Crew Call

When you work in production (and if you’re reading this blog, I assume you either do or want to), plans change all the time. As the saying goes, the reed bends with the wind, where the mighty oak breaks. Such was the case yesterday. We had planned for Crew Call producer Chris Henry to make an announcement at the PA Networking event yesterday, but alas, he was offered a gig. And, as long-time readers know, you always take the job. So, instead, I’m making the announcement the old fashioned way, right here on the blog.1 Crew Call is coming back! Season 2 is going to be even better than the first. We’ve got some amazing guests, Chris is working on some technical improvements to the audio, and we’ve got a few surprises I can’t really say anything about yet. But we need your help to make all of that happen. And so, we’re launching a new Kickstarter campaign. Along with buttons, stickers, and the legally mandated crowd funding t-shirt, other backer rewards will include exclusive behind-the-scenes audio, and the chance to pick the subject of an episode. It’s going to be a great season! Footnotes    (? returns to text) A word that didn’t exist twenty years ago.?

It’s the final episode of Crew Call for the year! Today’s guest is an experienced animator, and now technical director. Jason Bierut has worked on The Powerpuff Girls, Mucha Lucha, and most recently, Jake and the Never Land Pirates. He talks about the state of modern animation, and what it takes to break into that industry. You can even take classes from Jason at Studio Arts! Also this week, CAPS Payroll is sponsoring another contest! They’re giving away a pair of tickets to Crew Call listeners for their VIP suite at the Staples Center. The winners will get to choose from a range of events (concerts, sports, etc). Winners will be chosen at random on December 14th during the next TAPA networking event. (You don’t actually have to be physically at the event to win; just pay attention to your Twitter feed, wherever you are.) Chris Henry wrote the Crew Call theme. Follow him on Twitter at @MrStonebender. If you like the show, please rate and review us on iTunes. You can also subscribe via Stitcher, or with the Crew Call xml feed. Back episodes of Crew Call can be found on the Anonymous Production Assistant website. To help support Crew Call, simply click on the Amazon banner before you go shopping:

Today’s guest is one of my favorite people in the world, even though he doesn’t know I’m me.1 Michael Perrotti has been a transportation coordinator since before I even had a license. He’s done movie, TV shows, commercials, you name it. He’s currently the head of the transportation department on Teen Wolf, which should tell you how awesome he is. Also, the Veronica Mars movie! Basically, Mike is in charge of all the cars on my favorite nerd shows. Even if you’re not into cars (which I’m totally not), you’ll enjoy the wide-ranging discussion that covers everything from the work ethic of teamsters to actors who can’t drive. Also, he has some great advice for dealing with traffic, something most PAs will appreciate. The producer of today’s episode was Chris Henry, who also wrote the theme. Follow him on Twitter at @MrStonebender. If you like the show, please rate and review us on iTunes. You can also subscribe via Stitcher, or with the Crew Call xml feed. Back episodes of Crew Call can be found on the Anonymous Production Assistant website. To help support Crew Call, simply click on the Amazon banner before you go shopping: Footnotes    (? returns to text) Well, he knows me, but he doesn’t know I’m TAPA.?

Today’s guest is a 2nd AD who got into the DGA the hard way– by earning his days as a set PA. It is not easy. Anthony Robinson tells us about everything from buying lunch to directing background actors, all while maintaining a positive attitude. Here’s a little secret that even Anthony doesn’t know– I’ve been a PA on a show with him, and I can vouch for the fact that he is easily the happiest-go-luckiest AD I’ve ever seen. If you’re a fan of Survivor, you may recognize Anthony from the Fiji season a few years ago. He didn’t win, obviously; if you won a million dollars, you wouldn’t continue being a PA, either. The producer of today’s episode was Chris Henry, who also wrote the theme. Follow him on Twitter at @MrStonebender. If you like the show, please rate and review us on iTunes. You can also subscribe via Stitcher, or with the Crew Call xml feed. Back episodes of Crew Call can be found on the Anonymous Production Assistant website. To help support Crew Call, simply click on the Amazon banner before you go shopping:

Today’s guest is a voice you may find familiar– our very own producer, Chris Henry. Besides recording and editing Crew Call, Chris is an on-set sound mixer for indie movies. He’s relatively new to Los Angeles, and so I felt his experiences might be useful to some of the younger listeners out there, who are just starting out. Sound is a tough department, because it’s vitally important, yet is often everyone’s last thought. It shouldn’t be your last thought though. The producer of today’s episode was Chris Henry, who also wrote the theme.1 Follow him on Twitter at @MrStonebender. If you like the show, please rate and review us on iTunes. You can also subscribe via Stitcher, or with the Crew Call xml feed. Back episodes of Crew Call can be found on the Anonymous Production Assistant website. To help support Crew Call, simply click on the Amazon banner before you go shopping. Footnotes    (? returns to text) Basically, Chris did everything except write this footnote.?

Today’s episode features yet another department about which I know precious little. Our guest is a production designer, Vincent Reynaud. We talk about color, design, and many things I just plain don’t understand. Plus, Vincent has a delightful accent. The producer of today’s episode was Chris Henry, who also wrote the theme. (I screwed up the recording on this particular ep, and Chris put in a heroic effort to save the audio. If you don’t like it, blame me!) If you like the show, please rate and review us on iTunes. You can also subscribe via Stitcher, or with the Crew Call xml feed. Back episodes of Crew Call can be found on the Anonymous Production Assistant website. To help support Crew Call, simply click on the Amazon banner before you go shopping.

Today’s guest is Eden Miller, a costume designer who’s worked on everything from soap operas to features. She’s even designed her own fashion line, Cabiria! This is one of those episodes where I went in almost totally blind. I know almost nothing about this department. Luckily, Eden knows everything, and gives us the lowdown from top to bottom. Even if, like me, you aren’t particularly into fashion, you’ll be fascinated to hear about all the work and care that goes into each and every costume. The producer of today’s episode was Chris Henry, who also wrote the theme. (I screwed up the recording on this particular ep, and Chris put in a heroic effort to save the audio. If you don’t like it, blame me!) If you like the show, please rate and review us on iTunes. You can also subscribe via Stitcher, or with the Crew Call xml feed. Back episodes of Crew Call can be found on the Anonymous Production Assistant website. To help support Crew Call, simply click on the Amazon banner before you go shopping.

Pictured above: The Anonymous Production Assistant It had to happen some time, folks. Twenty amazing episodes, and then PPPBLLT. Due to technical difficulties, there will be no Crew Call this week. I could explain to you what went wrong,1 but I don’t want to bore you with the details. All you need to know is, Crew Call will be back next week with yet another amazing, below-the-line interview. Footnotes    (? returns to text) Not really, but Chris could.?

Today’s guest is Ryan Murphy. No, not the creator of Glee and American Horror Story. He’s above the line. Our Ryan Murphy is a line producer, with Danger Close Media. Don’t let the word “producer” in the title fool you. He’s not the kind of producer who wears slick suits and shows up on set once a week, then takes all the credit at the premiere. A line producer is the guy who gets his hands dirty. He’s boots-on-the-ground, every day, in the office or on set, making sure everything gets done. Many shows need the deal makers and schmoozers at some point to get the money and the stars, but nothing can get made without a line producer. Ryan tells us about learning at the feet of director Michael Corrente, making a movie that people actually want to buy, and honesty. Yes, a producer is talking about honesty. I hope you’re sitting down. Ryan also told me he’s happy to answer follow-up questions you might have after listening to today’s episode. His email can be found on the Danger Close Media website. That’s a very kind offer, but remember he’s a busy guy. Please be considerate when deciding whether you should contact him or not. The producer of today’s episode was Chris Henry, who also wrote the theme. If you like the show, please rate and review us on iTunes. You can also subscribe via Stitcher, or with the Crew Call xml feed. Back episodes of Crew Call can be found on the Anonymous Production Assistant website. To help support Crew Call, simply click on the Amazon banner before you go shopping.

  Our guest today is an Emmy-nominated editor: Scott Powell. Scott has cut such shows as 24, Person of Interest, and Hawaii Five-0 (the new one; he’s not that old). There’s still time to enter the CAPS Payroll contest! They’re giving away two pairs of tickets to Crew Call listeners for their VIP suite at the Staples Center. The winners will get to choose from a range of events (concerts, sports, etc). Winners will be chosen at random on Sept. 21st during the next TAPA networking event. (You don’t actually have to be physically at the event to win; just pay attention to your Twitter feed, wherever you are.) You’ll have to listen to last week’s episode to find out exactly what you have to do to win.1 The producer of today’s episode was Chris Henry, who also wrote the theme. If you like the show, please rate and review us on iTunes. You can also subscribe via Stitcher, or with the Crew Call xml feed. Back episodes of Crew Call can be found on the Anonymous Production Assistant website. To help support Crew Call, simply click on the Amazon banner before you go shopping. [[2]]To help you with the spelling, they are @CAPSPayroll, and I’m @TheAnonymousPA.[[2]] Footnotes    (? returns to text)   Our guest today is an Emmy-nominated editor: Scott Powell. Scott has cut such shows as 24, Person of Interest, and Hawaii Five-0 (the new one; he’s not that old). There’s still time to enter the CAPS Payroll contest! They’re giving away two pairs of tickets to Crew Call listeners for their VIP suite at the Staples Center. The winners will get to choose from a range of events (concerts, sports, etc). Winners will be chosen at random on Sept. 21st during the next TAPA networking event. (You don’t actually have to be physically at the event to win; just pay attention to your Twitter feed, wherever you are.) You’ll have to listen to last week’s episode to find out exactly what you have to do to win.{{1}} The producer of today’s episode was Chris Henry, who also wrote the theme. If you like the show, please rate and review us on iTunes. You can also subscribe via Stitcher, or with the Crew Call xml feed. Back episodes of Crew Call can be found on the Anonymous Production Assistant website. To help support Crew Call, simply click on the Amazon banner before you go shopping. [[2]]To help you with the spelling, they are @CAPSPayroll, and I’m @TheAnonymousPA.?