Call time when filming

I was merely making a point for discussion & not ranting as one angry actor suggests.I'm always thanked for my patience.I've been in the business 20 years but think that forward planning would help.Recently I was booked & paid for 4 hours but did 8 with no extra pay!

• 15 years ago
• 21

I was merely making a point for discussion & not ranting as one angry actor suggests.I'm always thanked for my patience.I've been in the business 20 years but think that forward planning would help.Recently I was booked & paid for 4 hours but did 8 with no extra pay!

• 15 years ago
• 22

I was merely making a point for discussion & not ranting as one angry actor suggests.I'm always thanked for my patience.I've been in the business 20 years but think that forward planning would help.Recently I was booked & paid for 4 hours but did 8 with no extra pay!

• 15 years ago
• 23

hahaha
I think you've made your point! lol

• 15 years ago
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According to the Oxford English Dictionary, film making should be two words either with or without a hyphen - I think that's a matter of choice.
By the way Splat, I haven't had an apology for the use of the word yoni - unless of course you are a Hindu in which case, thank you :-))

• 15 years ago
• 25

Read Michael Caine's "Acting In Film" re: behaviour on set. I've never been a huge Caine fan, but he has some truly excellent advice on the subject.

M.

• 15 years ago
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The last greivance you mention, Michael, sounds perfectly valid to me - not being paid any extra for many extra hours of work is an entirely different issue, particularly when working those hours occurs over and above anything pre contracted. On the other hand, I'm not sure if you meant simply that they worked you for as long as they could, without overstepping the limit of having to pay you overtime, at which point, I suppose, you stayed on the same rate for more work. In that case, I guess there is little you can do to argue the case.

All that is very different, of course, from a simple complaint about inconvienient call times.

• 15 years ago
• 27

Sometimes aspects of this job can be frustrating, and this is supposed to be a safe place to vent these frustrations amongst respected peers, whether they are a "given" part of the job or not.

Reading some threads recently though, I actually don't feel comfortable doing that, so good on you for getting something off your chest.
Lets try and be a little more patient with our fellow pro members .... but having said that, some people's comments are right, you shouldn't generalise by blaming techies.
That isn't really fair, they work really hard.

• 15 years ago
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Thats the life of an ACTOR.

Reuben Liburd

• 15 years ago
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Angry? No! Tired of listening to some people constantly whining? Absolutely!

In the game for 20 years? Clearly the vast majority of that was on stage and not screen which explains the lack of understanding of the process of making films!

Breathe! Count to 10!

Ahh! That's much better! :-)

• 15 years ago
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I even think referring to 'techies' as 'techies' is a bit disparaging - of course, ther are, collectively, the 'technical' team. But, really, 'techie' is a theatre term (if it's anything), and representative of the fact that the 'technical' side of the show is traditionally considered to be secondary to the performance - possibly quite rightly, as ,ultimately, good stage acting should be able to command attention without any extensive contribution from fancy lighting states, SFX and so on - there is nothing more important in 'real time' than the connection between the actor and the audience. The 'techs', from the stage perspective (unless you are one of those thousand pound West End shows in which more care is taken over the hydraulics than the performances...ahem!) exist as 'engineers', in effect, who are enhancing what the actors are doing. Which is not to say that their vital contributions to a show shouldn't be acknowledged, but does explain, I think, why they are often considered 'peripheral' figures in a stage production, by the performers (and sometimes, more worringly, the directors!).

On a film set, though, the 'techs' are the 'crew', and the fact that that makes them sound like a unified brotherhood who are steering the film to completion through their collective efforts is about right. They all have their place within their own teams; they all have their allocated hierarchy; they are all proud to say that they have worked their way to becoming a 'gaffer' or a 'focus puller' or a 'key grip' or a 'sparks'; they will spend more time in the company of the director than you ever will, unless you are Tom Cruise, and be treated with greater solicitude. In short, it's really their set, not yours, and I think it's important that every actor who works in film respects that fact... and the amount of work that the crew have to put in in order to make everything you do look suitably good for broadcast.

• 15 years ago
• 31

....I agree;It's their set not ours.

Not a lot of people know that!

• 15 years ago
• 32

Hear hear Lee!!

And Leigh!! I have heard what you say and take note!! I will try to be more, er, understanding of some people need to vent!!

I do, however, make no apologies for my comments on this or any other forum and stand by every word I have ever written on any of them!

I'll maybe just bite my finger in future...biting my lip doesn't seem suitable as I'm typing not talking! ;-)

Hey ho!!

• 15 years ago
• 33

The angry actor knew who I meant & if he had looked at my CV would have seen that I have done a great deal of TV/film.You obviously have some personal issues,since you have made a mountain out of a mole hill!Cool down, it was suppose to be a light discussion!I wish I hadn't suggested it!

• 15 years ago
• 34

Personal issues!! None at all matey!!

So many of your colleagues are struggling to find any work at all and you're moaning about having to get up a couple of hours early and hang about for a bit! You wound me up, and I reacted!!

Be happy, you're working..it's all good!!

• 15 years ago
• 35

I love every second of hanging around on set watching the director and producer bring everything to life and building a friendship with them. This is what actors do they go through lines with other actors, there's always water available, its what we do as actors Steve mc fadden said he had to lie in the road for 5 hours to film his who ran over phil mitchell scene few years ago and he said it was really cold and didnt complain because its what us committed actors do so as far as i am concerned there is nothing to complain about if you're waiting around on set all day its part of the job of being an actor.

Reuben Liburd

• 15 years ago
• 36

I always take a book with me. When I've done everything else and on the second day after meeting everyone...getting excited about being on set...and the rest then gets 'stuffy' I go and read.
Then nap...then have lunch...then ring home...then sleep deeply after lunch...and then wake up in time to say my line(s) and then drive home!!!
No problem. I get paid for whatever time they expect me to be 'theirs'.
I'm never late. Never argue if the schedule changes. Accept new lines as strandard practice. It's all part of the job.
I just wish I got more of it!!!

• 15 years ago
• 37

Whose punctuation? It all looked fine to me. One golden rule: when in doubt, leave it out.
And where's my apology?

• 15 years ago
• 38

Good professional attitude Alan! There's many an actor who should take heed...not naming any names mind you!
;-)

Onwards & Upwards!

• 15 years ago
• 39

Great thread and read !

Hanging around on set, being prepared, or hanging around at home waiting for the phone to ring, well I know what my money is on, all those great people to discuss the meaning of life with, plus your getting paid, no contest, bring me my pillow and book.

• 15 years ago
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