The Dismantled production–thoughts from a PA
These are some notes on the past couple of days of production from A guest blogger, are dismantle PA Eric Grisanti:
CHALLENGES on Dismantled set:
1. Time - After renting three nights at the Holiday Inn, it seemed as though time wasn't a problem until halfway through day one and we had just gotten started on the first scene. Although this worked out on day 2, when we were given the chance to focus and spend more time on the final scene of the pilot.
2. Small space and heat - Small space with almost thirty people in two rooms was claustrophobic enough, but when the set was cut down to one room on one of the warmest days of the winter, along with not being able to open the windows as it would ruin the scene -- we were just asking for trouble.
3. Food - The crew may have gotten overzealous with lunch. Everyone was excited about shooting and having a late lunch left everyone hungry, so at no fault of our own, we may have gone over budget on our extra fries and side orders of another gourmet meal altogether.
4. So many people trying to help hurts when everyone is trying to get an idea across and none are getting through and the same problem continues. Too many cooks in the kitchen can be stressful
POSITIVES on Dismantled set:
1. Everyone on cast and crew did their fair share of work from running to get shaving cream when there wasn't anymore for the makeup artist, to social media being done in the mess of shooting and setting up going on.
2. Learning experience, even for the experienced. People from all ends of the set were hands on, making sure the best product and effort was put forward. If someone needed help, everyone offered theirs, and in turn learned a little something new every time.
3. Everyone being able to be creative and collaborative. From the PAs to the sound guys - everyone showed interest in developing the best of the everything. The entire crew felt comfortable giving their opinion on script, shots, editing, future episodes, etc. Everyone did and wanted to invest their time.
4. Friendships were made after the first day. Many courageous crew members went out for drinks with cast and crew they had just met and still made it in the following morning
5. Too many cooks in the kitchen helps when it's used to the creative advantage.
6. Editor on set gives us an advantage no one else has. Not only can the director give his take on the editing, but so can everyone on set and in crew. With our director producing and acting in the main role, he can't always be there, so instead, everyone working on the project can be his eyes and ears.
7. ???Interaction with pedestrians for b-roll???
See it all at http://www.thedismantled.com
