Attn: INDE FILMMAKERS Words to the wise: Graft is common in this business, especially in big budget films, unfortunately, the mindset leaks down into INDE filmmaking where thereÕs no extra blood to suck. 1) Get a strong box with a pad lock to keep in the camera truck for your film. Just shot a feature in 12 days with only 40,000 ft of Kodak 500T. Finished the film with all necessary coverage with 32,000 ft. Needless to say, 4,000 ft disappeared to the tune of about $1,000. Make the Loader sign a waiver that he is responsible for all missing film and only he and the Line Producer have the keys to the strong box. 2) GRIP/ELECTRIC had 6guys during checkout, but documentation of actual stock checked out was nebulus. After return of equipment, we are being billed for 8 ÒCÓ stands missing or broken, plus extras like broken lenses. We shot a short film and a 35mm rock video with a Lighting guy with his own equipment and truck and never broke or lost one item. This approach of hiring someone with their own package/truck is way more cost effective. We also come to find out from Gunner Grip/Elec. that the guy that worked for us on this particular shoot, had 8 stands missing from his last shoot, which we corraberated with the producers of said last shoot. 3) Every shoot seems to have employees fired and replaced. Make sure that everyone who gets a walkie, leaves their drivers license with the 2nd A.D. at checkout. We replaced our Line Producer, 1st AD, 2nd AD, 2nd 2nd AD on 2/22/99. They checked their walkies back in but, the costumer and a P.A. said the 1st AD asked to borrow both of their walkies. Hence, two Walkies....walked. Then a week later, P.A. gets fired and another walkie disappears. IN YOUR CREW DEAL MEMO: Make sure thereÕs a clause that everyone is financially responsible for their own equipment and itÕs replacement. In big budget films, the insurance company picks up the losses. But in INDE filmmaking, the deductible can be from $2500 to $5000 at the back end which is money alotted for Editing. These incurrances have slowed down the momentum of our film and made us have to use lesser qualified editors, because of the lack of $$$ and added alot of unnecessary stress and hours to the backend cleanup process of post principal photography. 4) Locations: We rented a professional location in an industrial park with several sets already set up. Problems: A) The manager of the location shows up 15-20 minutes late to open up. B) Coffee is not made when crew shows up and adds to a late set up time and momentum. ÒCraft service must be making coffee 15 minutes prior to crew callÓ Each 15 minutes to 30 minutes is another camera/lighting setup lost. C) Crew take it upon themselves to rent items from the Location without approval from the production office, hence another bill on the back end. D) Location is not fully soundproof - Trains, airplanes and trucks ruin shots. E) Manager and Location Electrician mooch lunches each day, but charge extra for toilet paper (not part of the contract and no rider). F) Take a camcorder into each location and video the condition of everything, from the ceiling to the floors, desks with broken legs, to windows, etc. before the crew enters the building.......One location tried to blame a ripped painting on us, upon further investigation by the art dept. the back of the painting had been taped up with electrical tape earlier. If thereÕs an area in the location where expensive items are kept, keep a P.A. as look out and video items to protect against false claims. 5) Make sure your producers have ALL permits for locations. Three days at a location in San Gabriel Valley, by the 2nd day, the neighbors got pissed and started throwing paint balls into the set and City Marshall shows up, making us cram for the shots, everyone running on adrenaline.....accident prone and settling for less in actor performance and lighting setups. PANIC does not make a fertile filmmaking ground. PRODUCTION OFFICE: Set up accounts at TWO processing facilities. Fotokem was so backed up, we couldnÕt get dailies until after the shoot was over. Had to pay cash at another facility, instead of open account. Catering: Each plate the caterer hands out equals $10.00 10 extra plates a day = $100 x 12 day shoot = Foley GOOD LUCK AND WATCH YOUR BACK. The Wood 3/99