{"id":713,"date":"2014-11-16T09:36:31","date_gmt":"2014-11-16T17:36:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/guysreadingpoems.com\/?p=713"},"modified":"2015-01-12T09:47:43","modified_gmt":"2015-01-12T17:47:43","slug":"running-your-set-time-and-money-saving-tips-from-our-line-producer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/guysreadingpoems.com\/grp_wordpress\/2014\/11\/running-your-set-time-and-money-saving-tips-from-our-line-producer\/","title":{"rendered":"Running your set: time and money-saving tips from our line producer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bradley Bernstein is not just a dear friend and my manager (through his company Fast Track Management<\/a>). He’s been nominated for a Tony award and won an Olivier award for producing theatre and has a lot of experience producing television programming here in Los Angeles. When I told\u00a0Bradley\u00a0about “Guys Reading Poems” and our idea to transform its original concept from a new media piece to a feature film and how we were in over our heads, Bradley GENEROUSLY stepped on board to help – as our line producer. He worked tirelessly and went WAY beyond the call of duty. We couldn’t have done it without him. Here’s what he had to say about his function on our film. Some of his tips will doubtless save you time, money and headaches.<\/p>\n

Hunter: So Bradley, you did a fantastic job line producing “Guys Reading Poems.” Thank you. I’m trying now to make sure I learn as much as possible as we prep the second feature. So looking back at “Guys Reading Poems” from a line producing perspective, what would you say was harder than anticipated and what would you say was easier than anticipated?<\/p>\n

Bradley:\u00a0Thank you, Hunter. \u00a0I would say it was a bit more difficult merging the new media project that was filmed a year earlier with the ultra low budget shoot.* \u00a0I think because no one really had any experience with that type of merger we just had to figure it out as we went. \u00a0I think the wardrobe ended up being easier for me than I anticipated. \u00a0We had a LOT of costumes considering our budget. \u00a0I mean a lot of costumes. \u00a0But our wardrobe department really came through and I did not feel the pressure at the end of the day that I thought I was going to feel.<\/p>\n

Hunter: We spent a good chunk of our budget on soundstage rental. A lot of low budget indies shoot on location, so this was a big decision for us. From your perspective, was it worth it? Do you think indie films should consider soundstages even if it sounds like sticker shock at first?<\/p>\n

\n
\"A<\/a>

A photo of TTS Studios, the soundstage where we shot “Guys Reading Poems”<\/p><\/div>\n

Bradley:\u00a0The soundstage approach was the perfect choice for us! \u00a0In retrospect, I would have negotiated the deal for the stage a bit different but I would not have changed my mind about shooting at one. \u00a0We saved so much money at the end of the day for our particular film. \u00a0I think each project has its own needs so there are no specific rules in this regards. \u00a0I would say keep an open mind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Hunter: The SAG-AFTRA ULB contract allowed us to work with both union and non-union actors. Did this present any challenges? Any notes for other filmmaking teams here?<\/p>\n

Bradley:\u00a0This did not present any challenges in regards to the actors themselves. \u00a0You do have to remember there are different types of paperwork to fill out. \u00a0Educate yourself!!! \u00a0Make sure you ask your SAG rep lots of questions!! \u00a0A line producer has a lot of responsibilities and you don\u2019t want to be wasting your time filling out paperwork multiple times because you used the wrong form!!!<\/p>\n

Hunter: We had a number of scheduling challenges with GRP, especially with our child actor and all the regulations surrounding that. Do you have any general advice to other filmmakers regarding scheduling? Any advice specifically about scheduling with child actors?<\/p>\n

Bradley:\u00a0OK child actors LOL. \u00a0This was the first film where I had the opportunity to work with a child actor. \u00a0I have to say I was a bit nervous. \u00a0There are a LOT of state rules and union rules! \u00a0But don\u2019t be\u00a0scared!!! \u00a0Everyone I worked with from the child\u00a0actor\u2019s agent and manager to the on-set teacher were great. \u00a0They were happy to walk me through the regulations. \u00a0No one wants to see you violate and no one is there to take advantage. \u00a0So don’t worry! You just need to understand the rules in advance so you can schedule your shoot appropriately. \u00a0Kids need breaks on set differently than adults. \u00a0Also, you need to watch them – make sure they are not getting tired. \u00a0Yes, there are rules to protect them but you should protect them beyond the rules and account for that in your schedule. \u00a0We had a 7 year old. \u00a0He was GREAT. \u00a0But if I saw him getting tired or a bit antsy I pulled him from set for a 20 minute leg stretch. \u00a0Know that you will need to do this. \u00a0It is good for the kid and good for the production. \u00a0Also – have toys on set (ask the parents what their kid likes)!!!<\/p>\n

Hunter: I noticed you switched from one budgeting software to a different program midway through the process. Can you tell us your preferred budgeting software and why? Any tips on using this sort of software?<\/p>\n

Bradley:\u00a0Yeah, this was a time killer. \u00a0I am not sure I want to name the first software product we used. \u00a0It was not one I was familiar with. \u00a0We used it because it was the system my predecessor on the project had used so we felt it would be more efficient to stick with the same program. \u00a0WRONG! \u00a0It was buggy! \u00a0I mean really buggy! \u00a0Also, stick with what you know. \u00a0What works for you! \u00a0Movie Magic<\/a> works for me!!! \u00a0I like the program! \u00a0I understand the program!!! \u00a0If there is a better one out there, I am happy to take the time to learn it, but right now that is the one that works for me. Here is my tip. \u00a0There are great online vids that teach you how to use the software. WATCH THEM! \u00a0Also – Save, Save, Save your changes!!<\/p>\n

Hunter: Oftentimes, you served as a liason between the department heads and rest of the producing team. Can you talk a little bit about working with people and the strategies of dealing with the various departments?<\/p>\n

Bradley:\u00a0In my opinion the line producer is the hub for all the department heads. \u00a0As such, there should be a constant flow of communication between the line producer and all the departments. \u00a0I like to make sure when in production I am visiting all the departments on a regular basis. \u00a0Make sure all the heads and their entire staffs are happy. \u00a0Even more than just being happy, I want to make sure everyone knows they can come to me with problems. \u00a0I cannot fix something if I don\u2019t know it is broken. There are a LOT of personalities on a film set. \u00a0Most of the time people don\u2019t know each other before coming to set. \u00a0So there is potential to make new friends, but there is also the potential to not get along. \u00a0I am not just running the budget on a show. \u00a0I am making sure that the wheels and cogs of a set are running smoothly. \u00a0So if people don\u2019t get along, I need to know and be there to help!<\/p>\n

Always stay calm! \u00a0As a line producer, try never to take sides in disagreements! Listen to what everyone has to say. \u00a0In the end, you have to decide not was is necessarily good for an individual, but what is good for the entire production. \u00a0You will not always be popular, but you have a job to do\u00a0– to\u00a0make sure the production stays on budget and stays on schedule. \u00a0Keeping that in mind, you accomplish this goal by continually checking in with your departments and making sure you are informed! \u00a0You are not only judge, but you are jury and you have to take that very seriously! \u00a0Most people think the director is the leader on a set but that is not entirely true. \u00a0The director is the leader of the creative vision and with his\/her team runs the set while the camera is rolling, etc. \u00a0But the director is not running the action off the set and nor should he\/she. \u00a0Part of my job is to keep any\/all problems away from the director (as much as I can) so he\/she can stay focused on the creative vision of the film.<\/p>\n

Hunter: To advise newer line producers, what one line item are they probably underestimating the most and what line item might they be overestimating?<\/p>\n

Bradley:\u00a0To new line producers: \u00a0You are always underestimating your entire budget! (LOL) but apparently I am supposed to pick a single line item. \u00a0Geez that is hard. \u00a0I would say FOOD! \u00a0Never every skimp on food! \u00a0Feed the machine and the machine will work! \u00a0I find that a lot of line producers overestimate how much they are going to pay on cameras\/lightening\/electrical. \u00a0That just comes from experience.<\/p>\n

Hunter: Some of our readers might be newer to dealing with agents and managers. Any tips on the courtesies or strategies involved in communicating with an actor’s team, especially if they are to be cc’d on information relevant to the line producer?<\/p>\n

Bradley:\u00a0Agents and managers are people too! \u00a0Don\u2019t be afraid of them! \u00a0There is really not a lot of interaction between a line producer and a talent rep, to be honest. But on a smaller film, a line producer tends to handle a lot more, so I would not be surprised if you end up having to contact a rep. \u00a0Just explain who you are and what you need. \u00a0Most reps are more than happy to take care of you. \u00a0If the rep asks you something outside of your area, just politely explain that it is not your purview and redirect them to the correct person. \u00a0Never answer a question that you don\u2019t know the answer to!<\/p>\n

Hunter: What has been your happiest memory working on “Guys Reading Poems” so far?<\/p>\n

Bradley:\u00a0My happiest moment was the move in day at our sound stage. \u00a0I love move in days! \u00a0All our crew get to meet each other (if they have not already). \u00a0We get to settle in to our areas (me included). \u00a0It is like the first day of camp. \u00a0Finding our way. \u00a0I love producing film and tv shows. \u00a0So the first day is the start of the adventure. \u00a0The last day is the saddest. \u00a0I want to be a far away from the sad day as possible. \u00a0I also really enjoy the by myself time during the development process when I first start building a budget. \u00a0That is my zen time!<\/p>\n

Hunter and Bradley talk on a daily basis, occasionally order in pizza\u00a0from Lucifer’s\u00a0and are in the process of developing new material for both film and television, including Inside-Out, Outside-In<\/em>.<\/p>\n

*Editor’s note: Some footage was shot and originally registered as a new media project with SAG-AFTRA for “Guys Reading Poems.” We never released that footage because we decided to incorporate it into a larger piece – a feature film. We then obtained permission from SAG-AFTRA to change our contract from New Media to SAG ULB, but with that change caused some practical and paperwork challenges.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bradley Bernstein is not just a dear friend and my manager (through his company Fast Track Management). He’s been nominated for a Tony award and won an Olivier award for producing theatre and has a lot of experience producing television programming here in Los Angeles. When I told\u00a0Bradley\u00a0about “Guys Reading Poems” and our idea to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":718,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pre-production"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/guysreadingpoems.com\/grp_wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/713","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/guysreadingpoems.com\/grp_wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/guysreadingpoems.com\/grp_wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guysreadingpoems.com\/grp_wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guysreadingpoems.com\/grp_wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=713"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/guysreadingpoems.com\/grp_wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/713\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":720,"href":"https:\/\/guysreadingpoems.com\/grp_wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/713\/revisions\/720"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guysreadingpoems.com\/grp_wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/guysreadingpoems.com\/grp_wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=713"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guysreadingpoems.com\/grp_wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=713"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guysreadingpoems.com\/grp_wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=713"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}