Has anyone ever filed an unpaid wage claim? Were you basically blacklisted from a production company afterwards? I think it should be payrolls responsibility but labor board wants to involve the prod company as well.

Any experience/advice on anyone who's filed a wage claim would be great!

Understandably there is a lot of depressing articles being posted here. People lamenting the fact that it's very slow etc..

I've been working in l.a for 12 years in this business and have experienced many ups and downs. I love filmmaking, I love being on set, and I love Los Angeles.

Here is my optimistic take:

I think it's a great time for independent films and lower budget projects to get funding and be made, the tools have gotten cheap and people are able to make really good looking things for way less money than ever before.

I know several people who have made feature film and sold them to streaming services for a pretty fat paycheck.

Streamers need to fill out their catalogues and if they can buy 10 low budget feature films for $100,000 each, that's a drop in the bucket for them, but a good pay day for my friends.

With the traditional industry being in a more fragile state, it leaves a lot of opportunity for innovation and creativity on the lower budget side to fill those gaps.

That's my take, and I'm putting my eggs in that basket, prepping to shoot my first feature film and planning to sell it. also I've just always wanted to shoot my own feature.

Would love to hear your optimistic take, or maybe one you've heard from an industry colleague (even if you don't believe it).

Can any0one talk about their experience with using Sharegrid and renting out their equipment??

Currently thinking about renting out my a7s3 and Sony FX3 Camera, does anyone else rent these out? how often do these cameras get rented out/what can i expect? is this a reliable type of business?

Prior to the strike, my hope was to get a base level of experience in my city and then move to LA. I viewed it as a place where work was abundant. I knew I’d have to work hard, do PA jobs for a while, etc. but I thought just getting on sets would be fairly easy.

Now I know that’s not true at the moment with the decline in business, but was it ever true? Was there a time when newcomers could count on at least being able to get on sets as a PA? Or was it always a “you have to know someone” situation?

In either case, so you think LA should still be a place filmmakers ultimately try to get to?

If you work on a show, how did you get your job? I work more on the client side of things at a studio and my goal is to move back into production on a show. Would networking be my best bet here? Are these roles usually hired by word of mouth?

Also I work in the industry and am aware things are insanely tough now — I’m just asking for general advice here to plan ahead and be hopeful for the future.

There have been a ton of posts lately about the lack of work in LA or just production shoots in general. I'm not actively working in the industry, but I do have friends who live in LA and are in the business. I'm not doubting their sincerity about finding work in the least, but from an outsider's perspective I see a deluge of new scripted shows coming from all of the streaming services and networks. AppleTV, Netflix, Prime, Paramount, etc.... all with big show lineups that are obviously coming from somewhere. The output of these streaming networks just seems like a never-ending list of new productions. How is this possible if nobody is working? Obviously SOME are working. I'm just not understanding the disconnect between the output I see happening and the posts here talking about how desperate people are for work. Can someone explain? Thank you, and I do wish everyone luck in finding work!

after todays news of the Eddie Murphy accident, I began to wonder about all the other injuries and deaths we've forgotten over the years. anyone know if theres a resource of crew member injuries and fatalities? for example, I remember this from green lantern and this from LA’s finest and this from GI Joe 2 and this from wonder man at cbs radford recently.. not even mentioning the high profile ones of Rust and Sarah Jones. We need to not forget the lower profile ones and it would be nice to see updates on injured folks.

Not sure how many people saw the second unit accident that happened last Saturday on the set of Amazons Eddie Murphy film? Multiple injuries including some that may not be things you recover from. Even though AP is saying some slight injuries. It’s an ongoing battle with production about safety. A second unit on a major film doesn’t have an ambulance for stunts. Would that have prevented it? No. But would the dolly grip and other crew members if had immediate triage? Yes.

The sooner all crews across the globe realize every production sees them as expendable the better.

This happened last Saturday. Have any of you heard about it in any news story?? Probably not. From friends there it sounds like the dolly grip has a broken back and another crew member may have been scalped?!?

You have to be safety aware. At all times AT ALL TIMES. The pencil pushes don’t give a rats ass about any of you. Just about the money. I’ve worked and walked off of jobs where safety didn’t matter. And people have gotten hurt. As jobs come back and they know crew is desperate don’t lower your standards. It may cost you your life.

Reality Producer Here: I know there have been many posts out there like this but I'm currently feeling it and just need to see how others are feeling not in my direct circle ...in my network we're all been extremely out of work for months or even much longer with just some people working but mostly small skeleton crews or working favors here and there. I've done some small things here and there but barely enough and working side hustles like Uber.

Less work all around, nothing being greenlit even on reality, rates going back wards, skeleton crews and more...It's defeating

Any hope out there? Or small words of encouragement that there will be the other side? Are other people getting back to work? OR JUST HOW ARE YOU DOING?

Truly at the point thinking of switching careers....This has been extremely rough on my mental health and self worth. Do other feels the same? Any ways to cope? Working on therapy but this has been rough.

Just trying to hang in there so could use the conversation

I have been working in the industry for a bit and I'd really love to learn more above the line (producing or directing). I've PA'd, coordinated, managed and AD'd no budget, low and moderate low projects so while I could always learn more about efficiency and love to work on set, I am not looking to learn about filmmaking from a logistics point of view. Which seems to be the majority of classes and workshops.

What are some good workshops, classes, etc that will help me learn about development, finance/legal, shot listing, directing actors, sales, distribution, etc that are worth the time and price?

Thanks for reading!

I want to cast something myself - a small project a want to film - whats the best place to find some actors? It is a paid acting gig as well.

Hey all, been working in the film industry for over a decade now and trying to be a better book keeper for jobs, clients, and tax prep. Been destroyed these past couple years because I feel like I'm unorganized when it comes to tax time.

What do you all use? Spreadsheet or a software? Would love to not have to pay for a service but willing to if it really works well!

I mostly work in commercials, 80/20 split on payroll vs invoice jobs.

hi!

I work on a show with regular hiatus weeks (roughly 2 weeks every three months give or take). I applied + was granted unemployment for the first hiatus back in February. I'm back at work now and have been certifying every week but not receiving a pay out (obviously because I am working.)

My question is--how do I keep the claim open so I don't have to serve another waiting period come June/July hiatus? Just keep certifying with no payout?

FD Photo studio has always made sense to book for casual talking heads or music videos, even though their sound treatment is subpar. No proof of insurance/permits needed either. Any other studio just minutes away seems to be alot more expensive and require proof of permits and whatnot. I'm wondering how they're able to pull it off.

This may be silly but how does the industry view the media? I was considering getting into film and television media to interview the cast and crews of films but I hear a lot of complaints about how hated journalists are and I’d rather do interviews in fields where I don’t see myself in that industry one day. I also hear of journalists getting close with the cast and crew, like even befriending them?

I was wondering about the accurate relationship between cast/crew and journalists. Thank you!

Edit: Not talking about BTS footage on set, this is referring to media days, press runs, red carpet interviews, Vanity Fair, Access Hollywood interviews, Rolling Stone articles, etc.

https://variety.com/2024/film/news/jerry-seinfeld-movie-business-over-disorientation-1235978006/

We’ve got a long night shoot coming up and are wanting to treat the crew to a coffee cart.

Any recs for someone with a mobile setup that can handle serving a crew of 100?

We’ll power for them, but they’d need to bring everything else.

Has anyone done a NExT post-production internship with Company3?

Came upon the page recently - applications are closed but it's gotten me interested

This may be a silly question but it’s a 2-part question

1. After a movie is finished filming, who is all invited to the wrap party? Only those on set? Or the entire crew, especially since many jobs are remote?

2. What industry events are those individuals (those who work remotely, extended crew) able to go to?

Would it be award shows where they’re potentially nominated? Events only for their field such as events only for those who work in film marketing (if those events are even a thing).

What type of industry networking events are available for those individuals? Do they ever cross paths with those on set?

Thank you!

https://preview.redd.it/znb97xnktyvc1.png?width=773&format=png&auto=webp&s=45b57a4c8e2141d8c8dfa571ca6ea876ee7a95d3

Hi! I'm 17, and I'm from the United Kingdom. (I know it's r/FilmIndustryLA but it seems people basically ask the same question anyways here disregarding location anyhow.) A quick information about my situation - due to extremely unfortunate events, I wasn't able to get the best grades for both my GCSEs and the first year of my A Levels which were all Academic science based subjects. I want to change my options and instead opt for the Film Industry - not acting but in the script writing, directing and cinematography side. (Maybe acting if I get better though.)

Now that's all aside, what's the route for me to take to ensure a career? One thing I know is that the Film Industry is brutal, and both education and careers have a potentially deadly risk of ending up useless without a job or salary. However, I'm genuinely willing to take that risk as I have a big passion for it. I have no financial background whatsoever, and I have no connections at all.

A Levels are 3 advanced subjects in the UK - the subjects are about what you'd expect from America. Should I switch to Film Studies, Music and English?

It's a huge decision in my life, and I'm sorry if this is long but the risk I'm taking I just really want to know if its worth it. I have a stupid young unrealistic mindset of "I'd rather live young and accomplishing than old and rich." I'm willing to take that stupid risk, but only if it goes so far. Passion or not, I would hate to have absolutely no income at all and basically live in complete poverty without anyone to support me. (The reason it's so daunting to me is because I have literally no one that I can rely on when I'm older.)

Hello! I'm finally going to take the plunge and take my real headshots and push beyond Central Casting background work. Just curious what the state of the casting sites are at the moment? Which sites give best bang-for-buck in terms of role availability and, dare I ask, cost efficiency? Let's say I'm heavily looking to do stuff like pretty much anything on A24. Weird surrealist, horror-adjacent, etc. Where do they cast from? Etc etc. Are there any major differences or are there clear winners for various segments? I saw that Casting Networks just got sued after years of reading about people complaining about it, what's the skinny on that? Are there any ethical sites or are they all selling shovels?

Thanks for your input.

Hello, everyone! I am studying to become a filmmaker. My degree is ending soon, and I will be applying for my masters USA very soon.. But there are alot of things which we haven’t been told, by our so called experts. I have more insights on things than my faculty, probably because I started researching on my from a very young age.. However, there is one thing that has confused me till now, that is the maths of producing a film. Like, there’s actor’s fee involved, location, crew, marketing, distribution and satellite rights.. but if someone wants to produce their own film, how would they understand the maths behind the cost? Failure is a part of life, and it’s okay.. but I want my concepts to be clear.. I would really like to know about the maths, and distribution, also satellite rights.. Hoping for a positive answer from everyone.

I’ve written a short script set in a single location featuring one main character with minimal dialogue. I believe it can be shot in a single 12 hour day, and I’m excited about directing my first short. I have made some music videos and documentaries in the past but no narrative films yet.

While I have a lot of experience on film sets and around productions on the east coast, I’m still pretty new to Los Angeles and don’t have a base of friends here.

How should I go about finding my cast and crew? This is a paying gig but I don’t even know where to start. I do see a couple of locations on Giggster that would be great, so at least that side of things could be locked in fairly easily.

Any advice is appreciated!

I'll Do Anything - 1994 about the Film biz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4UUAeof5Go

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Hey everyone,

I'm torn between California State University, Northridge (CSUN), California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), and City College of New York (CCNY) for my filmmaking education. I already got admitted into all of them.

My goal is to become a director, and all three schools offer solid programs. The main factors for me are location (LA or NY) and the quality of education.

Given the similar tuition costs, which school do you think would offer the best opportunities for networking, internships, and access to industry professionals?

Your insights would be incredibly helpful in making my decision. Thanks!

Hey everyone, I (23 M) would appreciate some advice on what you would do in my shoes. Sorry in advance for the length.

I've been interviewing for agent trainee positions since graduating last June and ended up making it to the final round for two companies: one was a big 3 agency and the other is a smaller but still big agency. Unfortunately, I did not get the job at the big agency but I believe I left a good impression, connected with several in the company on LinkedIn, and heard the agency appreciates continued interest (this was actually my second time applying, both times without a referral). Had I gotten the offer I would've definitely taken it, and I plan on applying again down the road. I also made it past the first round of the NBC Universal Page program, so that's something I'd consider reapplying to.

In a couple of weeks, I'll be interviewing for the smaller agency and the pay is not great. Obviously I knew this when I applied but the interview was postponed for months because of the strike and I spent a lot of that time unemployed. As a result, I moved back home to Sacramento (rent-free) and just started a decent paying job with benefits and PTO as an Administrative Assistant before the smaller agency finally got back to me to schedule the panel interview. If I got the position, I would be taking a sizable pay cut and would obviously have to start paying rent in LA, with little savings. For more context, I'm the son of immigrants and my only industry connections are the people I went to college with and alumni from my scholarship network. My parents are about to retire so for all intents and purposes, I don't have much of a financial safety net and I have a small amount of debt to deal with ($3K). Obviously if I want it "bad enough" I would take any position I could get but unfortunately, life sometimes forces you to be realistic and with how the entertainment industry is right now, I don't know how stable the position would be anyway.

If you were in my shoes, would you take the position knowing you'd be living paycheck to paycheck for the foreseeable future with no guarantee of becoming an agent in the future or keep working my 9-5 for the rest of the year while building my savings so I can move to LA later just to search for similar positions. If I had more money saved it'd be a no brainer but the timing right now is not good. There's not a ton of entertainment opportunities if I stayed in Sacramento but there's a pretty big music/touring scene in the area that I could get involved in and I would at least be building my experience in an assistant position. Then again, entry level entertainment jobs are hard to get so I also feel I shouldn't take this opportunity for granted. Man...

Obviously this depends on if I even get the job but I do feel good about my chances and the recruiter said the turnaround from receiving an offer to starting would be around 2 weeks so I need to start thinking about it now. I'm also using this as a time to get general career and life advice so I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts and experiences anyway. The film and entertainment industry is tricky to explain so I've gotten varying opinions from my family. Thanks.