tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578728360904637566.post1008430602331101168..comments2024-01-11T03:09:43.960-08:00Comments on The Hills Are Burning: I'm My Own Worst Enemy.A.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06280771470428710391noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578728360904637566.post-90452932639745474542009-11-15T11:59:21.174-08:002009-11-15T11:59:21.174-08:00Gabby - Thanks for the awesome comment! You defini...Gabby - Thanks for the awesome comment! You definitely have a valid point in that women often don't consider themselves to be real DPs/juicers/Gaffers, etc. Now that I think about it, I notice that when asked what they do, women tend to answer something along the lines of, "I kinda do ___, and sometimes I ___," whereas guys will straight up say "I'm a gaffer" when really they juice most of the time.<br /><br />And I've definitely used that phone trick more than a few times. Now I just need a trick that will make me not sound like a deer caught in the headlights when they actually answer...A.J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06280771470428710391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578728360904637566.post-65337487126000290132009-11-15T11:04:46.392-08:002009-11-15T11:04:46.392-08:00A.J. I think you need to just go for it! You'r...A.J. I think you need to just go for it! You're already busting your ass for a living, you clearly love the work and it took a lot of risk to get where you are, so why hold yourself back now? <br /><br />You're totally right about the challenges of being a woman in this business. It's something that I've run up against a lot and we actually had a great discussion about this recently at a WIF meeting (which you should totally join if you haven't already). One thing I've noticed is that woman are really reluctant to jump to the next level or 'brashly' consider themselves a 'real' DP/Director/Grip etc. even when they clearly have the experience and body of work to feel confident. It sucks and honestly how often do you see just the opposite trend in men? But ready or not (assuming they don't royally screw up) that boldness will move them up the ranks quicker. <br /><br />You've got to do things that scare you in order to progress and it seems like you are definitely ready to move up. I feel like I need to remind you of all of your previous posts that broadcast how highly capable you are! One trick I do when I don't want to make calls or like you I'm afraid of actually succeeding in getting a bigger job is to just dial the number and immediately press send. I don't give myself anytime to think about it at all and I have that oh shit feeling for like 3 seconds before they answer or I leave a message.Gabbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578728360904637566.post-90093396385693863192009-11-12T11:01:50.066-08:002009-11-12T11:01:50.066-08:00Niall (John) and Michael - Thanks for the encourag...Niall (John) and Michael - Thanks for the encouragement! While most of the IA grips and juicers I've met are awesome people and I feel like I'm getting closer and closer to making that jump, I'm still a bit reluctant to just dive in. I don't know what it's like for the guys, but women often get treated differently on set, especially if they're "new". We're immediately put under the microscope and have to be 5x as better as the guys out there just to get the same amount of respect and one slip-up and can deem us incompetent. I would hate for that to happen to me on a big set when I didn't feel ready to take the risk. <br /><br />But I do dream about that craft service table though...A.J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06280771470428710391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578728360904637566.post-77318529411663820602009-11-11T10:37:45.370-08:002009-11-11T10:37:45.370-08:00John is right -- and remember, every gruff old-tim...John is right -- and remember, every gruff old-timer was once a scared kid on set, afraid of doing something wrong. One way or another, we all went through it. <br /><br />Once you get accustomed to the rhythm of a bigger show, you'll find it's actually a lot easier than working in the hardscrabble non-union world, where so often two or three people end up carrying the full load. There won't be any well-meaning but utterly incompetent friends of the director "helping out" on set -- instead, you'll be part of a team of experienced pros. Every now and then you'll run into an asshole -- life is full of them -- but for the most part, IA grips and juicers are good people. If you ask, they're happy to teach you what you don't already know. <br /><br />Besides, the craft service table is a lot better...Michael Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02569781786039595929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2578728360904637566.post-58775426604086067652009-11-10T11:19:39.698-08:002009-11-10T11:19:39.698-08:00AJ- I just went through the same thing your strugg...AJ- I just went through the same thing your struggling with now. I worked a few days on a big feature in town and it was a major change of pace but the basic skills needed are the same. The only difference is there's a bigger team dynamic with in the departments. <br /><br />You've been doing this as long as I have if not longer. You got the basics needed it's just that scary adjustment period. I got my ass chewed out once or twice by the gruff old timer on set but I got the point of what he was saying and I was thankful for him telling me what I was doing wrong. You'll go through the same. We all do, it's the nature of moving up you kind of start all over again. Just take the chance next time, your ready.Niall(John)noreply@blogger.com