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Silent Sets That Show You Love? There’s No One on Set for It
(about 3 hours later)
Some five weeks ago those film companies that take your parking spaces, block your sidewalks and keep you awake at night shut down everywhere in the country and in most places in the world. “I’m in between jobs” is a timeworn Hollywood deflection to avoid admitting that you’re out of work. But now I’m part of an entire industry that is in between jobs.Some five weeks ago those film companies that take your parking spaces, block your sidewalks and keep you awake at night shut down everywhere in the country and in most places in the world. “I’m in between jobs” is a timeworn Hollywood deflection to avoid admitting that you’re out of work. But now I’m part of an entire industry that is in between jobs.
The cameras have been turned off, the sets are dark, and technicians and other crews have been quarantined in their homes. Over 60,000 of my colleagues in the major film industry trade guilds are among the millions of idled workers in America.The cameras have been turned off, the sets are dark, and technicians and other crews have been quarantined in their homes. Over 60,000 of my colleagues in the major film industry trade guilds are among the millions of idled workers in America.
Film sets are normally crowded, free-flowing spaces with hordes of crew members in constant motion. The work is often physical and requires long hours to shoot a few minutes of a show or movie. Women and men, a majority of them freelancers, work in every conceivable setting and climate. One has to learn to how to live by one’s wits to survive on unpredictable work cycles, income and schedules.Film sets are normally crowded, free-flowing spaces with hordes of crew members in constant motion. The work is often physical and requires long hours to shoot a few minutes of a show or movie. Women and men, a majority of them freelancers, work in every conceivable setting and climate. One has to learn to how to live by one’s wits to survive on unpredictable work cycles, income and schedules.
Films and TV shows are a handmade product. There are the writers, the actors who bring scripts to life and the people who create the scenes that play out on our screens. Modern technology coexists with age-old techniques. Wooden boxes, bags filled with sand and wooden wedges support state-of-the-art cameras that are frequently updated, requiring constant training.Films and TV shows are a handmade product. There are the writers, the actors who bring scripts to life and the people who create the scenes that play out on our screens. Modern technology coexists with age-old techniques. Wooden boxes, bags filled with sand and wooden wedges support state-of-the-art cameras that are frequently updated, requiring constant training.
While they may be out of work, film workers are finding other ways to put their talents to good use. Some are masters of invention, like the crew that began using 3-D printers to make clear face shields for medical workers.While they may be out of work, film workers are finding other ways to put their talents to good use. Some are masters of invention, like the crew that began using 3-D printers to make clear face shields for medical workers.
Others use their time at home to sew much needed face masks for doctors and nurses. Prop departments from medical shows have donated whatever personal protective equipment they had to medical facilities. The urge to help has taken the lead. In these uncertain times finding ways to channel our skills for the good of others helps keep the anxiety at bay.Others use their time at home to sew much needed face masks for doctors and nurses. Prop departments from medical shows have donated whatever personal protective equipment they had to medical facilities. The urge to help has taken the lead. In these uncertain times finding ways to channel our skills for the good of others helps keep the anxiety at bay.
Movies and TV have long provided a beleaguered public an escape from whatever threat enveloped. During the Great Depression, a period known as the Golden Age of film, many sought escape and meaning in the movies. World War II inspired popular movies that buoyed the spirits of the people back home.Movies and TV have long provided a beleaguered public an escape from whatever threat enveloped. During the Great Depression, a period known as the Golden Age of film, many sought escape and meaning in the movies. World War II inspired popular movies that buoyed the spirits of the people back home.
A neurosurgeon once asked me what I did for work. I said, “I’m a cinematographer, and when we struggle with a problem on the set, we’re fond of saying, ‘This isn’t brain surgery.’” She generously replied, “Maybe not, but after a day at work, I need to unwind by watching my shows.”A neurosurgeon once asked me what I did for work. I said, “I’m a cinematographer, and when we struggle with a problem on the set, we’re fond of saying, ‘This isn’t brain surgery.’” She generously replied, “Maybe not, but after a day at work, I need to unwind by watching my shows.”
I tell my colleagues that the pandemic will end and when it does, the work we do — making motion picture entertainment in all forms — will still be in demand. Until then, the men and women who have spent their professional lives unsure of the next job, location or whom they will work with are particularly qualified to survive this uncertain time.I tell my colleagues that the pandemic will end and when it does, the work we do — making motion picture entertainment in all forms — will still be in demand. Until then, the men and women who have spent their professional lives unsure of the next job, location or whom they will work with are particularly qualified to survive this uncertain time.
John Lindley is a cinematographer and president of the International Cinematographers Guild. Craig Blankenhorn is a film industry still photographer.John Lindley is a cinematographer and president of the International Cinematographers Guild. Craig Blankenhorn is a film industry still photographer.
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