In this quick tutorial I walk you through the basic steps of adjusting the stripboard layout in Movie Magic Scheduling.
Topics covered:
- Centering banners
- Adding the BG count to your strips
- Adding the Script Day number to the strips
In this quick tutorial I walk you through the basic steps of adjusting the stripboard layout in Movie Magic Scheduling.
Topics covered:
Managing extras can be one of the most challenging things for any production. Its one thing to deal with a few extras on an occasional basis, however when you are on a show that is having to manage hundreds or in some cases thousands of extras…you want a system that can run smoothly and effectively. For decades productions have relied on antiquated technology using carbon copy skins that really make the process all the more challenging. Having to track paperwork, props and dealing with out times has been a source of pain and frustration for both extras and production.
Current problems of the typical paper system:
*Extends Late Nights
*Slows Call Times
*Long Check-Out Lines
*Missing, Incomplete, Sloppy Documents
*Invalid Tax Incentive Info
*Causes Grievances
*Messy for Payroll and Accounting
*Extra’s Complaints
*P.A. and A.D. Time, Effort Wasted
*Poor Communication
*No Oversight
*Morale Killing
*Limiting Legal & Payroll Compliance
RABS is the only app to manage extras from Skin to Wrap.
*You can onboard extras in seconds.
*You can wrap instantly, all documents completed, costumes and props returned with an automatic breakdown
*Hot-cost savings, vouchers, docs, tax incentives, digitally delivered to accounting.
*Cost $600 per week and $3 per extra.
Schedule a Demo: runabetterset.com/demo
As an Assistant Director one of the many tasks I am often required to do when working as a 2nd AD is the job of creating a distro list to send out call sheets, scripts etc. These “lists” are often difficult to keep up with and can be time-consuming in many instances.
Recently I stumbled upon some software Setkeeper that not only makes the distro process pain-free it has tracking software enabled that indicates whether or not the cast/crew have received or opened their call sheet.
Setkeeper is an online subscription site designed to create sides, distro documents and act as a hub to share information (such as location photos) to your entire cast and crew. Their software is top-notch with flexible pricing plans that can fit almost any budget.
Check out the highlight video and infographic below and consider doing a test-drive!
When setting up a mobile production office…the task to organize the mounds of paperwork can be challenging. Over the years I’ve discovered a few tools to make my life a tad easier.
Hanging File Organizer $12.99
-Buy on Amazon
Pendaflex Hanging Organizer $14.99
-Buy on Amazon
Fellows Workstation $7.08
-Buy on Amazon
Wonderfile Portable Workstation $34.50
-Buy on Amazon
Office Depot Large Mobile File Box $15.30
-Buy on Amazon
Google forms are easy to create customizable forms that will make your life easier when it comes to collecting data. You can create them in minutes and google gives you the ability to send this data to a google doc spreadsheet that creates a seamless workflow when collaborating in a team environment.
Here are a few ways to use Google Forms for your production:
#1. Actor Info
Collect the following (email, cell, agent info, flight preference, food preference, clothing dimensions for costumes, etc).
#2 Crew Info
Collect room preference (if sharing rooms and requesting roommates) food preference, travel info, etc
#3 Volunteer Extras
Create a form to recruit extras for your production
How To Make a Google Form:
Whether you are sending call sheets or looking at actor demo reels, fast internet is critical for any production on the road. The problem lies however with a majority of the internet carriers who like to throttle the “unlimited service” after you have used a certain amount of Data. Yes you can purchase a mifi from Verizon, At&t or Sprint…however you will either pay a ton of money for the full service or you will be frustrated with the so-called “unlimited service.”
Below are two companies I have used and trust that I would continually rent internet again from.
Walk and Talk Production Rentals
Walk and Talk are one of the few companies where you can rent a 4GB junction box that does not throttle or slow down and can connect up to 100 people. Average price is $75/per week and they will even ship out to you if you are outside Los Angeles.
wifirents is great for productions that don’t need fast internet and need a temporary internet solution while on the road. This is one of the few companies that charges by the day so you can keep the cost down.
What do “Star Wars”, “The Godfather”, “Back to the Future”, “Batman”, “Goonies”, “Saving Private Ryan”, “Top Gun”, “Pirate of the Caribbean”, “Interstellar” and “Pulp Fiction” all have in common?
Simple: Amazing Assistant Directors.
A never been done before movie about Film heroes. These ADs have collected numerous stories from legendary films. These inspirational film veterans have the best advice and wisdom for those who strive to become film makers and stories that would intrigue any movie watcher.
Legendary AD’s of the most famous and Legendary movies of all time….
TRAILER
Visit the SITE
Watch on AMAZON PRIME
Buy the DVD
I often travel all across the United States working primarily as a Line Producer / Unit Production Manager or 1st AD and tasked with the challenge of finding local crew and extras.
Here are 7 Avenues to finding local crew and extras.
As a Line Producer, AD or UPM I am often tasked with the question of whether or not the film will be scheduled using a 5 Day week or a 6 Day week time frame.
In general I prefer a 5-Day week but sometimes a 6-Day week will have its advantages if the budget is really tight.
5 Day Week
–Don’t have to worry about 6th day time and half pay
-Gives cast and crew adequate time to rest and recharge
-Allows Directors, ADs or Producers enough time to make critical adjustments to the following week
-Allows for enough turnaround time for actors when you are shooting splits or nights toward the end of the week
6 Day Week
–Great option if you are doing a rather small shoot that lasts one or two weeks. So if you do two 6-day weeks you get 12 shoot days instead of shooting three five-day weeks. This cuts down on vendor rentals etc.
-If doing for an extended period time (more than 2 weeks) this can potentially lead to sickness within the cast/crew and fatigue
Third Option
In some cases you may want to have a hybrid of sorts. Its possible that you might decide to shoot five day weeks and then switch over to a six day week or vice versa.
Occasionally I have the opportunity to travel and work on films that are shooting around the world. One of the challenging factors I have faced when shooting in a city or state that does not have a huge talent pool is finding background actors.
Most recently I filmed a movie in Kentucky and was tasked with the assignment of finding hundreds of volunteers to be background actors in our film. Because the budget was very tight the budget I had for background actors was used to feed them and hire someone to help me find them.
Here are the steps I did to recruit hundreds of volunteers in a small town in Kentucky: