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Absolutely flabergasted! 25 y.o. crew member gives my client his business card
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Oh, so your children speak for the entire youth generation? If I was your kid, id probably grow up dis-functional too.
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You really aren’t doing yourself any favours here.
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Oh darn.
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Late to the party here.
I’ve seen both sides. I had a hired camera guy give his card to my client. Seemed a bit odd, although neither I nor my client were within 1000 miles of our homes so that card is probably in a landfill somewhere. In other words, probably not a big chance to steal my client – he was merely introducing himself.As far as a client is concerned, your crew works for you.
On the flip side – same client, different shoot. The client asked the local camera guy about future work and the local camera guy deferred to me showing professional courtesy.
But it is not the end of the world. If you think it is a problem, say something privately to each party, or just let it go based upon your own experience and judgement. Not worth making a federal case out of most things.
Most flabbergasting is how threads can get out of hand with personal attacks. Not professional at all. We’re all here to ask for and receive free advice.
If you ask your neighbor the dentist if he thinks you need a filling, and he says you should consider teeth whitening, I don’t think you’d get into an argument with him if you disagreed. If he told you to see a plastic surgeon, that might be worth a tussle!
Mike Cohen
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Real late on this one… but ned, what will you say when a client doesn’t want to hire anyone over 50 yrs old? age shouldn’t matter (and i’m 38 for the record)
Scott Cumbo
Editor
Broadway Video, NYC -
Hi Scott,
Busy last week so could not respond. Yes there is definite ageism in this biz. The only benefit of getting older (besides accumulating wealth) is you get more experience and wiser, otherwise it’s all downhill! I’d say as a DP once you get to your late 40’s you aren’t getting the calls for jungle and mountain shooting for one thing. This is actually a pretty cruel industry to try to grow old in (a little easier in post production) unless your name is on the door. But let me ask you your opinion. Here’s a typical scenario:
Get a call for an early morning, high stress shoot:
• Downtown skyscraper, underground loading dock, stiff security, need to roll by 8AM so call at dock is 6AM, crew cars already parked. Should I even consider crew that works part time as bartenders, actors or wait staff and were up till 2:30AM? Single guys out at the clubs? I digress, don’t answer that one, wait. Here’s the deal:
• Get to the location and told the CEO or busy celebrity wants to do just one take and has to get out of there. Teleprompter. Client wants the “view” of windows behind subject (even though sunlight will stream in). Subject is a dark black man, bald, sweaty, wearing a white shirt and glasses. Client adds a three step walk to the shot.
So in this scenario, do I want my soundperson, grip and prompter operator to be around 45 years old with 20 years of experience? 55 years old with 30 years of experience? Or do I want the crew in their mid-twenties with just 2 years of experience? Perhaps for their “youthful energy” as mentioned in earlier posts?
Me? I prefer the crew with the grey hairs…
And if that same shoot was in a far out suburban location the crew members who do not own a car, meaning they don’t know the ins and outs of the city traffic patterns, and they rent a car and rely on what the GPS or Mapquest says as estimated times, my experience is that they will be late 100% of the time. And I have a lot of experience in that situation.
Age brings experience and car ownership promotes punctuality. When you think about it our main task is to minimize Murphy’s Law. I’m very good at that!
All the best,
Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com
www,bizvideo.com -
I thought I was done, but just one more little thing:
It’s not always clear which is the smarter bet in terms of hiring married men versus young bachelors. Family men know exactly what’s at stake for a job, sure, and the fact they are family men suggests some stability and trustworthiness… but they also are open to extra sudden emergencies when one of the kids gets sick or has an accident or some scheduling problem pops up. Young bachelors, like it or not, due to “having no life”, are considered more “available” should a day go into overtime, start too darn early, or if the schedule needs to flex, only because nobody else is depending on them but themselves, …and maybe a pet.
The best crew mix is just that: a mix of ages and expertise.
Younger types may not have learned everything yet, but they question a lot of things, and you wind up re-evaluating the reasons for things when they do. Sometimes, they will be right to ask: “Why are you (still) doing it that way?” Fresh eyes can offer a different perspective.
On the other side, it never hurts to have at least one crusty old guy full of stories, with the onion on his belt. He’s the one that thinks of the stuff you didn’t, has already made the mistakes you haven’t yet, dealt with every personality type, and learned the weaknesses of each. He knows the shortcuts and work-arounds. He doesn’t need to check the manual because he knows the settings by heart. He knows where the food, drinks, bathrooms, docks, and breaker panels are. He only ever makes one trip out to the grip truck, because that’s all he needs. And at least SOME of the interminable stories will be darned funny and kill time while you’re waiting for something to get ready on the set.
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Hey Mark,
What do you mean onion on a belt? I never heard that expression.
Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com
www,bizvideo.com -
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