Working in Film: Why Film?
13:52
Hello, Lovelies,
So I decided to answer a few
questions that people had/have been asking me about my job.
Yes, I work in the BC Film Industry in
Vancouver. I started it last year and have kind of been hooked ever since.
I am what is called a Set Dec Coordinator,
I assist the Set Decorator with making sure all the paperwork is taken care of
between vendors and the accounting office. I make sure that deliveries and drop
offs are done on time by our delivery workers, keep track of our budget, making
sure that we aren’t going over and letting the Decorator know when we have
money for something or if we have to cut spending. I make sure people’s
timesheets are submitted so that they get paid and sometimes I even help with
decorating if they need me. It is not an easy job though, so don’t get the idea
that it is.
Film hours can be long. My work day can be
anywhere from 8 hours to over 20. Sometimes I get paid overtime, and sometimes
I don’t. It all depends on what kind of show I am working on. I am currently
working on movies that are considered NON-UNION, which means that I have less
rights and I am on my own when it comes to approaching production companies if
I feel like I am treated unfairly, however we do however still have contracts
and rights within those contracts that we can bring up. You just have to know
what is in the fine print and how to deal with the people you’re working with.
I would say that so far my experience in
this industry has been positive, with only slight bumps so far. But I have
learned so much from it and feel like working in film brings out the drive in
me, I feel like I function in a higher capacity in this type of job than in any
other work that I’ve worked in. Probably because of the workload I carry.
Why film? Well there was multiple driving
reasons as to why I entered the film industry. Firstly, one of my closest
friends worked in film and raved to me about how I should pursue it! Secondly,
when I first entered I was a complete newbie and didn’t have a clue where to
start, but I was so scared about getting off of maternity leave and going back
to retail that I felt like anything might be better… and I would probably
regret it if I didn’t at least try it out. Thirdly, the rush… really there is
nothing like it that I have ever experienced. Everything is so fast paced and
sometimes it feels like the days blur together… but after my first few months
in film… I already had graphics and art in the two films I had worked on and
had helped designed sets as well. Then when you step back and watch the
finished product you can’t help but breathe in and revel in seeing all that
work you did turn into something amazing… or sometimes not amazing but knowing
you worked on it… now that’s satisfying. Fourthly, the pay is nothing to snivel
at… definitely worthwhile… knowing that by working on one or two movies
depending on the length will pay me more than a part-time retail job will in a
whole year… now that’s super motivating. Also knowing that you can take huge
chunks of time off if you want too is also such a benefit, especially if you
have children you want to spend time with… like me.
It’s hard, being away as much as I am from
my son, but knowing that when a show ends I can take maybe a month or two off
and just focus on him… that’s a nice thought… maybe go travel somewhere nice?
I see film as fun, but very hard work,
that pays well for the hard work that you put in. I couldn’t be more thankful
for the people I have met, for the jobs that I have had, or the experiences I
wouldn’t have gone through had I not been in film.
Now I am currently working on a film and
studying to enter union so I can be looked after better, as well as my family,
get paid more, and maybe work on some films you’ll actually see in Theatres!
Till then I will keep puttering away,
growing and learning more and more!
XoXo,
Hadessah
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