How you value yourself and move up in this industry properly and intiligently.

So for 25 years I have been doing this for a long time, I work more as a producer and director and have done a lot of the pre-work myself. The most dangerous thing is prepping with friends if they’re trained it can be fun. If you find yourself on a teaching set this will increase anxiety because you may be the only one on set who is trained. I am at the point where working for a smaller sum to have more creative control has come to end. I have decided to continue in the median of visuals and story telling. I am just taking on a new avenue of visual story telling more doc style and less film style. I’ve worked for people in germany england the us and canada. I did a lot of post then one thing I hit ten thausand hours on for way too many things. Just find your niche and you do you. Work as a PA even be an intern and throw out trash get in the door.

This will bring you to the best of places always be respectful don’t think you know everything on day 1, you will get into trouble. and may not be brought back. This buisness requires leather skin emotionally. Nice sets and mean sets can be toxic from a bad first AD or a salty old dog like me who sees problems a younger team member doesn’t. Sometimes there’s an issue with this. From my experience wanting to be a DP or a Director there is a propper way to this. A lot of the younger generation likes to buy a cinematographer or Director or any position you start as a PA you bring them coffee spark up a convo with them. This is the best way to work up from PA to Camera PA to 2nd AC to 1st AC then an operator this way you understand the dynamics of everything. We can’t all show up out of nowhere and make sometimes people do. It’s very rare just keep working and you will get there.

Hardwork and always learning the craft wether it’s youtube videos or getting onset learn from the older generation we are coming into a scenario where you can be onset.

Always value yourself and your worth when you start it won’t be pretty, you won’t make much to begin but work with the departments you want to be in. be smart and don’t let a production only abuse you. If you see no point of growth it may be time to move on find a new oppurtunity and as I use camera department as an exemple as your IMDB page grows and your CV/Resume you should be able to make it as a camera PA and then work your way to the 2nd AC position.. LEarn the circle of confusion algarythm/triginomitry to find your distsance. Don’t chase focus always take time use softtape(tape measure that’s more of ribbon style) that can lock in the nodal, which is this little circle and line where the sensor is to the talent. then knowing that distance there foot and meeter marks on your lenses even your photography lenses. You should have perfect foccus make marks accordingly.

Your worth and own mental capacity is more important than the job, never be taken advantage of and always know everyone on set is a real person and should be treated accordingly. Saftey and well being means more than me then any award. I myself have lost too many friends in this buisness it was not something I’ve done onset but the wear and tear isn’t for anyone. Sometimes when you get there it may only be a dream. I have been blessed to be on multi-million dollar sets and barely any pay. I recomend you value what you are doing and be atleast paid above minimum wage where you work in case it goes over minimum wage and you are fed every six hours.

Be smart don’t burn yourself out always take your time, I come from an oldschool world yelled at by older and much more experienced they can be kind or salty but they will guide you. They will support you unless you disrespect them walking in screaming I’m ready to shoot handing out buisness cards. You have to be respectful and ine of the most dangerous mindset is when someone feels they deserve a bump and start back talking running on set for no consideration for other’s saftey. “The Hero of the day” is rewarded for hard work and intelligent actions.

Don’t get people hurt, don’t endanger the set and please work your way up. There may be times you don’t want to shoot underwater and have your first AC shoot and you pull focus. You Don’t want to take on this experience without having the experience to step in and do the job, all be it underwater shoots do alot for chasing focus.

Know your craft and be kind to others respect their systems they are a guiding light to your next experience.

Welcome to the “Dirty indie” blog

My experience in the film industry started working for Kid Rock and MTV in catering then there were internships for christian company that was interesting to say
the least, the day I quit the company across the hall hired me. I am acceptionally trained in the technical side of film. Film for me is family and my crew are
my responsibility.

I’ve worked on hundred million dollar bayhem projects to robert rodreguiz’s 4th interpitation of spy kids. television commercials and documentaries, the paranormal and otherwise a true narrative.

If we were neanderthau;s I’d be recording my friends and I’s stories in cave paintings. I have written variations of this blog multiple times and here’s what never gets old. The lack of safety and well being of the employees on set.

The last time I wrote on this subject matter was “Sarah Jones” #SlatesForSarah #WeAreSarahJones only to realize here in the year 2024 we are coming up to the trial of Alec Baldwin The Producer vs New Mexico and it’s the same story. Making the day is more important than the lively hood of your employees. A blank gun misfires and kills Brandon Lee while filming the crow. Sarah Jones killed by a train attempting to do right by crew and save the camera cart. Halyna Hutchins was shot by a 45 colt which had live rounds in the weapon. There were no safety checks and the whole scenario with weapons being misfired on a set. Crew walked for saftey reasons they hired local non union employess they were 3 hours behind and no one did a saftey check with the weapon it was declared cold. Mr. Baldwin has said he did not pull the trigger. This weapon the peacenaker colt 45 is a single action weapon the hammer has two stages to fire the weapon and will not go off unless the trigger is pulled. This July Alec will be on trial for creating an unsafe set by trying to move faster and cut corners as one of the 9 executive producers should be held liable for these actions.

I can’t even think of a moment when this would ever be able to process it, this woman was someone’s daughter, a little boys mother, and a wife. Here’s the deal when you decide to make a film you are responsible for the safety and well being of every member on your set. Their lives are in your hands and this is why production insurance is so iportant going through safety meetings and training so this does not happen is truly invaluable. I never want to tell a parent, someone’s partner, or their child that we had an unsafe scenario and we un intentionally killed your loved one. Safety is the morst important part of any set they should be fun. They should never endanger the safety and well being of anyone else.