|
|
|
|
|
Name: Jeff
Username: JeffBalis
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Occupation: Co-Producer
|
What attracted you to the Entertainment Industry, and what was your first job or big break in the business?
My first job was a one-day stint as a P.A. on a "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" commercial, but my "big break" was being hired as an unpaid intern by Chris Moore to answer phones in the "Best Laid Plans" production office.
What is the biggest challenge you faced trying to break into the industry, and how did you overcome it?
As a terrible assistant, my challenge was to try to get promoted before getting fired. Not particularly adept at things like rolling calls, I concentrated instead on what I was more interested in, like creative script notes.
What advice can you give those trying to break into the "industry?"
Write a good script that stands out but has a modicum of commercial possibility. Find someone you respect and try to work with/for them. Get close to the power. Get on a movie set in a low level position and retain what you see.
Please describe your job for those who might not know what a Co-Producer is.
A Co-Producer is to Producer like co-pilot is to pilot. The Producer (and hyphenate producer) is the manager that mediates between the interests of the studio and the creative vision of the director.
Can you share any tricks of the trade that help you work faster/cheaper/better?
Know where your bread is buttered: be nice in general, but be especially nice to assistants - particularly if you are one. They will save your ass.
Please illustrate the way the performance of your position can help or hurt a movie. Name a movie that you've seen (or worked on) that we could view and understand the difference between a good job and a bad job.
The most important job of a Producer is to hire a good Director. There are plenty examples of where that didn't go so well. Picking a good script and casting are also fairly important.
Are you a writer, and if so, how many screenplays have you written?
I've made short films in college but haven't written any screenplays.
What advice would you give to writers on how to craft a script that addresses practical production issues?
Cut out the nighttime exterior battle scenes. No children.
What advice would you give a director on how to make production easier?
Make decisions quickly. Pretend like you know what you're doing (works for professions other than directing too).
List your top 5 favorite films
- Delicatessen
- Aguirre: The Wrath of God
- The Hudsucker Proxy
- Lone Star
- Fletch
**Please feel free to add other comments here
Taken from Instant Rice: stir occasionally.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
