Personal safety

[Janice Arthur]

Hi all;

 

It bears talking about, we get a call to show up and do some work on a production, often times alone and we trust a shoot and at least more than one person will meet us. Not always.

 

Your personal safety, man or woman, is something to consider before showing up and at the least telling others where you're going and with whom. I've been in a few situations over the years that could have gone very wrong.

 

People are so anxious to make reels and shoot some of the micro-budget jobs that it's easy to forget that bad guys could be are on the other end.

 

The gear gets smaller and crews and number of crew members needed makes the risk higher.

 

One young lady I talked to this week had a "documentary" for a "producer" she had only talked to on the phone, with a "recommendation" from her school in a distant, remote area had her all excited to go do the job. I shuttered at how many levels of danger that seemed to me. She was smart but didn't see what I saw; I could only heavily suggest she take her filmmaking friend/crew with her. Social media, good and bad right.

 

Good luck.

 

Janice

[Lisa Sene]

Hi Janice,

 

Thanks for bringing up this very important point! I've had questionable scenarios come up plenty of times and have started more thoroughly vetting new clients before I accept a job. I hate turning down work, but I don't take work that compromises my own safety. Social media actually helps a lot with this process because I can look up names and see if I know anyone who is connected to the new client, then inquire with any mutual connections. I also make sure at least one person knows where I'll be and has an idea of call and wrap times. One can never be too careful!

 

Stay safe everyone.