Friday, November 6, 2015

"What's The Problem?"







"Oh, he's still wrapping cable inside."

Um... What?





What's the problem?





"What's the problem?"

Fuck you.

That's the problem. 


AID said...

So often having been Spark 7 myself, I completely empathise.

The thing is, often this general sentiment of team vs self, manifests itself during the shoot. Often there are times when everyone is standing around at the staging area, chatting - bonding.

If I'm lucky, it'll be myself and one other still working. Prepping kit, watching the floor; basically being prepared. In my head, I'm making sure that as a team we look good. That at the end of the day/week/shoot, the Gaffer and DP think we are awesome.

But this comes at the loss of that time spent 'getting along' with the other sparks, and therefore cutting off potential avenues to other jobs, even maybe going towards the other end of the scale. You are working, you are intentionally alienating yourself, trying to impress the bosses. When it is not that at all - you just want THE TEAM to be good.

Basically, is it enough to generally get along with everyone, and let your work do the talking for you?

A funny grey area I've observed.

Michael Taylor said...

Sounds like you got stuck with a crappy crew who haven't yet learned that being a pro on set means doing the job -- not waiting for somebody else on the crew to do it for you. And that sucks...

As for AID's comment: you don't have to make a choice. Do both -- get along with the crew AND let your work talk for you. You're not going the extra mile on set to "impress the bosses," but because that's your job. And if those other members of your crew yak it up at the carts while you do the work -- in other words, if they can't even be shamed into doing THEIR fucking job -- then you don't want to work with them anyway. Guys like that are unlikely to get the good jobs in the future, so it's no loss for you. Believe me, Best Boys and Gaffers notice who's doing the work.

JD said...

"...shamed into doing their job....", why after more than one day of this nonsense are they still on the crew? Who hired them and doesn't the Gaffer and or BB realize that this was a mistake? If I were BB or subbing for BB, no call sheets until I say my department is wrapped. We work as a team or YOU don't work for me. Might not make any friends, but it will build a team where everyone know that they can rely on one another.

JD said...

That same sort of work ethic causes equipment damage as everyone is in a hurry to leave. Don't pack carefully, organize, coil cables, tie stingers...., we'll straighten it out tomorrow. Don't be gentle, it's a rental!

Unknown said...

I just stumbled upon this blog today and it is perfect timing!!

Just started a show and a few of the team have their panties in a bunch because they don't like it when dailies come out and show them up. My philosophy is team is team. Daily or weekly or show call. There is a job to be done and shouldn't everyone take part to the best of their ability?? I'm done with the crabs in the bucket mind set that so many techs have. I have been trying to figure out how to fix the situation and I just did. To quote JD, "We work as a team or YOU don't work for me".

Time to clean house.

Thanks all!!!

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