or not as dumb, because I don't think I will have as many familiar faces.
After the first round of introductions were made, I became chiefly aware of how little I knew about the actual equipment. It dawned on me that "no wonder on camera actors tend to take their time before the branch out to do their own projects." You don't know what have the stuff is called. I more than envied the undergrads I saw on set because I knew that many of them, from what I've gathered from my undergrad friends in the department, are double majors in both Theater and RTF (Radio-Television-Film). Their breathe of knowledge far exceeds my own.
Terms were being thrown around for equipment and I knew nothing. 10Ks, teenie-weenies, silkscreens, flags, and an array of other terms that I had no clue about which made me more than a little anxious. I mean when I told the producer of the project, a friend of mine, that I was a complete novice, I thought she'd get it. I really knew NOTHING.
But, not wanting to seem unintelligent and completely useless, I started listening very hard and paying attention to the people who seemed to know what they were doing. I did a lot of work with setting up the lights and began to find that I was actually quite useful. I was able to rig a few lights on my own to the point where the director called on one of the other PAs to stop messing with things and left the task to me. When a fuse blew, I was able to figure out why and fixed it. Also, my having a car helped a ton cause I could be of use to pick up a few things.
Being a producer means being God on set. You gotta make sure everything is functioning, everybody has what they need, and things move according to schedule. I've produced a play once and I started to remember how similar that experience was to this. I just didn't know the terminology, but the mind set is the same.
I had to leave before they finished all the shots for the day, but I was able to pick up a more than enough knowledge. I did enjoy myself. I think when thrown into new experiences, I kind of flourish because I am working arduously to hide my ignorance AND I like learning new things! My brain gets a rush! (I'm a nerd!).
I seriously think all actors should spend a lot of time behind the scenes because you learn just how important everyone's job is, not just your's as an actor. And you realize how professional you need to be. You can just decide to cut or fuck it up cause you are not feeling it. Everyone is there to do a job. Albeit at times everyone experiences the "Hurry up and wait" feeling, you need to be able to do your job AS AN ACTOR and not muck up all the preparation done for your benefit. Yes, none of those other people have jobs without you, but you don't look good, without them.
I have more work to do with this project and I think I might try to get in a bunch more hours, even though I am quite exhausted, because I will be PA-ing another film next week, and I want to feel confident.. or not as dumb, because I don't think I will have as many familiar faces.