Monday, May 18, 2009

Today's Dithering.

For some reason, the other day, I found myself searching for websites that describe how to schedule a movie. I was surprised to find that there are very few posts on the subject. What I found were mostly geared toward ultra-low-budget or short films that can't afford or don't need the level of scheduling that a feature film requires. Then I got to thinking about how it's kind of a miracle that any movie ever comes up with a workable shooting schedule because there are only about 12-bazillion details that have to be coordinated to make a schedule work.

Then I decided as long as no one else seems to have bothered describing the process, I might as well make that into a post. I'm not the one who is usually responsible for creating a schedule, but I've done it a few times, so I actually do know what I'm talking about, so why not me?

Then I started writing it. Then I decided it would have to be divided into a number of posts because the answer is so complex. Then I decided that Part 1 was getting a little long and I wasn't going to finish that in one sitting if I was going to do the subject justice.

So, that won't be today's post.

Here's some other stuff.

I'm starting work on Wednesday on reshoots for a movie that shot in 2007 and has never been released. It's about a week and a half of work for 2 or 3 days of shooting. As usual, I won't tell you what movie it is until some time after my part in it is done, but it has some promise. It's based on a play that did really well Off-Broadway in the late 80's. Its star has recently made a name for herself as a pop singer, so this might be the incentive they've got to revive the production. The fact that they've found money to reshoot scenes that may not have worked before bodes well for the movie. Anyway, I met some of the people involved last week and they all seem like good people, so I'm looking forward to working with them.

Last week, I was a Guest Instructor at the Made in NY Production Assistant Training Program. The session I was involved in took place one day before their graduation after 4 weeks of training on the students' part. My part was to conduct mock-interviews with some of the students (on camera) and then to critique how well they did. First of all, I'm qualified to conduct and critique interviews because...uh...I interview people quite often for my department and then I hire them (or not) depending on how well they did. I was assigned three of the students and they all did great. When I find out what kind of department I'm getting for next week, I'd definitely consider hiring any of the three. (Note: It really showed that they had just been through 4 weeks of training [as opposed to two days] and they really seemed to know their shit.) I was duly impressed.

Last, but not least, my friend Eric and some friends of his were involved in a traffic accident over the weekend when a pick up truck ran a red light and slammed into them. Eric has a broken wrist and one of his friends required surgery for multiple broken bones. The car is scrap metal. Go over and wish him well if you get a chance. You'll have to scroll down and comment in the previous unrelated thread because he closed comments to the post telling us about the accident. Don't worry about being off-topic there. None of the rest of us let that bother us.

1 comment:

Jim Wright said...

So, that won't be today's post.

Here's some other stuff.
Nathan, you crack me up.