Why being fired was one of the best things to happen to me.

Why being fired was one of the best things to happen to me.

     

     This past Monday I was fired, plain and simple. During a workshop by DP Chris Scarafile, camera operator on "Boardwalk Empire" and "Blacklist" I was one of three who volunteered to help set up and demonstrate what a professional production might look like. My job...Grip. 

Here's what I didn't know. 

1) How to use a C-Stand properly.

2) How to put on a tool belt.

3) What the different flags did what.
4) How to put two apple boxes together to make a firm base.

5) How to use tape.

6) How to push a dolly

7) To get out of the way of the lights. 

8) How to not fuck up in a general and very specific sense.

     I was obviously fired in the first thirty seconds. I had no experience or right to be a grip for someone such as Chris Scarafile (or a grip at all). But I knew that I was going to put my foot forward and at least try, and by the grace of god I was allowed to stay and help for the remaining. I am not someone who likes to sit on the sidelines, and as Chris said if someone asks you to do a job you don't know how to do it SAY YES and you can learn in the time between when you're asked and when you're on the job. Unfortunately for me that time was 0 seconds so that really didn't apply to me in this situation...

Here's what I did know and did learned.

1) How to use a C-Stand properly

2) How to put on a tool belt and use the tools on them

3) What different flags did what and what they are used for

4) How to use tape and apple boxes

5) How to use a Dolly

6) How to not get in the way of lights

7) Don't fuck up

8) Always say yes and put your foot forward no matter what

9) How to perform under pressure and do your job

10) Ask questions

11) Give no excuses

12) Change my name and grow a mustache. TRY AGAIN.

13) Never give up

14) Keep a positive attitude

     This was an insanely eye opening and helpful experience. For me, it was invaluable in seeing what the actual industry of what I want to do is like and how I can get in and be a part of it. It showed me the holes in my education at IC and what I need to work on and learn how to do. Most importantly it showed me that your attitude is an extremely important factor in how you learn, how you move up, and how you succeed in this business.

     Though I got my ass kicked, I got out of there with even more excitement and passion than I had before and am extremely thankful for all those who made it possible. 

My Thoughts on the Lighting Workshop

I was really intrigued by our workshop today. It was hosted by Chris Scarafile, who has worked on Boardwalk Empire and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, among many others. Chris was extremely knowledgeable and provided us with real, applicable knowledge of production that you really can't get from reading a textbook. He was also very understanding of our student status, and made his talks relatable. During the actual production part of the  workshop he was very intense and fast-paced, but I think that is justified simply because the entertainment industry time-driven and stressfulI, there is no time to waste. I was only able to stay for part of the workshop, but I know I learned some valuable insight when I was there. 

 I will be the first to admit that I don't have a ton of on set experience, so workshops like this hosted by a professional in the field are extremely valuable to me. Chris went over the basic steps of setting up a shot, but more importantly I think he put it in perspective of the entire production, describing when we would be using stand-ins, what departments would be involved, who's responsibility each job was, etc. 

Before we even began the lighting/camera demo, Chris talked to us about each major position on set, conveniently answering questions I had about the duties of the AD from my previous post. We talked about the Director, DP, and Production Design as three main camps on set, and Chris went into each of the subordinate positions in these various departments and the duties that each performs on a daily basis. He gave really helpful 'pro-tips' like considering acting in projects if you want to direct, or working as a dolly grip to get closer to the camera position. 

One interesting side note that I took away from this workshop was when Chris mentioned his on-set experience for the show Blacklist. He stressed to us the important of working with what you have (or don't have). As an example He mentioned that the show was extremely stressful to shoot, because they used three cameras at all times and had a very tight schedule. That is insane. I can't imagine the internal chaos the camera department (and continuity) experience each day on set.  Since all three cameras were always rolling, Chris told us that they used a slight low angle to avoid getting the other camera operators in the shot. This results in what Chris called the "looking up the nose" shot that is utilized so much by the show. I thought this was really cool and practical, but probably a little terrifying to actually utilize on set.  

As you can see above, its nothing dramatic, and if it wasn't pointed out you probably wouldn't even notice it.  Just another trick of the trade I suppose.