When you work on location the production company pays you "idle days". Basically it's a half day of pay each for Saturday and Sunday to compensate for any jobs you may have missed out on if you had been at home. It's in the union/guild contracts and most studios pay it to everyone who travels (except for the lowly production assistants).
Guess who doesn't pay idle days to accountants? The studio who wants to hire me to go to New Orleans. Umm, I don't think so. The whole point of going on location is to make extra money through idle days, housing, and per diem. Why go if there's no benefit?
I think I'm going to have to say no - just not worth it.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
NOLA 2
I have officially turned down the WWE movie - just don't want to do an independent film on location with Renny Harlin.
As for the studio project, I called the accountant and told him I was interested, but needed more info before I made a decision. He doesn't have all the details yet so it may not happen anyway, but it's still a possibility.
As for the studio project, I called the accountant and told him I was interested, but needed more info before I made a decision. He doesn't have all the details yet so it may not happen anyway, but it's still a possibility.
Monday, November 26, 2007
NOLA
Is this a sign? I've gotten 2 calls today on shows going to New Orleans. One is with Sony (called Mardi Gras) and the other is a wrestling movie by the WWE.
I've never been to NO and I'm not sure I want to go. If I do, it would definitely be on someone else's dime.
I would like to work on location after this guinea pig movie is over. If the actors strike then I want to make as much money as possible. I'm just not sure I want it to be in NO.
I've never been to NO and I'm not sure I want to go. If I do, it would definitely be on someone else's dime.
I would like to work on location after this guinea pig movie is over. If the actors strike then I want to make as much money as possible. I'm just not sure I want it to be in NO.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
1909-2007 JRT
Well, Granny passed away on Thursday morning and it's been non-stop since then. The husband called me around 9:15am and told me the news. I started looking for plane tickets, tried to find a dog-sitter (ended up calling the kennel), called the cat-sitter, called the funeral home, and found a replacement for myself at work. All this while trying to finish getting paychecks out. Thank dog my assistant is good at his job - I'd have never made it without him.
We took the red-eye back east and basically ended up being awake for over 24 hours. Took a short nap when we got in then drove down to the funeral home. It's a blessing she lived in a small Southern town because they did so much to help us out. We finally figured out where her first husband was buried (in her family plot since her parents outlived him). There was a spot left open for her so that's where she went. Otherwise she would have been buried head-to-head with her daughter which might not have gone over so well...
Anyway, we picked out a casket and a suit, wrote the obituary and arrainged for the service. It took less than an hour.
Time to go home and crash now - more tomorrow.
We took the red-eye back east and basically ended up being awake for over 24 hours. Took a short nap when we got in then drove down to the funeral home. It's a blessing she lived in a small Southern town because they did so much to help us out. We finally figured out where her first husband was buried (in her family plot since her parents outlived him). There was a spot left open for her so that's where she went. Otherwise she would have been buried head-to-head with her daughter which might not have gone over so well...
Anyway, we picked out a casket and a suit, wrote the obituary and arrainged for the service. It took less than an hour.
Time to go home and crash now - more tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Bookworm
I've had a game of Bookworm going since Saturday or Sunday. I was over 500k points and still going strong. My stupid computer did an automatic update last night and restarted itself. Gone, it's all gone. Damn.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Clyde
Nothing new on Granny at the moment but with the help of my mom we've just about found out where her first husband Clyde Roberts (the husband's grandfather) is buried and whether there's a plot for her with him. He apparently died in 1966 and there's a good chance something was done then for her. Not a fun topic but there it is.
Write a will, keep it current, and let everybody know where the damn thing is.
Write a will, keep it current, and let everybody know where the damn thing is.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Granny
The doctor from the nursing home called this morning to tell us Granny had a stroke over the weekend and it doesn't look good. Apparently she's been declining for the past week or so. Of course, the woman is around 100 so it's not surprising. We don't know how much longer she has but I do know Betty was called to her "deathbed" on a pretty regular basis and she pulled through.
I've been calling the nursing home and the funeral home, trying to find out if Granny had any arrangements set up and no one knows of anything. I've arranged it with the funeral home to get a plot (only $300 for the land and $500 for the digging and the tent/chairs, etc).
Now all we can do is wait for the call, get tickets, and fly east. We'll pick out a casket and schedule the service when we get there.
I've been calling the nursing home and the funeral home, trying to find out if Granny had any arrangements set up and no one knows of anything. I've arranged it with the funeral home to get a plot (only $300 for the land and $500 for the digging and the tent/chairs, etc).
Now all we can do is wait for the call, get tickets, and fly east. We'll pick out a casket and schedule the service when we get there.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Strike Stuff
Whenever someone opens the door, I can hear the honking of car horns in support of the writer's picketing the studio. And I've been reading about several shows that are shutting down because the actor's won't cross the lines.
I wonder how long it'll last - the support, I mean. It's all good now because most people haven't had a chance to NOT get a paycheck...
Anyway. We got new script pages today but they're dated 11/3. I wonder how accurate that is.
I wonder how long it'll last - the support, I mean. It's all good now because most people haven't had a chance to NOT get a paycheck...
Anyway. We got new script pages today but they're dated 11/3. I wonder how accurate that is.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Writer's Strike
The husband is a member of the Writer's Guild and has been called to duty this week - he's picketing outside a studio during the afternoon shift. Therefore I feel I have the right to say something about what's going on...
Although my job hasn't been affected and probably won't be, there's no guarantee I'll be able to get work when it's wrapped. Come January, if the strike is still on, I may be out of luck. There are some people who are out of luck now and more who will get laid-off in the coming weeks and months. Despite all that, I think the writer's are doing the right thing.
I read a comment on a news site - the author compared selling s script to selling a painting. Basically, if they create a painting and sell it for $1000 that's all there is and they shouldn't expect any more. Fine, but what would happen if the buyer of that painting took that image and made postcards and magnets and coffee cups and mouse pads and umbrellas and t-shirts and tote bags and prints and anything else you can think of - and walked away with $1 million dollars? Would the painter still feel ok about it or would they want a piece of that pie?
The studios make money from the advertisers but the ads don't run by themselves. They are embedded into scripted content that someone created. That someone deserves a percentage of that profit. It's not like most of the people are millionaires. Yes, they make good money but they don't work 52 weeks a year and they aren't guaranteed to work from one year to the next.
Anyway, not many people read this blog and the ones who do already know what I think about the strike. I'mnot trying to change any minds, just clearing my own.
Although my job hasn't been affected and probably won't be, there's no guarantee I'll be able to get work when it's wrapped. Come January, if the strike is still on, I may be out of luck. There are some people who are out of luck now and more who will get laid-off in the coming weeks and months. Despite all that, I think the writer's are doing the right thing.
I read a comment on a news site - the author compared selling s script to selling a painting. Basically, if they create a painting and sell it for $1000 that's all there is and they shouldn't expect any more. Fine, but what would happen if the buyer of that painting took that image and made postcards and magnets and coffee cups and mouse pads and umbrellas and t-shirts and tote bags and prints and anything else you can think of - and walked away with $1 million dollars? Would the painter still feel ok about it or would they want a piece of that pie?
The studios make money from the advertisers but the ads don't run by themselves. They are embedded into scripted content that someone created. That someone deserves a percentage of that profit. It's not like most of the people are millionaires. Yes, they make good money but they don't work 52 weeks a year and they aren't guaranteed to work from one year to the next.
Anyway, not many people read this blog and the ones who do already know what I think about the strike. I'mnot trying to change any minds, just clearing my own.
Scam Update
We finally heard back from the casting director about the background actor...
"ALSO, I spoke with our "friend" MS. It is a big long story, but bottom line is that he WAS a part of a scam (KS had to leave for another shoot, and supposedly called a friend who called MS to come and "replace" him). MS claims to be innocent in that he didn't know he was doing anything wrong, just trying to get work, needs money...etc... He claims that he can't even get in touch with KS. I yelled at him and told him, of course, that he will not be paid for that day, etc... I have also since had KS kicked out of his service for this. I told MS that if he needs money, he should get a job."
I do love it when people get busted.
"ALSO, I spoke with our "friend" MS. It is a big long story, but bottom line is that he WAS a part of a scam (KS had to leave for another shoot, and supposedly called a friend who called MS to come and "replace" him). MS claims to be innocent in that he didn't know he was doing anything wrong, just trying to get work, needs money...etc... He claims that he can't even get in touch with KS. I yelled at him and told him, of course, that he will not be paid for that day, etc... I have also since had KS kicked out of his service for this. I told MS that if he needs money, he should get a job."
I do love it when people get busted.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Payday Surprise
Today is Thursday which is payday for the film industry. Our checks were ready early so I called the different off-production departments and told them to come and get 'em. The Special Effects department called back to ask if there was anything we needed from them and I said "roses, any color" then asked Colin what he wanted (fireworks). The SPFX Foreman joked about bringing Colin a 16lb bomb - I have no clue what that actually is but said we'd take it out into the parking lot and blow it up.
When the SPFX PA showed up, he had a dozen red carnations in a beautiful bouquet for me! Some people look down on carnations but to me, a flower is a flower and they are all pretty. I got a coffee can out of the trash (no vases) and cut the stems down. It's sitting on the file cabinet and it's really nice - makes me feel appreciated.
Now if I could just get that actor I helped on the phone to cough up...
When the SPFX PA showed up, he had a dozen red carnations in a beautiful bouquet for me! Some people look down on carnations but to me, a flower is a flower and they are all pretty. I got a coffee can out of the trash (no vases) and cut the stems down. It's sitting on the file cabinet and it's really nice - makes me feel appreciated.
Now if I could just get that actor I helped on the phone to cough up...
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Oops
I just did the math on the costumer that I've been overpaying for the past 6 weeks (@ $4/hour). She owes us $1694.00. Luckily her check for last week will cover it but I'm giving her the option of having it split over 2 checks.
Damn I hate making mistakes like this. I had to write a note to her and tell her I fucked up and apologize and I just know she's going to call. Plus I found out she's Jack's costumer of choice. Lovely.
Damn I hate making mistakes like this. I had to write a note to her and tell her I fucked up and apologize and I just know she's going to call. Plus I found out she's Jack's costumer of choice. Lovely.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Tattoo Drama
Damn, that tattoo shop is filming again and I just know my tattoo isn't cool enough to get me on the show and they probably aren't taking appointments. The only think I could do is a walk-in and then I'd have to deal with the artist I want being there and the price being right.
Getting a tattoo shouldn't be this much drama.
Getting a tattoo shouldn't be this much drama.
Pissy
This morning I was pissed off at everything. I don't know what was wrong with me but it wasn't pretty. I snapped at everybody that came into the office and then blamed it on the fact it's Monday and that's "payroll day" - my busiest day. But we weren't that busy because we both worked yesterday. I was just a bitch.
I'm over it now but I can feel it simmering just below the surface. I know it won't take much to tip me over the edge. This sucks.
The worst thing is I've tried to get into it with different people as a way to vent and no one has stood up to me. That extra who tried to pull the scam called looking for his check but didn't put up a fight when I told him he had to call the casting director. And the agent's assistant who I keep calling about the actor's start paperwork is too dim to even bother with - he says he's tried to fax it 3 times but we haven't seen it. Of course, this is the same paperwork he said was on it's way to us last week. Dumas.
I just want to leave early enough to take Sofie to the park and stop to get her some food.
I'm over it now but I can feel it simmering just below the surface. I know it won't take much to tip me over the edge. This sucks.
The worst thing is I've tried to get into it with different people as a way to vent and no one has stood up to me. That extra who tried to pull the scam called looking for his check but didn't put up a fight when I told him he had to call the casting director. And the agent's assistant who I keep calling about the actor's start paperwork is too dim to even bother with - he says he's tried to fax it 3 times but we haven't seen it. Of course, this is the same paperwork he said was on it's way to us last week. Dumas.
I just want to leave early enough to take Sofie to the park and stop to get her some food.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Invaded
We're shooting today so the office is full of the regular crew and I don't like it. I like being here all alone on Sundays, blasting my music and cussing the crew out loud. At least there's a dog... the POC brought in her dog Lance aka Donkey. He's a chihuahua mix and pretty cute. I wish I could hvae brought Sofie but I'd never get the timecards done with her here. She'd be much too excited about going back to work for me to deal with.
Husband, if you get bored you couldbring her down for a visit.
Oh, and I just found out they've added 3 more days to the schedule. I've already warned my boss I'm going out of town for Christmas no matter what.
Husband, if you get bored you couldbring her down for a visit.
Oh, and I just found out they've added 3 more days to the schedule. I've already warned my boss I'm going out of town for Christmas no matter what.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Late Night
Now we have a 2nd Unit working nights. I don't know if it's something that was always planned or if it's because we've gotten behind schedule and they have to pick up the pace. I thought we were supposed to be out of the warehouse by now, but that was an old schedule so I'm not really sure of anything.
The point is I sent the assistant out to set at lunch with the checks for the 1st Unit and I'm going tonight for the 2nd Unit. Call is at 8pm and I'm hoping to get there around 7:45 and get out asap. Anybody who isn't there is going to have to wait for the mail.
At least it's not as bad as LVT where I was out on set until midnight and then still had to drive back from Walnut. This set's not quite on the way home but it's also not 45 minutes in the other direction.
Oh, and we're shooting on Sunday and everybody will be in the office. I hate having people in the office when I'm breaking timecards - it's so distracting and I cuss like a sailor and call people names when their timecard is wrong. I like working one day a week all alone.
Just thought of 1 positive - catering! They'll be serving "breakfast" when I get there which means a free dinner. Thanks Walt!
The point is I sent the assistant out to set at lunch with the checks for the 1st Unit and I'm going tonight for the 2nd Unit. Call is at 8pm and I'm hoping to get there around 7:45 and get out asap. Anybody who isn't there is going to have to wait for the mail.
At least it's not as bad as LVT where I was out on set until midnight and then still had to drive back from Walnut. This set's not quite on the way home but it's also not 45 minutes in the other direction.
Oh, and we're shooting on Sunday and everybody will be in the office. I hate having people in the office when I'm breaking timecards - it's so distracting and I cuss like a sailor and call people names when their timecard is wrong. I like working one day a week all alone.
Just thought of 1 positive - catering! They'll be serving "breakfast" when I get there which means a free dinner. Thanks Walt!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Annoyed
I am so annoyed right now. The studio is auditing the show - not a big deal as every studio audits every show. What is annoying me is the auditor obviously has no idea how to do payroll. I can tell by the questions she asks me. How on earth can I be audited by someone who has no idea how to do my job?
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