Friday, January 21, 2011

The Difference Between A Big Show And A Low Budget One...



... If you're juicing for the day on a low budget show and you need a ladder that's at least an eight step, the grips will bring you a six step because they don't feel like lugging in anything bigger and "you can just top step it."

If you're juicing for the day on a big show and you need a ladder that's at least an eight step, the grips will bring you a ten step. When you thank them for their efforts, they look surprised and say, "Of course! We're not going to make you top step a ladder!"

♥.

9 comments :

JD said...

Okay, where is the photo from? I'd really appreciate a like to it. Please.
Have you seen the one of the scissor lift extended fully, perched on the forklift?

JD said...

Oops, I mean "a link" to it.

Niall said...

Well the classic indie things that you don't have a ten or an eight step for that matter on the truck. So it has to be a six step and three apple boxes because the 4th one fell off the truck due to budget problems.

Indie life is so hap hazard it's a miracle more of us don't die.

Nathan said...

A.J.

If we ever work together I'll have a word with the Key Grip and make sure there's always a 60' condor available to take you up in style.

Michael Taylor said...

What a great photo -- I can't even begin to tell you how many times in the last few years I've felt just like that guy up at the top. Working on sit-coms, it's not the budget that forces such creative use of ladders, but the way so many sets get crammed into a very finite space. Half the time we can't use the 12 step ladder we have simply because there's no room to properly unfold the damned thing -- so we stand atop a ten footer, or walk the set walls to get the job done.

But although I've joked about putting an apple box on top of a ladder, I've never -- ever -- seen a ladder atop another ladder. That's a first, for which I thank you...

A.J. said...

JD - Local 80 had an extensive and absolutely fabulous collection of ridiculous ladder pictures on their website before they re-vamped it. I remember seeing something to do with a forklift, but don't recall if a scissor lift was involved. Either way, just do a Google image search of "stupid ladder" and you'll find this picture.

Niall - Yeah, things can get kind of ridiculous. It's mostly because we have an "anything to get the shot" mentality when we're just starting out and it isn't until we're older, wiser and a little beaten up before we look back and think, "Damn. I'm lucky I'm still alive!"

Nathan - A matching harness would be very much appreciated. Thank you. :)

Michael - While I've never seen an apple box on top of a ladder, I've seen them used underneath one. It's never a pretty sight...

Nathan said...

Sure. Next you'll want a qualified operator at the controls.

Some people are never satisfied!

Azurgrip said...

Re: the forklift on a forklift picture: When I was getting my forklift operating ticket, my instructor showed the now famous photo of a forklift lifting another forklift. We all thought that it originated in some third world country. Turns out it was taken not ten minutes away and he could id some of the people crawling around.

A.J. said...

Since many of you seem to have an interest in the photo I used, do a Google Image Search of "Why women live longer than men" and you won't be disappointed. :)

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