So I've been on hiatus for a week now and finally had the opportunity to drink socially with some of the people I work with. I did my best not to be the guy who made the drunk a$$ hole out of himself, and succeed rather easily.
One important thing I picked up on, which I felt was key, was I constantly found myself in situations listening to other people who have reached a very mild amount of success gabbing incessantly about their accomplishments and talent. I sat politely and listened, and restrained myself from showing how boring and annoying they were.
I know that it's key not to make any enemies, but the fact of the matter is YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LIKE EVERYONE YOU WORK WITH. In fact, there will be some people who are just genuinely horrible people. But it's important to
A. Treat them with the same respect as everyone else.
B. Don't EVER complain to a coworker about another coworker. It will get around, people will talk.
I have found myself in a unique position. Being on a show where it is common to have a conversation with the director or EP's on any given day. It is a small cast/crew and everyone treats each other like family. In fact, many of them are. If you find yourself on a small crew, you must stay positive and speak highly of everyone. If there is an air of descent in your voice people will pick up on that and most likely will not side with some dopey intern over their coworker.
Bottom line...STAY POSITIVE!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The Lingo
In all likeliness if you intern on a production you have the roll of a PA, that's a production assistant. Your job will be supervised by the Assistant Directors and you will have to inform everyone else on and off set as to what's going on shooting wise. I was not aware of any of the lingo that people use on set, and embarrassed myself during the first week. While people realize that you are still learning, it helps if you know the basics. No one was angry, they were just amused.
The first AD will most likely yell the following cues to inform everyone of what's going on, you will echo these...
Picture's Up - The cameras are set and ready to begin rolling on the scene.
Rolling - yeah...they're rolling
Cut - You guessed it
Going Again - rolling will commence immediately after cut has been called
First Team - The cast that will be performing the scene
Second Team - the stand ins
Martini - The last shot of the day
Grace - the last shot before lunch
Wrap - Game over folks
Ten One - polite slang for bathroom ( Hey intern, cover me, ten one)
Flying In - rushing towards set
Moving On - Setting up for the next shot
Crafty - craft services in charge of food
Distro - distribute (Hey kid, distro these call sheets)
PR - Production Report
Locking Set - making sure everyone is quiet and not disrupting the shot
Call Sheets - The schedule for the day
Prelims - a preliminary call sheet for the next day
There are more that have probably slipped my mind, so if you can think of any drop a comment. Most of these are basic, but you will most likely spend your days speaking via walkie talkie. And the more concise you can make your conversations, the better.
-DB
The first AD will most likely yell the following cues to inform everyone of what's going on, you will echo these...
Picture's Up - The cameras are set and ready to begin rolling on the scene.
Rolling - yeah...they're rolling
Cut - You guessed it
Going Again - rolling will commence immediately after cut has been called
First Team - The cast that will be performing the scene
Second Team - the stand ins
Martini - The last shot of the day
Grace - the last shot before lunch
Wrap - Game over folks
Ten One - polite slang for bathroom ( Hey intern, cover me, ten one)
Flying In - rushing towards set
Moving On - Setting up for the next shot
Crafty - craft services in charge of food
Distro - distribute (Hey kid, distro these call sheets)
PR - Production Report
Locking Set - making sure everyone is quiet and not disrupting the shot
Call Sheets - The schedule for the day
Prelims - a preliminary call sheet for the next day
There are more that have probably slipped my mind, so if you can think of any drop a comment. Most of these are basic, but you will most likely spend your days speaking via walkie talkie. And the more concise you can make your conversations, the better.
-DB
Barack me Obamadeus
One amazing thing that happened to me today, aside from seeing Kevin Sorbo in the lot next door, was talking my way out of standing around and locking the set to go and shadow one of the editors. I realized that if you have a positive attitude, and literally say that you want to learn and observe all aspects of production, any sane individual will allow you to do so.
If you stand around all day and accept everything as they have given it to you, you will never move. You have to take initiative and find a time when you aren't particularly needed to go and meet the people in other departments. Well, I guess you don't have to, but it helps. Even though I didn't learn too much about editing because they were logging dailies, I spoke with people who took an interest in what my plans are. The one editor has a roommate who is a represented writer and has agreed to introduce us to each other.
So while I could have stayed outside echoing "rollings" and "cuts" to deaf ears. I politely requested to learn something new and met someone who could potentially help me.
If you stand around all day and accept everything as they have given it to you, you will never move. You have to take initiative and find a time when you aren't particularly needed to go and meet the people in other departments. Well, I guess you don't have to, but it helps. Even though I didn't learn too much about editing because they were logging dailies, I spoke with people who took an interest in what my plans are. The one editor has a roommate who is a represented writer and has agreed to introduce us to each other.
So while I could have stayed outside echoing "rollings" and "cuts" to deaf ears. I politely requested to learn something new and met someone who could potentially help me.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
10 Things Every Intern Should Know
So I thought I'd start things out with a little top 10 list. Here's what I have realized after my first month at Sunny.
10. This Is Your Grad School
There's no masters degree for production, screen writing, editing; none at least that I know of anyway. Agreeing to an internship is signing on for a learning program. Always be eager and willing to learn. Even if you already know how a greenscreen works, talk to the director about why they are using one. If you can't get that close to the people at the top, ask your superiors as many questions as possible. Be advised, it's best not to talk just for the sake of conversation, everyone else is busting their ass all day and probably wont have time to talk about the Cubs game. But always ask work related questions when you're curious, and don't act pretentious. Take initiative, but don't assume.
9. Introduce Yourself to EVERYONE
I don't care if it's the EP or some day playing transpo driver, make sure you formally meet everyone. The biggest mistake you can make is to stay quiet around the people you work with. Don't hide. Chances are, you will come in contact with everyone at some point where a conversation could present itself. If you stand next to someone long enough with out formally meeting, it becomes awkward. Remember, they probably already know who you are. But be polite and outgoing anyway.
8. Study Up
Know your show, read the scripts, imdb the staff, know the crew list. There's no worse feeling then having the rare experience of a director explaining his dilema and decisions when shooting a scene, and you have no idea what the scene is about. TRUST ME.
7. Please, Thank You, and Smile
Trust me. If you look like you can't wait for the whistle to blow, people will notice. If you're enthused to get the extras breakfast, it can only lead to more opportunities. And always be standing. Chances are you will have a PA-like positions, don't sit, it looks bad.
6. Play It Safe
If you smoke, don't do it on set. Don't brag about drinking, etc. While this is often a great way to bond with the other assistants and make friends that you will work with in the future. It could cause problems with your superiors. Be aware of your surroundings when talking about your party life. But don't be afraid to hang out socially with other people at work. Especially...
5. Befriend Your Peers
These are the people who will be on top within a matter of years. Don't try too hard to invite the 50-year-old EP's out for fine dining. If you have the opportunity to meet outside work, TAKE IT. But make sure you quickly turn your same-aged coworkers into friends. It only takes one persons success to establish dozens of careers.
4. Mind Your Ego
It puts people off. Don't start bragging about your 120 page super villain/vampire movie the second you meet people. It wont take long for someone to ask what you are interested in doing in this business, and even less time to get excited about helping you if they like you. People are always looking to take you under their wing, it's a big step for them as well to have an eager and willing apprentice.
3. Know Who Your Friends Are
A friend of mine gave me priceless advice after I got my first pilot picked up by a very successful EP. "Don't let your dick get too big." The second you start bragging and alienating people because you currently have a slightly higher advantage than they do doesn't mean you wont see them again when you hit rock bottom. This business is the perfect screenplay, arcs and twists you can't imagine. In my situation, the production bombed, the script was butchered, and everyone involved is still at square one. Keep the friends you make; they call them contacts out here for a reason.
2. Love Your Job
Whether you're on Big Brother 47, or Entourage, you have a very rare and valuable opportunity. While it's important not to develop and ego, it's ok to realize you have a really amazing gig. Always show how excited and grateful you are for this opportunity.
1. THIS IS YOUR GRAD SCHOOL
You aren't getting paid, you are here to learn, it is what you make it.
Keep up with your work. Agents wont care if you shoot 16-hour days. Go home and write, shoot, edit, etc. You are still learning, but pretty soon you will have to prove what you know. And you wont have the luxury of taking your time when there are bills to be paid.
If you ever have any questions, or great internship stories. Feel free to email me at dannyborrelli@gmail.com
- Dan Borrelli
10. This Is Your Grad School
There's no masters degree for production, screen writing, editing; none at least that I know of anyway. Agreeing to an internship is signing on for a learning program. Always be eager and willing to learn. Even if you already know how a greenscreen works, talk to the director about why they are using one. If you can't get that close to the people at the top, ask your superiors as many questions as possible. Be advised, it's best not to talk just for the sake of conversation, everyone else is busting their ass all day and probably wont have time to talk about the Cubs game. But always ask work related questions when you're curious, and don't act pretentious. Take initiative, but don't assume.
9. Introduce Yourself to EVERYONE
I don't care if it's the EP or some day playing transpo driver, make sure you formally meet everyone. The biggest mistake you can make is to stay quiet around the people you work with. Don't hide. Chances are, you will come in contact with everyone at some point where a conversation could present itself. If you stand next to someone long enough with out formally meeting, it becomes awkward. Remember, they probably already know who you are. But be polite and outgoing anyway.
8. Study Up
Know your show, read the scripts, imdb the staff, know the crew list. There's no worse feeling then having the rare experience of a director explaining his dilema and decisions when shooting a scene, and you have no idea what the scene is about. TRUST ME.
7. Please, Thank You, and Smile
Trust me. If you look like you can't wait for the whistle to blow, people will notice. If you're enthused to get the extras breakfast, it can only lead to more opportunities. And always be standing. Chances are you will have a PA-like positions, don't sit, it looks bad.
6. Play It Safe
If you smoke, don't do it on set. Don't brag about drinking, etc. While this is often a great way to bond with the other assistants and make friends that you will work with in the future. It could cause problems with your superiors. Be aware of your surroundings when talking about your party life. But don't be afraid to hang out socially with other people at work. Especially...
5. Befriend Your Peers
These are the people who will be on top within a matter of years. Don't try too hard to invite the 50-year-old EP's out for fine dining. If you have the opportunity to meet outside work, TAKE IT. But make sure you quickly turn your same-aged coworkers into friends. It only takes one persons success to establish dozens of careers.
4. Mind Your Ego
It puts people off. Don't start bragging about your 120 page super villain/vampire movie the second you meet people. It wont take long for someone to ask what you are interested in doing in this business, and even less time to get excited about helping you if they like you. People are always looking to take you under their wing, it's a big step for them as well to have an eager and willing apprentice.
3. Know Who Your Friends Are
A friend of mine gave me priceless advice after I got my first pilot picked up by a very successful EP. "Don't let your dick get too big." The second you start bragging and alienating people because you currently have a slightly higher advantage than they do doesn't mean you wont see them again when you hit rock bottom. This business is the perfect screenplay, arcs and twists you can't imagine. In my situation, the production bombed, the script was butchered, and everyone involved is still at square one. Keep the friends you make; they call them contacts out here for a reason.
2. Love Your Job
Whether you're on Big Brother 47, or Entourage, you have a very rare and valuable opportunity. While it's important not to develop and ego, it's ok to realize you have a really amazing gig. Always show how excited and grateful you are for this opportunity.
1. THIS IS YOUR GRAD SCHOOL
You aren't getting paid, you are here to learn, it is what you make it.
Keep up with your work. Agents wont care if you shoot 16-hour days. Go home and write, shoot, edit, etc. You are still learning, but pretty soon you will have to prove what you know. And you wont have the luxury of taking your time when there are bills to be paid.
If you ever have any questions, or great internship stories. Feel free to email me at dannyborrelli@gmail.com
- Dan Borrelli
Since they wanna know
In an attempt to start a blog surrounding the trials and tribulations of interns in the entertainment industry (and a promise to avoid naming future posts after songs by the rejects from D12) I have created this blog.
My biggest wish is that I was Batman. My second biggest wish is that someone would have given me some sort of insight as to what goes on during the everyday life on an intern in television.
I am a screenwriting major at Emerson college currently in my second internship. I work on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and reside in bright and shinny Culver City.
I will use this blog to post my experiences, as well as the skills I have noticed work when it comes to getting noticed as an intern.
There are many roads you can take to get where you're going, and every show is different. I promise to give advice to the best of my ability and be honest in my assessment of what I believe it takes to make it as an intern.
My biggest wish is that I was Batman. My second biggest wish is that someone would have given me some sort of insight as to what goes on during the everyday life on an intern in television.
I am a screenwriting major at Emerson college currently in my second internship. I work on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and reside in bright and shinny Culver City.
I will use this blog to post my experiences, as well as the skills I have noticed work when it comes to getting noticed as an intern.
There are many roads you can take to get where you're going, and every show is different. I promise to give advice to the best of my ability and be honest in my assessment of what I believe it takes to make it as an intern.
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