I am part of a very independent (no budget) episodic production that is slated to begin filming shortly. We have been in pre-production for a few months, as every person participating is doing this in exchange for the experience and credit. I am one of two "creators", the writer, and part of the small ensemble cast.
This is the first project that we have written and worked on that has reached the actual "shoot" stage. Another reached the first read-through and rehearsal, and a few others are still in the story writing stage. (I am also writing for an episodic for someone else, but that has nothing to do with this project).
One of our many challenges is scheduling the actors and small crew. We have two "crew members" who agreed to be our DP and PA. They committed to the first shoot date - which is IMMINENT - and suddenly, have "disappeared". They won't return calls or emails to confirm call time/equipment usage regarding the upcoming shoot, let alone committing to future shoot dates that we are trying to schedule (one day a month). Everyone has day jobs and we are all trying to make it in our own areas of interest and expertise, but I don't understand the non-communication .
Because this is a very small production (I can only help during production during the first shoot day because I am not in that episode, and won't be able to help much during future shoots because I am in about 1/4-1/3 of future scenes). We are considering looking elsewhere for assistance, but given the timing of our shoot, it's virtually impossible to get someone new on board and up to speed for this week. It bugs me because person involved has training and (some paid) experience, but just haven't made the leap from hobby to professional (yet). When they agreed, they were just as excited as we (the creators) and the cast were.
Is this common in no-budget projects? (I can guess the answer to my question, but I wanted to hear it from those of you who have been through it). How do you deal? Rhetorical question, but why the avoidance? If you want to quit, just say so....don't flake!
Thank you in advance for listening.
This is the first project that we have written and worked on that has reached the actual "shoot" stage. Another reached the first read-through and rehearsal, and a few others are still in the story writing stage. (I am also writing for an episodic for someone else, but that has nothing to do with this project).
One of our many challenges is scheduling the actors and small crew. We have two "crew members" who agreed to be our DP and PA. They committed to the first shoot date - which is IMMINENT - and suddenly, have "disappeared". They won't return calls or emails to confirm call time/equipment usage regarding the upcoming shoot, let alone committing to future shoot dates that we are trying to schedule (one day a month). Everyone has day jobs and we are all trying to make it in our own areas of interest and expertise, but I don't understand the non-communication .
Because this is a very small production (I can only help during production during the first shoot day because I am not in that episode, and won't be able to help much during future shoots because I am in about 1/4-1/3 of future scenes). We are considering looking elsewhere for assistance, but given the timing of our shoot, it's virtually impossible to get someone new on board and up to speed for this week. It bugs me because person involved has training and (some paid) experience, but just haven't made the leap from hobby to professional (yet). When they agreed, they were just as excited as we (the creators) and the cast were.
Is this common in no-budget projects? (I can guess the answer to my question, but I wanted to hear it from those of you who have been through it). How do you deal? Rhetorical question, but why the avoidance? If you want to quit, just say so....don't flake!
Thank you in advance for listening.
