Oh, the people you’ll meet
One of the great things about working in the film industry is working alongside like-minded people who don't fit the 9-to-5 office mold that so many end up making their lives. These are members of society who generally march to the beat of a different drummer as they have chosen an odd lifestyle that clearly fulfills them. Like carnies, the folks who build up and take down the circus day after day, filmmakers are some of the most interesting people you’ll meet, and not just because of their film experience. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know many of them both on and off the set because, after 60 hours a week, you end up talking about everything under the sun. I find a simple “So, what do you do in the real world?” is all it takes. It's fascinating to learn that you’ve been standing next to someone for months and this is actually their side gig. I urge you, as you embark on your journey, to get to know the people around you. Sit with new people at lunch, engage with people during breaks, ask questions and listen. I promise you, you’ll come away with stories of some of the most fascinating people you will ever meet..
Some of the folks I am lucky to have known and some who I still do:
The stand-in who was an exceptional sleight of hand magician, taught me tricks, made me a personal map of all the cool stuff in the Magic Castle, and got me an invite.
The standby painter who introduced me to her friend who was a Native American medicine man and invited me to visit him in his home cut into the side of a mountain.
The actress who had been doing Bikram Yoga for years and forced me to join her every Sunday on location.
The DP who went to law school, became a lawyer, and then realized he wanted to make movies instead.
The actress who was a trained stunt driver and scared the pants off me one day out in the desert.
The camera assistent who is one of the premiere diorama makers in the world and has created intricate displays that take years depicting everything from Elvis’ last moments to the sets of classic horror films.
The script supervisor who voiced Sally in Peanuts cartoons as a kid.
The DP who was a news cameraman and spent 30 days embedded with the Tamil Tigers.
The key grip who sang Doo-Wop like you’ve never heard before.
The director who is a well-known international artist before he even started directing.
The electrician who had been part of the Bulgarian mob.
The loader who has one of the largest Metallica t-shirt collections around, attends every show, and as a result, knows the band personally.
The DP/producer who wrote a bill that became law in California.
The script supervisor who went to Julliard and is an accomplished harpist
The DP who is a world class speed skater
The AD who, everywhere he went on location, would put together the most amazing bands using local talent and cast and crew.
The fabricator who was Moe Howard's granddaughter (of Three Stooges Fame) and had the greatest stories.
The special effects artist who blew up the Death Star!!!!!
An operator who on the side paints better watercolors than you’ve ever seen.
The actor who was the second most decorated veteran of World War II and you’d have no idea.
The standby painter who is an accomplished artist and has an incredible gallery and following.
The DP who grew up in a house without electricity and understood light because of reading by candlelight.
Iggy Pop.
The grip who spends weekends fighting medieval knights wearing a suit of chainmail he created himself.
The executive who hung out with Ken Kesey, Wavy Gravy, and lived on The Hog Farm.
The director who would travel with two trailers of impeccable suits so he never wore the same one twice.
The stand in who built incredible custom furniture out of hardwoods, the likes of which you’ve never seen.
The DP who grew up on a commune.
Iggy Pop
The actor who would routinely get arrested at protests and had the time built into his contract.
The operator who rode his bike cross country.
The PA who bakes the type of cakes you’d see in expensive bakery windows…just for fun.
The dolly grip who built his own plane and went to school in a one room schoolhouse.
The on set dresser who lives off the grid as a squatter with his wife and child.
The actor who helped create a program designed for enough people to get arrested that it would overwhelm the system and force change in society.
The operator who, as a child, had to be smuggled out of Saudi Arabia.
The director who started out as a trained watchmaker.
The fourth-generation dolly grip whose great grandfather started the union.
The costumer who is a top notch civil war reenactor.
People with cool nicknames like Cool Breeze, Poodle, Crash, Cat In The Hat, SuperDave, Matches, The Godfather, Clean, Buzz…
Iggy Pop
