Driving for the movies

I finally got to see Hostiles. I wanted to see I in a theater, but didn't get to. It was at a Redbox machine so I checked it out tonight. Great film. Powerful message. I felt a sense of pride from my small participation in its production.

 

My buddy used to do it here in southern ca for one of the studios. Said it was union and stupid money (butt load) but it's all nepotism, you gotta know someone to get you in, regardless of if you already have a union card or not

 

I hear you about that Closed Shop and nepotism thing. Besides the movie stuff I took, I picked up some sets for TV from Boston heading for Los Angeles. While in Massachusetts I talked with some Teamster guys. They were all old road dogs, twenty five or thirty years on the job. They paid their dues and then some.

 

Same thing with acting. Had my SAG card for 2 years before I gave up (had a great VP job anyway). Bribed by way into three Taft Hartley extra gigs (pay to play the right person in production/casting), that got me SAG eligibility. Had to do 2 non-union commercials to pad resume because no matter how well I auditioned, or who my agent knew, it wasn't enough to even get an under-5 part that was SAG.

 

At least you tried. Going after your dreams is always tough. I performed as a singer for many years. Still do but just for fun. It was always the same turn downs trying to get that big break. The closest I got was when a friend, a TV producer tried to get an associate of his to use me in a country music video. I bore a resemblance to a legendary star when he was young. I was going to be in a flash back scene.

The video producer went with another fellow.

 

When the state offered incentives for shooting films here production companies used local teamsters for grips and equipment operators.
Lots of hurry up and wait work but had to be ready when called for even if it meant 10 minutes of work on a 12 hr shift.
If I recall back then prevailing wage was 30-35 p/h plus OT. This was in the 90s.
Most guys would continue to work when film crews came to town, some for weeks and sometimes months.
All the Grumpy Old Men, Mighty Ducks, Juno, Mall Rats and other films used local labor.
A full time movie production job would be a great career but there are many of those type gigs out there, just a bit less prestigious like trade show, industrial and music or event shows.
A friend just rented her house out for 5 weeks to the production crew of the Tough Mudder obstacle course event and told me they make 27 per hour plus OT after 40.
They are loading out now and head next to Aspen for 5 weeks.