Sunday, July 24, 2011

Distractions


Alright here we go, I have been wanting to do a blog on this topic for time now, but I have just kept putting it off. I think it is important for me to point out that even though I don’t mention any names in this I will be talking about a few people I know. And that if they read this I hope it motivates you to do what you want.

I find that many people have goals or things that they want to do in life, but many of us don’t reach those goals. And those people blame certain things or reasons as to why they don’t reach them. But I am sorry to say they have no one to blame but themselves.  And the main reason they don’t achieve these goals is because they are lazy. Now being lazy doesn’t just stop at fitness, cause yes it is the number one reason people are over weight or out of shape. You can’t get fit sitting in the couch playing video games and guess what the same applies to making your dreams come true.

So much talent is wasted because of things like video games and Television. I have more then a few friends that want to make movies or do photography. But lack the drive or self-motivation to do so. And I have no problem helping someone by giving them the opportunity, but I will not to all the work for them.  If you want to make a film I will help you with the script and other areas, but don’t expect me to do all the work while you do nothing. At that point it’s not really your film it’s mine. And don’t tell me how to make a low budget film when you yourself have never done it. I have made three and know what you can and can’t do.  And the order you should do things in.  I wont be a nazi about it, but take from what I have learned and don’t make the mistakes I have in low budget filming, use the KISS method Keep It Simple Stupid. If you want a bar but have no money to rent one, maybe change your script a bit, a house party will work just as well. Way easier to get a friend’s house then it is to shot in a business.

Now one big problem I see that holds everyone back is video game’s. Yeah they are fun and after work but you don’t have to play them all night. Set yourself a time limit play for an hour or two then work on the project you want to work on. Or work on your project first then play your game.  The game isn’t going anywhere you can play it at anytime. Your dream won’t be going anywhere ether if you don’t work on it. Things wont just fall into your lap, that doesn’t happen for everyone. It takes time and a lot of trail and error.  But if you really want it you should keep at it, you don’t want to look back and regret that you never tried at least. I’d rather try and fail then never try at all, and trying is more then a lot of people do.

Another thing that holds people back is other people. Some people tell you that it will never happen or your dream is stupid. Well a lot of the time these people are just jealous that you have the guts to try while they don’t. Other people might give criticism towards your work. Learn how to take it, sometimes criticism is a good thing it lets you know where you need to improve. Don’t stop or get mad cause someone doesn’t like what your doing. It might not be there style or they don’t understand what you’re trying to do. Now if they are a person with considerable experience in the field you are trying to get into ie) writing, photography, editing, listen to what they have to say, it may sound like they are putting you down but they are trying to help you succeed, odds are they wouldn’t have agreed to look over your project if they didn’t think you could do it.

 The main point is don’t get mad and stop trying to reach your dream. Don’t let the little things distract you and keep you from trying. Someone once told me “do something everyday that takes you one step closer to your dream” now at times I have lost sight of that advice but I tell you what it’s true. Do at least one thing a day to help you reach your goal.  Now stop reading this and go work your own dream, and I hope you make or at least put in a damn good effort at trying.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Respect for others time

One thing that I always try and stress in this business is respect for other peoples time. The reason I say this is for a photo shoot or film shoot you have multiple people working with you. And if you are the photographer or the talent if your late you are wasting everyones time, and that isn't fair to the people you are working with. I know personally I don't like my time waisted, and in an industry like this it is true time is money! And now let me explain this for you.

Now let's use a video production for example and a single location day for your shoot:

7am:
 call time so that you can start setting up and the talent can get hair and make up done - estimated time 1.5 hrs

830am:
travel to your location (this can change depending on where your location is from your base camp) So lets say .5hr

9am
blocking and one rehearsal estimated time .5 - 1hr

930 am - 10am
Start shooting estimated time 6hrs

4pm
Finish shooting because you no longer have this location after 5pm

4pm - 5pm
Break down and clean up.

Now this is a rough estimate of your day. So lets say your talent is late by an hour. it now pushes all your time back. Which means you will start shooting later then you want too, which means you will not get all the shots you want. And you may not be to happy with what you do get.

So how do you make sure this doesn't happen?? Well you can't really people are people and you can't really stop people from being late mistakes sometimes do happen. But you can stress the importance of being on time. Clear time sheets stating when call time is and the date, also clear communications in emails or texts messages if you are not making call sheets. Stress the date and the time a number of times in the messages you send out. This way no one can use the excuse I thought it was later or on a different day. Also on your call sheets try using the 24 clock, this way no one get confused with AM or PM.

If you are late all the time this looks bad and since you will be costing people money, you may not get hired back and that is never good. I know if your late on me or a no show all together you'll never work with me again and when people ask about you I wont say bad things about you but I will warn people that you are often late. And that is only fair that I warn others.

So people what I am trying to say is this respect other peoples time, make sure you know when your supposed to show up for your call time. If your going to be late at least call. If I am taking your picture if your a half hour late the chances of me being there when you show up are slim to none unless you call me to inform me your running late. I have had a few no shows lately and this has now forced me to start charging a 50 dollar booking few. If you cancel with 24 hours notice then you will get you money back. If less then 24 hours sorry no refund for you. This might sound harsh but if I am putting my time in to find you a location to shoot and arranging make and hair for you, and you cancel i do believe I should get paid for my time just a little don't you?

Christopher