There are countless opinions concerning set etiquette. Some people insist the camera person must call out “Set” once they’re ready to go, followed by the 1st AD’s “Roll Camera”, to which the camera person responds “Camera Speeds”, and finally the Director bellows the all important, “Action!”. Others just hope the camera person knows where the record button is and the actors know what lines to say when somebody finally decides it’s time to shoot. Whether you are by the book or laisser-faire in your approach to set etiquette, the one universal rule for all sets; film or video, low-budget or high-budget, faith-based or commercial spots, is found in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”. The best way to serve others is to do what Jesus did, make disciples and then lead them by your own selfless example.
All too often I have heard those who don’t do video production refer to those who do as if they have a license to let common courtesy fall by the wayside as long as they are talented, creative, and put in long hours. There is a mystique that surrounds the work because it is so creative and when done properly arouses dangerous emotions. Due to the inherent power in the moving image business, a sort of veil can be raised between those who do the work and those who watch. Since the work video producers do can truly capture the imagination, the pressure to be creative and get the job done with excellence often results in short tempers and intense work environments. Whenever I walk onto a set and the crew is in such a hurry they can’t seem to say words like “Please” and “Thank You”, or even simply refer to others by their names, I see a perfect opportunity to exhibit Christ like patience and service.
A few years ago I arose at o’dark thirty in the morning to go work as a production assistant on a commercial shoot in Los Angeles. I was supposed to help out in the camera department and when the camera guy showed up late, he was quite upset and didn’t want anyone to know he missed the call time. His secret was safe with me. As I tried to help him out and learn a little along the way, my well-meaning questions and eagerness to help out tested his patience to the point he physically pushed me out of his way. When I confronted him a little later he said, “Man, it’s just this ‘expletive deleted’ job”. No, it wasn’t the job that pushed me, it was him. Whether he recognizes that or not, isn’t the point. The point is for you to never blame treating others poorly on your work in video production, because it is sooooo demanding. Give me a break. We’re not saving lives here.
Next time a young kid is trying to learn a thing or two from you on set at least give him the time of day. You were that young kid once too; eager to learn everything you could about the magic of moving images. And the sad truth is maybe nobody helped you out. Maybe you are a self-made man or woman and have learned everything you know about video production from your own research and the school of hard knocks. You still didn’t invent the video camera. You have interacted with other people and learned with them all along the way even if only through using their inventions. And beyond all my appeals to your compassion for others based on your own experience just remember, no one forgets the people who treat them poorly. Michael Jordan’s recent induction speech into the Basketball Hall of Fame is a perfect example. By listening to interviews with those who have made it, you find they almost all have a story about someone who didn’t give them the time of day.
A few years after my run in with the camera man in LA, another morning I came very close to doing the very thing I am warning you about. I had driven out to the country surrounding Kansas City to work on a commercial for a farm products company. I was a grip or electric on the shoot, I can’t remember for sure. My friend and long time 1st AC Tom Pease pulled up and we chatted it up a little. Production got there, the folks who run the show as well as fulfill the necessary task of providing coffee, and pretty soon the truck with all our gear showed up.
Being the youngest member of the grip/electric crew, I jumped up in the truck and starting loosening ratchet straps and rolling stuff onto the lift gate. Then this young guy walked up and introduced himself. And I remember thinking, “Is this some Production Assistant who they’ve sent over to work on the truck?” I shook his hand and then I noticed how he was talking with the other crew, and then he walked right onto the set like he owned the place. I thought he was some green bean production assistant and he turned out to be the Director of Photography.
You never know who it is you are dealing with, what they will accomplish, or what you will accomplish. It is best to be open handed in as many situations as possible and also courteous and polite. As much of a rush as the creative process is and how fun it can be to play dress up and put on a rock star persona, nothing replaces good old-fashioned courtesy. Proverbs 16:32 says, “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city”.
I have been given great opportunities to learn this all-important lesson over and over again, and I am very thankful. When everything is working and the story I am telling is coming together, I feel just like I did playing G.I. Joes with my brothers years ago. We were put here to enjoy this stuff, and there is plenty to go around. I can think of no one better to illustrate the theme of serving and helping others on set like my good friend, Glenn Eddins. He helped me greatly while I was working in Kansas City by teaching me the ropes: set lighting, electricity, and the necessity for everyone on the set to be focused on the story. He could go about his day and order me around like the small chess piece that I am but instead he seized opportunities to teach me.
Jesus telling us to go and make disciples goes way beyond being dutiful to Jesus. Making a disciple is a pro-active involvement in someone else’s life. It is looking for opportunities to teach and instruct, not just going about our duty to the Boss. I look at Glenn, the Best Boy Electric, as a model for how to disciple. He is diligent in his responsibilities and proactive, going beyond his job performance to help a little guy like me learn a thing or two. I know Glenn wasn’t born with the knowledge he has, he must have learned it somewhere as well. Being a disciple should remind us of times when we needed help, and that at times we still do. Whenever you doubt what you should do on set… go and make disciples. We all need the encouragement.
(this article is also available in the September 2009 issue of Christian Video Magazine)
The Service Industry – Christian Video Magazine – September 2009
There are countless opinions concerning set etiquette. Some people insist the camera person must call out “Set” once they’re ready to go, followed by the 1st AD’s “Roll Camera”, to which the camera person responds “Camera Speeds”, and finally the Director bellows the all important, “Action!”. Others just hope the camera person knows where the record button is and the actors know what lines to say when somebody finally decides it’s time to shoot. Whether you are by the book or laisser-faire in your approach to set etiquette, the one universal rule for all sets; film or video, low-budget or high-budget, faith-based or commercial spots, is found in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”. The best way to serve others is to do what Jesus did, make disciples and then lead them by your own selfless example.
All too often I have heard those who don’t do video production refer to those who do as if they have a license to let common courtesy fall by the wayside as long as they are talented, creative, and put in long hours. There is a mystique that surrounds the work because it is so creative and when done properly arouses dangerous emotions. Due to the inherent power in the moving image business, a sort of veil can be raised between those who do the work and those who watch. Since the work video producers do can truly capture the imagination, the pressure to be creative and get the job done with excellence often results in short tempers and intense work environments. Whenever I walk onto a set and the crew is in such a hurry they can’t seem to say words like “Please” and “Thank You”, or even simply refer to others by their names, I see a perfect opportunity to exhibit Christ like patience and service.
A few years ago I arose at o’dark thirty in the morning to go work as a production assistant on a commercial shoot in Los Angeles. I was supposed to help out in the camera department and when the camera guy showed up late, he was quite upset and didn’t want anyone to know he missed the call time. His secret was safe with me. As I tried to help him out and learn a little along the way, my well-meaning questions and eagerness to help out tested his patience to the point he physically pushed me out of his way. When I confronted him a little later he said, “Man, it’s just this ‘expletive deleted’ job”. No, it wasn’t the job that pushed me, it was him. Whether he recognizes that or not, isn’t the point. The point is for you to never blame treating others poorly on your work in video production, because it is sooooo demanding. Give me a break. We’re not saving lives here.
Next time a young kid is trying to learn a thing or two from you on set at least give him the time of day. You were that young kid once too; eager to learn everything you could about the magic of moving images. And the sad truth is maybe nobody helped you out. Maybe you are a self-made man or woman and have learned everything you know about video production from your own research and the school of hard knocks. You still didn’t invent the video camera. You have interacted with other people and learned with them all along the way even if only through using their inventions. And beyond all my appeals to your compassion for others based on your own experience just remember, no one forgets the people who treat them poorly. Michael Jordan’s recent induction speech into the Basketball Hall of Fame is a perfect example. By listening to interviews with those who have made it, you find they almost all have a story about someone who didn’t give them the time of day.
A few years after my run in with the camera man in LA, another morning I came very close to doing the very thing I am warning you about. I had driven out to the country surrounding Kansas City to work on a commercial for a farm products company. I was a grip or electric on the shoot, I can’t remember for sure. My friend and long time 1st AC Tom Pease pulled up and we chatted it up a little. Production got there, the folks who run the show as well as fulfill the necessary task of providing coffee, and pretty soon the truck with all our gear showed up.
Being the youngest member of the grip/electric crew, I jumped up in the truck and starting loosening ratchet straps and rolling stuff onto the lift gate. Then this young guy walked up and introduced himself. And I remember thinking, “Is this some Production Assistant who they’ve sent over to work on the truck?” I shook his hand and then I noticed how he was talking with the other crew, and then he walked right onto the set like he owned the place. I thought he was some green bean production assistant and he turned out to be the Director of Photography.
You never know who it is you are dealing with, what they will accomplish, or what you will accomplish. It is best to be open handed in as many situations as possible and also courteous and polite. As much of a rush as the creative process is and how fun it can be to play dress up and put on a rock star persona, nothing replaces good old-fashioned courtesy. Proverbs 16:32 says, “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city”.
I have been given great opportunities to learn this all-important lesson over and over again, and I am very thankful. When everything is working and the story I am telling is coming together, I feel just like I did playing G.I. Joes with my brothers years ago. We were put here to enjoy this stuff, and there is plenty to go around. I can think of no one better to illustrate the theme of serving and helping others on set like my good friend, Glenn Eddins. He helped me greatly while I was working in Kansas City by teaching me the ropes: set lighting, electricity, and the necessity for everyone on the set to be focused on the story. He could go about his day and order me around like the small chess piece that I am but instead he seized opportunities to teach me.
Jesus telling us to go and make disciples goes way beyond being dutiful to Jesus. Making a disciple is a pro-active involvement in someone else’s life. It is looking for opportunities to teach and instruct, not just going about our duty to the Boss. I look at Glenn, the Best Boy Electric, as a model for how to disciple. He is diligent in his responsibilities and proactive, going beyond his job performance to help a little guy like me learn a thing or two. I know Glenn wasn’t born with the knowledge he has, he must have learned it somewhere as well. Being a disciple should remind us of times when we needed help, and that at times we still do. Whenever you doubt what you should do on set… go and make disciples. We all need the encouragement.
(this article is also available in the September 2009 issue of Christian Video Magazine)