Puerto Rico Needs a Movie Crew
- Posted on 16th October 2017
- in Entertainment, entertainment books, Film Production, film production book
- by Ben
My brilliant wife, Elizabeth Hepburn, when watching a story about the logistical disaster that is Puerto Rico opined that, “They need a [movie crew] production manager down there.”
I explained that what they needed was a First AD because the PM is (mostly) in the office and the AD is on the set. Then I began thinking what I would do first should General Kelley appoint me as First Assistant Director for PR. I would call Don Cerrone and the Lowry Brothers and Jim Cooper and; well I won’t give you the whole list of Master Grips but I’d need several grip crews. I’d call the teamsters…
That’s when it hit me.
What they actually needed was part of a (huge) movie crew. Our crews break down to “Departments” and six categories are needed.
As First AD I’d need a Production Department with whom I could communicate, a great Second AD and both a PM and a Location Manager’s team to handle the logistics of the shooting schedule — I mean the disaster relief plan.
The Grip Department is akin to the WWII SeaBees or the Army Corps of Engineers, facilitating everyone else. Grips are adept at rigging of every imaginable kind. They also build sets, hang lights for the electrical department, enable rigs for the Property Department and are responsible for safety on set and location.
Key Grip Bill Lowry
Duties and skills of the other departments are well known to us film folks but for the uninitiated I’ll elucidate. (These and all the other departments are discussed in detail in my memoir Circumstances Beyond My Control.)
The Property Department comprises multitalented and multi-skilled folks who do everything from acquiring and arranging furniture on a set to making a rich head on a glass of beer. They would be in charge of helping people salvage, cleanup, repair and otherwise organize physical belongings.
The function of the Electrical Department in the case of Puerto Rico is somewhat self defining. Supplying and operating generators, running cables and setting lights where necessary and restoring refrigeration would be their primary jobs. These people have done this in desserts, on frozen mountaintops, at sea and on the streets of New York. They can do it anywhere.
Here I must interject that “We can’t do that.” is almost never to be heard coming from the mouth of any movie crew technician. We are people to whom a seemingly impossible task is an exciting challenge and we rarely leave a challenge unresolved.
“Craft Services” is something folks see on movie credits but probably don’t understand. They are the food people. When the crew arrives at 5:00 AM on a remote location there they are with gallons of coffee and a breakfast spread that could put the Waldorf to shame. Lunch and dinner and midnight snacks arrive (or are created in their mobile kitchens) at the right times and served by friendly ladles.
Makeup and Hair Departments won’t be called but the Wardrobe Department will be very welcome to people who are wearing the same tee shirts and shorts they had on when the storm hit.
You may notice that I have mentioned neither a Cinematographer nor a Director. That’s because no photography or artistic guidance are required for this project. It’s all about logistics and hands-on support.
Did I mention the Teamsters? Yes I did. ‘Nuff said.
It would be nice if someone in DC could loan us some cargo helicopters. We have pilots.
If you’d like to read more about movie crews, film production and other inside tales about making movies click here and get Circumstances Beyond My Control.
Tags: Film Crews, film production, location shooting, Movie Crews
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