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Name: Adam
Hometown: Highland Park, IL
Occupation: Production Assistant
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What attracted you to the Entertainment Industry, and what was your first job or big break in the business?
I love movies, always have, and always will. The desire to become involved in the filmmaking process was so strong that I knew it was the correct path for me to follow. This is my first job on a major motion picture.
What is the biggest challenge you faced trying to break into the industry, and how did you overcome it?
The competitive nature of the field. So many people are competing for so few available jobs. You must persevere if you wish to make it in this business. Make friends, make contacts, and work your ass off.
What advice can you give those trying to break into the "industry?"
Quit dreaming of a fantasy world of big salaries, fast cars, and movie stars as friends. You must be prepared to put in as much effort as possible, most often in a highly unglamorous arena.
Please describe your job for those who might not know what a Production Assistant is.
Think of a movie set as a well-oiled machine. While the large gears perform larger "more important" tasks, the smaller gears must perform theirs as well. If one small gear stops working, it will cause negative reactions all through the machine. I guess you could liken a P.A. to a small gear. We take care of all the things that allow the large gears (director, A.D., etc) to function smoothly and properly.
Can you share any tricks of the trade that help you work faster/cheaper/better?
Always be organized. This is the most important tip I can give. Every minute, every detail must be scheduled, and adhered to as strictly as possible. Things always take longer than you'd expect on a set, so plan accordingly. It's better to come back the next day than rush through a job in one day.
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.
A P.A.'s work is usually not translated directly to the screen. However, I never hesitate to point out bad filmmaking. These are some of the worst: "North," "The Mummy," "Disturbing Behavior," "Action Jackson," "Bloodsport," "I Still Know What you Did Last Summer," "Armageddon," "Pearl Harbor," "The Last Action Hero," and "Gone in 60 Seconds."
Are you a writer, and if so, how many screenplays have you written?
Yes, I write as a hobby. I have completed 3 feature-length screenplays.
What's the best lesson you've learned in regards to working in Hollywood?
Listen. Understand how the set works, understand what the responsibilities of each person are. Listen and learn from situations that arise and how they are handled. Stay out of people's way, but always be there for anything they might need. Erase the word "no" from your vocabulary.
What advice would you give to writers on how to craft a script that addresses practical production issues?
First of all, never censor yourself. The benefits of writing are too great to limit yourself in anyway. Don't worry about budgets, logistics, and other production issues. The creative process should not be forced or hindered. Eventually, you'll find yourself writing a script that has more "practical" production values. This means very limited special effects, and trick shots, and fairly few locations (these locations cannot be too extravagant). Keep the story fairly grounded in reality. Keeping the story in an "everyday life" scenario will help guide your writing in a "practical" direction. This is necessary for any film with a low budget.
What advice would you give a director on how to make production easier?
Hire people that know what they're doing. If you have confidence in your crew, you can relax and concentrate on the task at hand. A film set should be very controlled and very professional. Time restrictions are almost always a factor, and if you have people running around, confused and screaming at each other, the production will not run smoothly. The crew of this film has really come together in the short time that we've been in each other's company. We're very organized and professional, which has produced an exceptionally wonderful working environment.
List your top 5 favorite films
- A Clockwork Orange
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
- Barry Lyndon
- Psycho
- Citizen Kane
**Please feel free to add other comments here
Long Live Pete Jones!
Most people won't realize how exceptional of a project this is. There was a very high likelihood of having a 1st time director produce an unorganized, unprofessional piece of crap. I am thrilled to say that it has been the complete opposite. Pete has been a consummate professional, stead fast to his vision. He has a remarkable ability to deal with people in logistically complex situations. He has a wonderful approach to working with actors. My entire experience with Miramax, LivePlanet, and Project Greenlight has been immeasurably valuable and will be a part of my life that I will cherish forever.
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