In the film business you have “above-the-line” and “below-the-line”. Above is the cast, directors (director of photography, maybe), producers. Below the line is everyone else : all of the other departments : Camera, Grip [Shooting - Rigging - Construction] (which is what I am – a rigging grip) , Teamsters, Electricians, Wardrobe, Scenic Artists, Hair & Make-Up, Caterers, Craft Service, Set Dressers, Props, Parking, Production Assistants, Assistant Directors, Sound techs, Video techs. All of those departments are below the line.
If you don’t know what a call sheet is, basically every day we get like a mission plan and it’s two sheets of paper. Page one is the scenes we’re going to shoot that day with info like a short description, cast in scene, length in pages of scene, location. Also are notes for the different departments below this plan for the day.
An excerpt from tomorrow’s call sheet:
Special Requirements : **HEATING TENT FOR CAST**
…… word. it’s not said but – the message is – NOT FOR THE CREW. guess who picked up the heaters that aren’t for us to use…. we did! Guess whose responsibility it is to provide heaters? Not my department! Guess who was doing this as a last minute favor? We did. Guess who’s going to benefit? Everyone above the line. Guess who will get no thanks? We who are just the guys who stand around smoking cigarettes. We’ll get a wrap gift and a party but in reality you’re not a human being you’re a simply appeased and replaceable drone. There are lines drawn that are made very clear. It’s going to be 23 degrees and 20-30mph winds tomorrow night and we’ll be right on the east river. It took me 3 years outside working 4 seasons in #NYC to really learn to dress for any weather. There is no quarter for the crew. I love my job. I love doing what I do. I enjoy the challenge and the benefits of working outside. But all of that is nothing when I’m constantly reminded of the lines that are drawn between people.
‘Donuts’ save me today
thanks Dilla for putting me on to this while I write my time
