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PA Bootcamp to offer new training sessions this spring!

About 10 years ago I landed in Los Angeles and was eager to break into the film industry. I had a film degree and a few connections but was still struggling to make any real progress. After a year of working on really low-budget movies I finally made the plunge and signed up for PA Bootcamp. Even after graduating film school and working on sets I still learned a ton from the veteran ADs that led the training that weekend. In addition to making some really good contacts you will learn everything from set etiquette, production lingo, set protocol, supplies, typical duties and career advice.
Today I often hire PAs and its always helpful if they have been to a workshop intensive like PA Bootcamp. Occasionally I might see a resume that lists PA Bootcamp and this type of thing always sticks out to me.

 

Upcoming Dates
March 25th and 26th 2023 (limited spots)
April 15th and 16th 2023


Location
Los Angeles, CA (exact location tbd)

Cost
$250 (Save $50 when you write GOFORPRODUCTION in the sign up form)

4 media collaboration software tools to consider

While I don’t typically work in post I have found that I do need to be familiar with some of the latest tools to stay ahead of the game and be in the know. Instead of posting every software tool out there I thought I would post the few I have tried and used over the years.

1. FRAME.IO

Frame.io: is one central hub that lets you share media, track feedback, and streamline your workflow so your team can work closely together from anywhere in the world.


I love the commenting system between the poster and viewer.  Because this software is so well known and used it is easy to get other team members on board. I typically don’t need to convince anyone…

2. ASSEMBLE.TV

Assemble.tv:  is a newer platform that offers real-time collaboration and project management tools, asset management and file sharing.

In addition to being a collaboration tool, Assemble comes with a really sophisticated calendar system that can be great for sharing within your team and making specific calendars with assignable actions. You can also share more than just post assets…. While in production you can create galleries for locations or graphics to be approved for art department etc…

3. SOHONET.COM

Sohonet.com: is a media company that has designed multiple tools for the film industry. One of their premier tools is ClearView that allows editors to stream live reviews of their work with low latency for up to 40 viewers. Whereas with some collaboration tools..the reviews have to been rendered and uploaded, with ClearView you can make notes in real time. This tool is very useful when making notes regarding a VFX shot or something that might take a while to render etc.

4. ALTEON.IO

Alteon.io: is a newer platform that offers real-time collaboration, multi-user editing, and real-time feedback tools. With this service you can upload raw files and then download the proxies. I do love how I can keep all my projects in one place on their system without having to have multiple accounts.

10 tips to sending a call sheet email

When sending a Call Sheet email there are several important things to consider to make sure everything is clear and concise.

#1. Make sure the Email subject is clear.  – TV Show Title: – Ep. 716 Day 6 – Call Sheet (3.29)

#2. BCC recipients or use an email distro program such as Setkeeper, Croogloo, Scenechronize etc when sending the message.

#3. Consider creating a google doc that is shared between a few of your production crew to tweak and approve. You could share the document between the 2nd AD, POC, APOC, Prod Secretary, UPM, LP, Location Coordinator etc

#4. List at the top of the email what attachments are included in the email. If you have the ability attach digital sides…

#5. List the dates and times in a clear format.

#6. Consider highlighting certain items in yellow/red etc to draw attention to their importance.

#7. List the crew parking address at the top of the addresses so people will put that info into their GPS first. In some instances you may not want to list the set location and keep it on the Call Sheet only.

#8. Include the 2nd AD contact info

#9. Take the time to bold and unbold certain sections to make it easier to read.

#10. Keep the email brief.

 

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Setting up accounting solutions for a low budget movie

Whenever I’m hired as a Line Producer on a low budget movie under $1M I try and do most of the accounting myself and utilize the help of my production team to maintain the books.  I’m not against having an accountant…it’s just that I want to try and put as much money on screen as possible.

Here are a few tools I like to use:

Quickbooks Online

This is the main accounting platform I use for most low budget films. At the beginning of the project I sign up for the pro account with 5 users and upload a COA “Chart of Accounts” to the platform. Anytime expenses come in I’m able to easily code them using the category feature. The great thing about using Quickbooks is that it is such a universal program you don’t necessarily need a film accountant to run it. If at anytime you do run into issues you can always hire a virtual accountant that is well versed in this program.   I typically train a few of my office team members to help reconcile transactions and then I focus on the larger transactions such as wires etc. It’s possible to send ACH payments to vendors, run cost reports, balance sheets and more.

Wrapbook

I have found this platform to be the easiest-to-use film payroll platform for smaller projects. Adding cast or crew to the portal is super simple and it even connects to quickbooks. Most payroll companies require a back and forth with a payroll master that can take days….whereas with Wrapbook you can run payroll in less than an hour once everything is reviewed.

PEX

PEX is a simple p-card solution you can use to control spending with numerous cards and variable spending limits. PEX also integrates seamlessly with Quickbooks which is another plus. You can typically get approved with PEX in a matter of days and they are great about sending cards quickly. With the PEX app most of your crew should be able to reconcile transactions by taking pictures of receipts within a matter of minutes.

Conduiit

Conduiit is an online accounting solution that will help your team track check requests, wires and pos for approval. I’ve used this platform on numerous shows and it really helps me to stay organized and focused on what’s missing.

*Conduiit will be able to integrate with Quickbooks in the coming weeks.

7 gifts filmmakers will love

As the Holiday season approaches the question may arise of what should I buy that person I love that is a filmmaker?  Below I have outlined 10 of the best gifts that filmmakers will be excited about in their everyday life that they will cherish at work.

  1. Watches. The Apple Watch Ultra or the Apple Watch Series 8 will make great stocking stuffers for any filmmaker. These newer apple watches have better health sensors are more durable and heck the ultra watch looks like a real spy device from a Bond movie.
  2. Software. Scriptation is a digital subscription that allows filmmakers to mark up scripts, transfer notes and more. They are having a black Friday sale and this would be a great gift without breaking the bank. Normally you would pay $79.99 annually but with this link you can save $30.
    Visit http://scriptation.com/sale on an iOS device.
  3. Call Sheet Holder. You can’t go wrong with the traditional Gold Fold. This product has been a staple for Assistant Directors for years. Even though I like to use a tablet I still carry my leather Gold Fold because I’m less likely to break it or have it stolen when I’m walking around on set. This is the perfect device to carry call sheets, schedules, sides and write down important notes on the day.
  4. Books.  There are several great reads out there that will inspire and equip that filmmaker you know. Check out the following books:
    –Best Seat in the House: An Assistant Director Behind the Scenes of Feature Films
    –Running the Show: The Essential Guide to Being a First Assistant Director
    –How to Survive On Set: The Production Assistant’s Guidebook
  5. Tablets. The reMarkable and iPad are both great tablets for note taking, meetings and location/tech scouts. I love using the reMarkable for the majority of my notes while the iPad can come in handy when marking up overheads or looking at story boards for the next day’s scenes.
  6. Belt Bags. A Belt Bag might just be the missing device your filmmaker needs while on set. This everywhere bag from Lululemon can hold your phone, keys and you can carry around your waist or over your shoulder.
  7. Walkie Accessories. Who doesn’t need a walkie caddie, Tubeez, or FilmPro Elite Surveillance to spruce up their kit? Use the code BEST50 for everything 50% everything at https://onsetheadsets.com/shop/

Best Film & TV Software Management Apps – Free Webinar

I’m excited to be moderating a fun and interactive live demo on Thursday Nov 17th, 2022 at 1pm PST that will showcase some of the best software companies that support the Film and TV industry. This will be a great opportunity to learn about new and upcoming technical solutions for production.

The Lineup

Setkeeper – Nik Bars / Business Development

Distro, sides, crew onboarding and more..

Scriptation – Laura Noxon / Product Development Manager

Mark up scripts, transfer notes

RABS – Josh Weinberg / Founder

Digital Background Vouchers

Assemble – Nate Watkin / Founder

Calendar & Task List, Asset Management & File Sharing

Conduiit – Shawn Hamilton / Founder

Accounting approval system and workflow

Wraptime – Mirko Urania / Founder

Digital Out Sheets, Crew List & Health Check

When: 

Thursday Nov 17th, 2022
1PM PST | 3PM CST | 4PM EST

*Demo will last 1HR total

Register:

Click HERE

Want to learn to direct?

A former mentor/friend of mine Joth Riggs has recently launched a new course [www.directingyourmovie.com] for those who want to step into Directing.

This course gives you the confidence to handle everything from development to pre-production, production and post production.  Everything you’ll need to Direct Your Movie from Script to Screen.

While some courses on directing gloss over the specifics or only discuss directing “in theory”, this course gets into the nuts and bolts of every step of the directing process.

*You can also check out the Podcast episode I did with Joth a few years ago HERE.

How to make sides in 30 seconds or less

Yes its possible! You can make sides in 30 seconds or less.

Imagine it’s 9:30PM on a Thursday and you’ve had a long day on set as the 2nd AD. You are about to wrap and are trying to get the call sheet sent out as soon as wrap is called so that everyone can go to sleep with the info for tomorrow. The UPM has asked that digital sides be sent out with the call sheet so you know that if anything changes it will be paramount that these sides are made quickly by whoever does them. The 1st AD has just informed you that yes indeed they are pushing a scene and adding a pickup. The sides need to be made or re-done quickly.

7 Steps to making sides in 30 seconds or less

  1. Choose a software that can make digital sides. Two of my favorite platforms for this purpose are Croogloo and Setkeeper. Both platforms are incredible for script distro, watermarking, creating sides and more…
  2. Upload your script to the platform. Once you decide on a platform you will need to upload a CLEAN version of the script to either platform. I prefer to go into final draft, select all, clear asterisks and save the version as a clean version. Seeing asterisks on sides is oftentimes unnecessary and can make it difficult to read.
  3. Decide what scenes will be in the sides. Usually the sides are listed on the shooting schedule or one-liner, or the advance on the call sheet. Most times there will be a small change or addition that only the 1st AD and 2nd AD know about. Its best to always check with the 2nd AD before making the sides.
  4. Select the sides in the program. Login to your software and jump into the side making section. Once you are there you can choose the scenes you want to make and the order you want to list them in. I typically prefer to list them in script order because it can be confusing to look for scene 1 at the end of the sides.
  5. Decide what format you need the arrows and shading. Within these programs you can decide whether or not to gray out the previous scenes or what type of arrows to use. Graying out can be helpful, however if you have a tight budget it can make the toner waist a lot of ink.
  6. Attach the front of the Call Sheet. This can be helpful so you don’t have to do this later.
  7. Download the sides as a pdf. You will be given the option to put one or two to page. In general I like to download one to a page because I can print two to a page in printer settings (if using a mac) pretty easily. Once you have downloaded the sides you can either attach the front of the Call Sheet or print them as is and then attach the front when its ready. The easiest way to attach the front of the call sheet is to drag the pdf into pdf viewer and then click save.

Conduiit – Accounting Software to Stay Organized

A few months ago I stumbled upon some software “Conduiit” that I really wished I known about earlier.

Conduiit.app is a Cloud-based purchase order, payment request and file management system that allows production management and finance teams to work seamlessly. (taken from their website)

5 Reasons you should consider Conduiit on your next Feature or TV Series:

  1. The approval process can be stream-lined. Stop chasing down producers, line producers and UPMs and asking for a signature to approve a purchase. This platform does that all in one place with the click of a button.
  2. No more check requests without missing documents. Once logged into the platform you can see if you are missing a w9, backup or additional missing docs.
  3. It’s easy to use. You can train any department in a matter of minutes without having to put them through an extensive accounting course. Whoever on your project is submitting invoices (art coordinator, location coordinator, etc…) will have access to the platform to keep all their invoices in one place.
  4. The data can be exported into almost any accounting platform. With powerful report-building tools you can download a .csv or .xls to send to your accounting or finance team to upload into their system.
  5. Reduce email clutter. It can be easy to let a vendor payment slip through the cracks with emails that may or may not go answered. With this platform, everything is visible to production and accounting and thus cutting down on the famous… can you get them to send a w9 email?