Jump to content

On set abuse...


Jamie Hammond

Recommended Posts

  • Premium Members

Hi,

First off, I don't work on many features, I did a few as a focus puller and operator. Most of my stuff is TV, dramas, docs, music etc... Over that time I had experienced my fair share of abuse by DP's (as an assistant), directors and actors. What I heard today and I do hope this is a wind-up, was nothing more than disgusting and unacceptable. The link below is to an audio clip of Christian Bale lettering rip at DP Shane Hurlbut ASC.

 

http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/02/bale-went-ballistic/

 

I have never met Shane Hurlbut but I have an instant respect for the way he calmly and apologetically reacted to this abuse. I know this is a very big movie and tempers do get fraid but I think Mr Bale had every right to be on the end of a Hurlbut McKnuckle sandwich.

It would be interesting to know other peoples reaction to this clip as I hope never to have to deal with anyone who has such a lack of respect for there fellow workers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

Holy crap. What a total DI#K :angry:

All my best feelings goes to the Director of Photography, such an angel not to smash an HMI on his head and walk away :ph34r:

that's what I call cold blood, a real first class gentleman.

Hope the Di#k is gonna find some less well educated DP on his way soon... ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

Wow. I've heard stories of big stars mouthing off at crew members, but this was a surprise.

 

That said, I feel a bit sad that this clip has come out. These kind of things shouldn't get out to the public. It should stay at the set.

 

I feel that Mr. Bale overreacted a bit, but we really don't know 100% what happened. Maybe it was a difficult scene, and the DP had walked onto the set once before, according to the clip.

 

But then again, as Jerry stated. Dude, it's just a freakin' movie.

 

LE

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members
We're only making a movie.

 

Jerry

That's exactly why no one should ever be subjected to such embarrassment at work. If he really was saving the Earth from robot terror, lives were at stake and whatnot, I might have given him a pass. As it is, not so much. I lost an incredible amount of respect for Christian Bale after hearing that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

I agree that he really over-reacted, but we also don't know the background story. It seems to me that trouble had been brewing for a while and he finally popped. There's obviously some kind of history of interruptions to get that kind of reaction.

 

that being said...i'm staying the hell out of his eyeline if I ever work with him!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

lol!!! I've seen a DP go after a director and several crew members had to hold him back and I also watched a really big name actor (one of the ones you would expect to do something like that) tear into an AD but that was a pretty special performance!

 

It does sound like there may have been some legit reason to be upset with the DP but there is no possible way a responce like that was justified. I wonder if Bale would have done that to somebody bigger and stronger than him or if he only went for somebody he thought he could take.... My point is I wonder if Shane Hurlbut was saying to himeself, "Ok, I'm a professional, stay calm" or "Ok, I'm making a boat load of money, stay calm" or "Ok, stay calm or batman is going to kick my ass" or "I want to rip this little fu*kers head off but I don't think the law suit will be worth it".

 

Anybody know if Shane Hurlbut is a big dude?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

Bale got some anger management issues to work out. I've seen this sort of eyeline violation tantrum from a couple of actors you might expect it from before and it's never any fun. Thankfully never aimed at me. Here's the lesson: during the take, sit down and shut up, and no eye contact. And for God's sake why didn't Shane just say I'm sorry and walk away? You can't win in that situation and why take the abuse.

I know Shane and he's average size.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members
If I'm doing my job and not goofing off, I've found that laughing works wonders when someone (producer, director, actor, etc.) goes off the handle.

 

Idiots happen.

 

We're only making a movie.

 

Jerry

 

Jerry I love that comment "Idiots Happen" and your totally right about we are only making movies... I'm sure it will happen in my career that I will have to work on a movie with people like that, hopefully I will be able to leave because it turns into a job that I hate and I just want to get it over with, instead of a passion and a work of art.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

Just wait until he does it to the steadicam operator. "Why the F*ck do you keep walking around during the take" "I'm sorry Christian, but you see this camera is mounted to me and that guy over there who is the director seems to want it to follow you"

 

~Jess

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

i just read somewhere that this incident happened several days prior to his getting arrested in london for assaulting his mother and sister! he was there doing his press junket for batman and supposedly exploded at his family. so much so that the hotel called the cops! i'd say that boy needs a vacation!

 

geoff

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Members

I do feel bad for the DP.

 

Here is "Warner Brothers" response to the leaked audio clip.

 

(At least someone is trying to lighten things up a bit)

 

I do believe that Warner Brothers thinks the clip is awesome.

Look how much Terminator is being talked about?

Any press is good press and Terminator is only what? 3 months away?

Hmm interesting time of the release of the audio clip aye?

 

Do not drink milk while watching this video. It will come out your nose.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjs7v6GGKV4

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...