Hiring crew:
I know there are a lot of people out there putting together film and video projects and some on their own. Low budget, out of pocket, short schedule, not a lot of money in the kiddie and running out of time. As well, these film makers tend to want qualified people. Let me give you a bit of free advice.
As someone who has worked on any number of film and video projects as a technician, I can tell you this: "When you are an experience crew person, you don't want to work for free." Hell, most people don't want to work for free, even if they don't have experience. I've said this before and I will say it again. You have to give an experience film person a reason to work on your project. If they DP normally, let then Direct. If they Direct normally, let them Produce or DP. If they Key Grip normally, let them Gaff. This is the best way to get experience people on your crew. I know some people will work for free if they are friends or you did them a favor but if you are just looking to find experienced people you don't know, this is the best way to go about it. As well, these people will be working for free, so you really have to be flexible, understanding, know they may get a paying job and leave, know the limits of working your crew, never go over 12 hours, never bust turn around and so many other things I can't even think of right now. Either take all this into consideration or pay them.
This is a quote I found on a web site about Film Maker Eric Bickernicks's quest to make his movie alt.sex:
An update on lighting:
The few times I had a real lighting guy, I was able to shoot twice as quickly My advice: find ANYBODY who can at least set up the lights in at least a vaguely competent manner. Pay/beg/plead/go down on this person to help you. After you've found a lighting guy, a competent sound person, THEN think about a camera person.
I really like this quote cause I do lighting (Gaffer) and I know it to be true. Not only true for lighting but for other areas of film as well, Camera, Sound, Production, you name it. Having people who understand what it means to make a film will save you loads of time and headaches. Even if they are not working in the area they normally do. That is the bait (A title change or a bump up in rank) , then you have them on set, for council, to pitch in or whatever.
It's good that film makers are smart enough to tell potential crew they are offering food and copy (Copy which the directors and producers are always too busy to get to you) and that is the very least they can do. However, offering food and copy is not enough when you are talking about having qualified people on your film. If you want people to work for free, use inexperienced people who will get something out of working on your film and have a few experienced people to tell them what they should be doing. Things will move slower than if you had an experienced crew but at least you have man power or women power. I don't want to be sexist here.
So there you have it. Not too hard to figure out. Consult with someone who really knows what they are doing before you venture out and make a film or video project. You will be happy you did.
Head Honcho
at Reel Butter
