I recently signed on to direct 2 episodes of a web series for a local producer/actress. There were several red flags right off the bat...
Script Format issues (ie. Scenes were labeled as EXT but read "Actor walks inside..... etc." Things like that throughout. Made no sense.)[/LIST}
Didn't have a schedule (When asked she literally said "I thought you were doing that")
Didn't know how to do call sheets or understood the importance of one
No 1st AD or much of a production crew at all
Could go on...
Every industry friend told me not to work on it, but it did have things that made me want to attempt it for my reel and career development.
Pro actor with 20+ years experience
Great local DP
a subject matter I have been wanting to tackle
overall more directing experience under my belt.
So, I went ahead and did most preproduction, showed her how to do certain things, while still doing my script/character/story analysis and shot lists with the dp.
Well, the shoot was stressful, but we really made some magic happen. I designed and blocked shots and really pulled some great performances out of certain actors, and was complimented all around throughout by the cast and crew. In fact, I was approached by everyone at the end of the shoot and was personally thanked for my professionalism and creativity. It was a great experience, until the producer/main actress sends me an email filled with personal attacks against how I ran the set. (for example, it was mentioned in the letter that she felt incredibly disrespected on set because I said "We have to move on whether we have it or not" while trying to get a safety of a shot so the camera op can land a focus mark. Or, I was told by the producer that we needed to move along quicker so I designed shots that didn't need a lot of coverage, then she demands we get closeups of her face that were not necessary to have and took an additional 45 minutes to relight... things like that) All of this happened with a low/no pay crew working up to 20 hours each day because the schedule was improperly made and finalized by the producer.
The only other thing I have to mention is I learned long ago that nobody should have an ego on set. I made sure every one on set knew we didn't have time for egos. For example, I don't know how many other directors would actually hold a light for his DP/Cam Op to save them from having to go get a c-stand and save time to get the shot finished before moving on. However, I was accused of being the only one on set with an ego based on her letter.
Long story short (too late....I know), now this producer is withholding footage from me for my reel and moving on shooting additional elements without involving me, not allowing me to be included in the post production process, didn't add me to the IMDB page as director, and will mention everyone else in the crew except for me on any posts about the project.
As a creative person who really busted my ass to make these two episides leap years better than the first (which was made as a 48hour fest submission and quite poorly put together... what for yourself here, feel free to comment on the video. I had nothing to do with it, but I think it could use some constructive critism intended to thicken skin.) I took it quite personally and am seriously upset over the whole thing. I honestly believe I created some of the best visual story teling of my career and am being blocked away because the producer is holding a personal grudge based on common set lingo used all the time, especially in an incredibly rushed situation with I as director had to step up and become 1st AD at the same time just to have something watchable and not miss sunlight on the next setup. Ultimately, I feel it hurts the overal project and takes away the greatness it could have been. What's best for the project should always come first in my opinion.
What would you do, or what advice do you have for me to move past this in a positive manner? It wouldn't be such a confusing issue for me if I didn't know that the whole crew, which were about 1/3 professionals and 2/3 newbies, said I was the best director they've worked with in town... it really seems like a complete power hungry move from somebody who doesn't want to admit that they don't know what they are doing. I know I shouldn't have taken the gig, but then I wouldn't have created some great stuff and met some great people. All I want is footage for my reel and be done with this "producer".
What would you do in my situation?