I’ve recently started working on the post production of a couple of pilots for The History Channel. I was brought in as I often am, as a pinch hitter to see the shows through to delivery.                                               

Ironically this was actually a job I interviewed for over the summer but they went with a different PM and Supervising Producer. It really reinforces to me in stark clarity how people use titles to boost their wage bracket without actually having the skills required for the position.

In this particular show there is an obscene amount of footage shot without any consent and worse, in NYC tunnels, Police Officers and Customers Inspectors. I simply cannot get over how many so called producers have absolutely no idea about editorial compliance. The idea of shoot it now and worry about it later is clearly the motto of those who have no experience in post. (One email exchange between Coord and PM included – I’m sick of this post shit – as they tried to establish shooting formats with the network). What worries me is that the people who worked on these shows are people who I know, with experience in the same shows and companies as me. The mind boggles really how they manage to get so far with only half the skills they need to get their job done.

It is however a lovely challenge for me, which I’m definitely rising to. I’ve managed to cut the post deal of the century with the makers of 30 Rock no less (yes I went with them for the hope of a glimpse of Tina Fey). I’ve developed an excellent workable schedule, which sees us delivering the day before Thanksgiving; a full week before air date. I’ve got a team of APs and Interns clearing archive at the rate of knots and I believe they’re actually beginning to understand that just because something is in the script doesn’t mean it can’t be changed.

It’s nice to be working again, particularly after such a difficult six months. I can only hope it continues to go well, there are a lot of graphic elements, aspect rations and resolutions to be checked and verified before the week is out.

Tags: Movie Bloggers, Film Blog, Actor, Television, Movie Theatre

I’ve recently started working on the post production of a couple of pilots for The History Channel. I was brought in as I often am, as a pinch hitter to see the shows through to delivery.                                               

Ironically this was actually a job I interviewed for over the summer but they went with a different PM and Supervising Producer. It really reinforces to me in stark clarity how people use titles to boost their wage bracket without actually having the skills required for the position.

In this particular show there is an obscene amount of footage shot without any consent and worse, in NYC tunnels, Police Officers and Customers Inspectors. I simply cannot get over how many so called producers have absolutely no idea about editorial compliance. The idea of shoot it now and worry about it later is clearly the motto of those who have no experience in post. (One email exchange between Coord and PM included – I’m sick of this post shit – as they tried to establish shooting formats with the network). What worries me is that the people who worked on these shows are people who I know, with experience in the same shows and companies as me. The mind boggles really how they manage to get so far with only half the skills they need to get their job done.

It is however a lovely challenge for me, which I’m definitely rising to. I’ve managed to cut the post deal of the century with the makers of 30 Rock no less (yes I went with them for the hope of a glimpse of Tina Fey). I’ve developed an excellent workable schedule, which sees us delivering the day before Thanksgiving; a full week before air date. I’ve got a team of APs and Interns clearing archive at the rate of knots and I believe they’re actually beginning to understand that just because something is in the script doesn’t mean it can’t be changed.

It’s nice to be working again, particularly after such a difficult six months. I can only hope it continues to go well, there are a lot of graphic elements, aspect rations and resolutions to be checked and verified before the week is out.

Tags: Movie, Oscars, Movie Theatre, Hollywood, Filmmaker