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Robert Altman and USA Runaway production


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I totally understand all sides of this debate....and I believe it's never-ending. Just wanted to make one quick point: We are ALL affected by our respective governments' policies be they pro or con to our individual causes or motivations.

Conan O'Brien is coming to Toronto to shoot his show for one week...and is receiving 1 Million dollars from 2 levels of Canadian government for this production. Can you imagine how this makes us feel up here when we're stricken with low budgets on the regular.

The way I see it.....we're all independent operators and business owners...thus...it's all about the hustle. Relying on what "should be ours" can break the best of us.

I'm all for lobbying towards our collective expectations and perhaps with consistency certain policies might change for the better of us working guys....but until then...I'm fully aware and understand my choice to work in this industry...with or without the pitfalls and challenges. I love to shoot...period!!!!!

 

Bryan Trieb

Toronto

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Phil;

I am sorry about the fact that you can't pay your mortgage and I am sorry that most english film doesn't get the exposure that US films get, but don't attack the technicians for that. These are the guys that work on the movie not the financiers, producers or distributers, just the technicans.

We presumably are all assisitants, operators, or newly into the business and wanting to become one of the above. We need to understand that we are all in the globalization quagmire together. "If not here then somewhere cheaper; Screw the workers here", and off they go to the next stop. We are a commidity unless we find a way, all of us, to stop the flight of productions from our shores. Its not about The US or Canada or Britain, its about Globalization.

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Hi,

 

I'm not attacking anybody, I just find it notably ironic that the people working in the world centre for this kind of work, making the most money in the most advantageous circumstances, and being fed the nicest cinnamon danish during tea breaks, are the most vocal in bitching about it.

 

Phil

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Hi Lads and Ladies

I won't get into the politcal argument. A standard comment down here in Oz years ago came from a US producer. "You guys are cheaper than the Mexicans"

What can I say? There's great film makers all over the world and I don't think anybodies professional integrity should be questioned but at the end of the day we all work for the producer, wherever they want to work.

Ian mc Millan (Macca)

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Hi,

 

I'm not attacking anybody, I just find it notably ironic that the people working in the world centre for this kind of work, making the most money in the most advantageous circumstances, and being fed the nicest cinnamon danish during tea breaks, are the most vocal in bitching about it.

 

Phil

No, I think we know who the most vocal bitcher is, Phil. And we're all just as sick of it as always.

Brad "No cinnamon danish OR tea breaks" Grimmett

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It is a true Ass Chapper to find out the actor is getting 15 million to do a show and the producer is beating you up over $200 a week more for your Kit. It's the same with sports in this country(US). The owners pay someone 15million a year to jump and run fast or catch a ball. So now my wife and have to get a co-signer for an evening at a baseball game!

I know this will never happen but give the actor some incentive....points on the back end. So if the movie stinks they feel it in the wallet and the initial budget was intact to pay for a proper production. They get their money on the backend once the seats are filled. Why not? The importance of entertainment is completely out of control in the US. When actors and sports figures make more money in a year than some 3rd world countries GNP just for jumping high or crying convincingly.................................What's happened?

We did choose to work in this industry with all of it's caveats. That's true. But we don't stand a chance against an actor deciding to "not accept or accept" a job because it's a runaway production. What are the answers?

 

Ramon"I'll take a danish" Engle

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Hi,

 

> It is a true Ass Chapper to find out the actor is getting 15 million to do a show

> and the producer is beating you up over $200 a week more for your Kit

 

It is a true "Ass Chapper" to find out that the fourteen terrible American movies that are showing at all of London's cinemas make loads of money. It is a true "Ass Chapper" to discover that the people who make them are generally hugely overpaid, I agree. But most of all, it is a true "Ass Chapper" to be reminded that Eric Fletcher exists, and shows every sign of continuing to do so.

 

Phil

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Don't make me dig up "THE PICTURE"

You mean the one that was taken at a guild meeting where I was holding a cup of tea with my pinky sticking out and I had a cinnamon danish in the other hand? Come on! That doesn't count! Damn you Eric!

Brad "Pabst Blue Ribbon and Ramen Noodles" Grimmett

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AAAARGH, here we go again....Phil, why is it that you always play the money card so blatantly everytime a discussion like this starts?

I do wish you'd quit generalising like that, it's just too easy

I'll agree that some operators probably make a nice living (hardly rich) but they had to work hard for many years to get there.

Most operators (probably even the top ones) will always have to struggle in some way simply because work is never guaranteed in this industry.

You always have to remember that there can, and will be be, dry spells.

Your constant bitching about how great everyone except you has it is getting very old, I believe we've been going round and round on this argument forever and nothing will change your mind...why is that, what proof do you have of these fabled riches?

Does everybody need to show you their bank accounts?

 

Also, I believe that the British film industry is not limited to British films (quite a few international productions find their way to British crews) so what's your problem here?

 

Look, I'm not trying to attack you (really I'm not) but I'm just really curious as to why you seem to hold such a grudge against the Steadicam community.

I don't know you personally so I can't judge you on anything other then your comments here.

You seem like a smart guy but you just have some warped ideas of how this industry works.

And please, let's not start insulting each other and turning into another IMDB message board...I'd like to think we're all better than that.

 

Finally, I'm really sorry this thread has turned into another rant of Phil vs. The Rest Of Us considering it was such an interesting subject to begin with.

Let's try to get back to that.

 

Peace, Ruben "Running away from productions" Sluijter

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AAAARGH, here we go again....Phil, why is it that you always play the money card so blatantly everytime a discussion like this starts?

 

 

Hey guys...

 

You still don't get it. Throw oil in the fire and it will grow, let it alone and it will burn it self out. He is getting a kick out of us all. If he has something consturactive to say join in, if not ignore....... please.

 

To many valuble operators have left the forum for good... don't be one of them.

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Hey guys...

 

You still don't get it. Throw oil in the fire and it will grow, let it alone and it will burn it self out.

Unfortunately, that's proven to be untrue Erwin. It's a good theory, but it hasn't worked. Who cares anymore anyway. It's just comedy at this point.

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