How many days did you work in 2009?

[Mike McGowan SOC]

Was doing my taxes and making some calculations about how much I'm making and how much I'm working. I worked 86 days in 2009. I didn't do any features or shows full time so the number is less than usual. However, I noticed that I actually made more money per day (on average) then I have ever before. Partially because I worked mostly commercials in 2009 which pay better. My best year in terms of number of days was 2007 which was a television and feature year. I worked 208 days in 2007. The features were medium budget so my rate per day average was not quite as high as it was this year though I made more money total for the year. I don't want to talk about money and how much we all make but I am curious as to how many days you all worked last year (and any other interesting facts you can provide).

 

Mike:

2009 - 86 days (most money per day in any year).

2007 - 208 days (most days as a steadicam operator in one year) - (I did work 350 days as an assistant in 1997).

1999 - 43 days (least days as a steadicam operator) - (my first year only doing steadicam)... I also made much less per day that year.

My average number of days per year since I started doing steadicam (1998) is 102.

[Philip J. Martinez SOC]

in 2009 I worked 164 days

 

107 steadicam

46 regular camera operator

11 travel days

 

from a 1/2 day corporate video to 1 day on a studio film and every thing in between

I mostly did Foodnetwork shows, Italian TV shows for RAI UNO and couple of MTV "Un-plugged".

[RonBaldwin]

I usually get on full time tv shows for the duration so I often have a huge number of days worked/yr. It's sobering and kind of depresses me sometimes to get caught up in the machine and emerge from the stage in early May pasty and exhausted wondering where the year went. I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong -- I consider my self very lucky...and pooped.

 

There are about 265 weekdays/yr, so anyone working 200+ steadicam days is really doing some serious schlepping (especially day-players). Last year I'm guessing I worked about 170.

[geoff shotz]

first off, i never complain about working, only about being tired and the lack of cute extras to fill my day! i agree with ron though, come end of season, you wonder where the year has gone! once we are in the loop, most of us tend to take a job on the heels of another out of fear of that being the last one ever. and once you are working regularly, it is easier to stay employed. in '09, i think i worked a pilot, into a pilot, straight into 'weeds', straight to 'vampire diaries' and i'm still there! if my calculations are right, i worked from the second week of february til december 8th straight through. no breaks! i think that's somewhere around 200-215 days! holy hell! really? no wonder i have no life! i know how lucky i've been with my timing and i'm thankful every day! in comparison, 6 years ago, i probably worked 30 days all year. indeed the rates are getting harder to get and the work more demanding in pace, but i still love my job every time i show up for work and i know that it is my choice on every job. for that, i am incredibly thankful! i just hope there is enough work for everyone soon, really soon!

 

geoff

[Brad Grimmett]

Last year I'm guessing I worked about 170.

So only 195 at Jumbo's....slacker.

[geoff shotz]

ron and i are down to part time at jumbo's. we're only doing 3 days a week or so! and covering the odd shift for bj while he's out of town, of course!

[RonBaldwin]

I have the donkey shift...I love animals

[BJMcDonnell SOC]

Guys Im really sorry you had to cover my shifts at Jumbos. Damn Ron really?,..... you are on Donkey Shift now. Last time I knew you were rockin the poodles but Donkeys? Make dat money man!!!! Geoff I know you have been in Atlanta so have you been taking odd jobs at the Clairmont? Say hello to Blondie. Jesus I think I worked about 330 days in 2009. I did films back to back. Fame, Halloween 2, The Roomate, Macgruber, Battle: Los Angeles, and Nightmare on Elm Street re-shoots. This year Knock on wood has been great so far too. I just did the Jonah Hex Re-shoots and Hatchet 2. I agree with Geoff on being thankful every time the jobs come. This is a tough buisness and staying busy is tough. Hopefully this year is going to be great for all of us and we will all be working and making mad chedda. At least Me, Ron, Brad, and Geoff have kept Jumbos open. If your not working I will be performing live Thursdays in my hot pink half net shirt throwing party poppers at the crowd dancing to wilson phillips with a tear in one eye. Please support us. My name is BJ after all :(

[BJMcDonnell SOC]

Oh I almost forgot, Nick Franco is performing with us now too. Lets give him a warm welcome!

[Robert Starling SOC]

Oh I almost forgot, Nick Franco is performing with us now too. Lets give him a warm welcome!

 

Bastages! How'd Nick get in there ahead of me??? You guys and your secret society of clowns... Must be Vegas discrimination!

 

I hereby withdraw my application for Jumbos!

[Alfeo Dixon SOC]

Hell, I gotta find a way to keep you boys out of Atlanta so I can work!

 

'09 was my first real year of not doing stills and reclassifying as operator... so 114 days with only 22 steadicam days and stuck on the peds for an entire season. But I guess I can complain too much when you throw in the overseas feature I DP'd.

 

Steadi 22

Reg Op 45

DP 46

Travel 7

On-camera camera guy 1

 

 

Stills feel like I'm not working as much as I would like.