So your asking yourself, "How do I become a producer?" A question I have asked myself many times. Even though I have been a producer on several projects the reality is that I don't usually get paid for these projects. For a long time I thought that these early producing attempts where worth nothing more than a learning experience. Then something happened that changed my paradigm.
I was on the set of a show that I freelance on as a PA. It's a major network show so I can't say what it's name is but it films' in Chicago and has known talent in it.
I was gathered around the 1st AD as we where waiting for a lighting change and he was casually talking to the other AD's and Set PA's. He was kind of bragging but he also gave us what I think can be one of the Keys to success in this Industry. Now maybe you have already figured this one out, I know if somebody said this too me I might not get it right away. But think about it before you pass it off as banked knowledge and see if your thoughts about indie films doesn't change slightly.
The 1st AD said this:
"No, I only worked as a PA for one show."
(At this point I was very interested in what he was saying because I have been grinding away for three years.)
"What I did was work on Indie features as a 2nd then as a 1st AD and I had all my book days done."
So, for those of you who don't understand what this means let me break it down for you as I understand it.
PA- Production Assistant (makes a day rate of $130 - 150.00 +/- per day) An entry level job basically. The reality is in Chicago is that anybody can be an additional PA. You just have to know someone. Which as you might imagine is easier said that done.
2nd 2nd AD - This position is not mentioned but it's basically doing all the AD stuff the 2nd AD doesn't want to do.
2nd AD - Does the call sheets, assists the 1st AD makes sure reports are turned in on time, handles AD Staffing/Personnel issues.
1st AD - Controls the Schedule for the whole show...The title fully reads, "The First Assistant Director". This would seem to indicate that this person works for the Director. They actually work more for the Producers and studio heads. Kind of like the "Boss's voice" on set.
Money, now I mentioned what A PA makes. The rest of these guys make a lot more. All are DGA positions and the 2nd AD and the 1st AD get a % of the Gross earnings of the show based off of what the Union minimums are and there specific contracts.
With all that in mind here is what he said, loosely translated.
"I worked as a PA one time because I did a bunch of crappy shows that where still registered with the Union so I got DGA credit for the days I worked. SO, by the time I had three movies done I had all of the criteria met to Join the Directors Guild (aka DGA)."
This is sound advice to becoming a member of the DGA and getting your hours, or "your book" together.
I thought about this, and since I don't have my heart set on being a 1st AD. I changed the language to reflect what it would take to make it as a paid producer.
The trick is Indie Features with a budget. Indie shorts are also good, the only requirement is that they have money attached. The project can have all sorts of problems, you just need to be an associate producer on it and work with/for the "Producer".
This is where things get tricky and I will go over some of the things I am using to navigate the implementation of this in another post.
That's it for now, hope this helps.
