Gaffer & Gear 135 - Best Advice I Ever Got
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- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
- Gaffer & Gear 135 - Best Advice I Ever Got
Index
00:00 Intro
00:48 How much to charge
03:31 How much effort and care
05:56 Pay v Effort
06:31 Reasons not excuses
07:30 Be nice
09:41 Ask why you get hired
10:35 Never criticize others work
11:09 DPs advice to a Camera Op
12:13 Lack or resources
12:45 The "Honey Trap" - Фільми й анімація
One of the most informative and professionally valuable filmmaking videos I've watched in a LONG time. Thank you for the shared wisdom!
I Totally agree 100% !
'Buy cheap......buy twice'
'Keep the drama in front of the camera'
'Don't buy Came TV products'...............ok, so the last one i made up myself. Brilliant video Andrew, thanks for sharing
What's the other saying "The sweetness of a cheap price is outlasted by the bitterness of poor quality"
Buy once cry once 😎
I like those!
Aka. "You can't buy cheaply... it's too expensive." 😊
I like my Came-TV Steadicam, what I don’t like is all my friends remarking that I have Came all over me 😅
Amazing episode. The amount of humbleness and humility you represent gives a clear message that you're a true professional💪
Wow. What good advice. I've been in the business over 50 years, most of it as a DP. Everything you've said is right on. I loved your projection of how your career was going to go. I've been thinking recently about my own long career arc. Good god, such ups and downs. And the times I used to wake up at five in the morning, worried, because work was not coming in. Thinking about how I was going to survive, pay the bills. Yet I did. I can't tell you the number of times I've thought of leaving the business, but shooting is what I love to do. What a business.
"Pick your battles and when to fight them - not everything is worth the drama but sometimes you need to stand up for yourself and your business"
Pure GOLD
Thank you.
Also- “this is not to scale” had me laughing very loud for very long
Same!
This is the most honest advice I've heard on UA-cam.
I’ve given several production companies and individuals a good rate because they’re either starting out or have a low budget.... believe the advice here, they flick you when someone cheaper comes along. Now I ask for full details of the job and price accordingly and get 25% of my quotes....
I hate it when you help them out, and as soon as they get a real job, flick!
Full details so important - I am still squeemish when negotiating with clients. Too focused on pleasing them and landing the job that I don't want to come across as pushy etc by asking for strict details but it always means if accepted, the job drags on and can end up a negative experience anyway.
Need to have confidence in the money and planning side. Andrew is so spot on about relationships - Volunteer or low paying work, fun as it can be, at 28 now is not helping to move life to the next step. Also like Andrew and many of us here, this type of creative work is about the only thing I can flow into on a daily basis with some ease, solving creative problems etc. Stressful as that can be I'd take it any day over whatever else is going.
Some great advice here, not just for your profession but for anyone who is in a "you don't work, you don't eat" career. But you did neglect to mention that if you start a UA-cam channel, the dump trucks full of money just keep backing up to your door! ;-)
Mate, keep it between us! I don't want everyone getting a share of my likes
i laughed so hard when you told not to come ask for advice because you went almost bankrupt twice. The sheer honesty is really appreciated
Dear Andrew hello my name is Justin Ray. Thank you for this video. I will save this video for when I forget my trajectory within this community. if only this video existed when I started my filming endeavours way back in 2006.
Andrew, this was just a brilliant video. Your graph of career progression had me laughing hard. Well done.
Thank you for providing more education in 15 minutes than most film schools can give in 4 years
Incredibly sage advice in a painfully honest presentation. There is no better video on how to work within this field and there ain’t a single one of us who wouldn’t benefit from watching it. This channel is an invaluable repository of shared wisdom and advice. It deserves so much more attention.
A devastating criticism/advice indeed - I’m happy you were able to pivot and feel confident venturing into something else.
Hey Andrew, i started to have my own rental house 4 years ago, now I am 28 and I watch your videos nearly every day. I want to thank you so much for this insight in your life and this honesty. Everytime when I am on a down phase (no jobs, no motivation to call clients) I remember your words in this videos: „always be nice“ and i will watch it again for the 20th time. Thank you for this, It motivates me to keep going. Greetings from Austria
Outstanding video! I recently discovered your channel and I am baffled as to how you don’t have many more subscribers, your content is so good!
The best general recap on film industry whatsoever!
I've been In it for 15 years - only the gear is changing, nothing else. Work ethitcs are geting worse and worse.
Still wondering how the hell am I able to sustain a family and a happy mariage with 3 kids. Takes a lot of understanding and commitment from your other half.
Totally hear you. Im looking to have my fist child soon, I am seriously worried.
I'm sorry to hear about your friend Stephen. This episode was extremely wise and helpful for this business.
I'm not in this industry at all. I followed this channel simply because of my personal hobby of photography and my fondness of lighting. I'm grateful for getting genuine advices like this, which apply to all careers, I believe. Thanks for sharing your wisdom as always.
I use what I call the 10/10 rule. I try to invest atleast 10% of what I earn in to something that will last me 10 years. That could be anything from a super clamp to a light or a lens. You will realize after some acquiring of gear that it will pay back fast if you start renting it out. Solved my money problem.
Love it.
Dude - this is one of the best filmmaking videos i’ve seen in a long time. Full disclosure - i HAVE been bankrupt. Im 57 now and its all still a juggle/ hustle. However - it is what it is. And even with Covid shut downs - Im still in the game. You probably find this becomes your most popular video. Love your stuff. Bought my aputure LS 300x and my 12 piece mc travel kit because of you ( love both!). Keep it up.
I have been a fan of this channel for a long time, but this video has probably now made me an evangelist. Some of the best content I have seen. Thank you so much
Absolutely the best advice I’ve ever heard,pity I am 67 I needed this earlier.
This is some of the greatest advice and wisdom I’ve encountered in my 20+ years in this business. So to the point too, wow.
One of the most valuable, introspective videos regarding this business on youtube. The info you share here will take you much further than any gear review ever will.
I felt like I just sat on my uncle's porch, opened a beer and had a heart to heart. Cheers and thanks for sharing!
I don't often comment on social media, but having video like this really helps people who are really passionate in this field or just starting to try out like me. Thank you so much Mr. Andrew for being so generous and honest.
As a sound operator I have the pleasure of working with Andrew a few times each year and as evidenced here he is one of the most thoughtful people to be around on set. He did leave out one of the golden rules.......... Don't stand in the doorway!!!
For the viewers, this is not advice. This is wisdom. Experience comes at a cost and most often to the person experiencing the ups and downs. Wisdom is learning from others sharing their experience, so you can benefit and avoid those pitfalls. As someone in their second career, this knowledge extends beyond the film industry. Thank you for sharing your life lessons. We are better for it.
I almost skipped this video. And it played by accident. I'm 25 and I absolutely love all of the advices. Thank you for sharing.
You are awesome. I agree with all the points. I have my own 25 years experience in the industry and I can attest to all these tips. Spot on good sir!
I don’t usually leave comments, but I felt compelled to here. I’ve been a professional in various industries for about 20+ years including filmmaking, and this is simply the best advice video I’ve seen and it really does cover all of them. From film, music, video games, etc. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Hi Andrew :)
well im from Germany and working in a production agency doing commercials and stuff. And i can absolutely relate to all the advice you give. This is - for me at least, some very very valuable advice and I just wanted to say thank you very much. There is so much copy & pasting and nonsense on this platform and here i am finding a real piece of gold :) Thank you!
Ah and btw i would love to have your experience (and your van - i'm binge watching your channel :D) on one of our sets.
Cheers from the cold europe
Sorry for your loss. All of this advice rings true.
dude, this is such great advice. Film schools all over the world should license this video.
Not to be mean, but I’m happy that your job was cancelled so that you could make this very special episode. This is great advise that everyone should listen carefully to. The clock never runs backwards in life, there is no “Groundhog Day” scenario where you can have infinite do overs. It’s important to be yourself and be bold, but it’s just as important to heed the advice of those who have tread the same road before.
Dude the Honey Trap is real you could do a whole video on it, also for Freelancers shooting weddings or similar videos that can seem like easy loads of cash when you're young (and honestly at that age it often IS loads of cash, we just don't have perspective to see how quickly it will dry up)
This happened to young me thinking 30k/40k USD a year (back in 2008) as a wedding videographer/freelancer was all I would ever need. Now I have a family, house and first son and totally understand how fast adult life hits you especially in 2022.
I Love your honesty man, I ended up finding I was happier having a full time job and shooting on the side instead of trying to shoot a bunch of weddings and portraits that I hated and weren't bringing me any higher profile jobs. Luckily I actually found a full time job shooting product videos and photos where I am the DOP/Director and I love it. Just had to tough it out and work in other sectors while I plugged away at learning filmmaking.
Great advice Andrew!!!
I'm a DP here in the NYC and happened upon your thread when deciding to purchase a couple Aperture 600D's. I now own two full sets and love them. Your videos were one of the deciding factors. Thank you 🙏
The advise your offering is gold for young G&E crew. I worked on all types of shoots from union to non-union, high end to low end and have seen all types of G&E crews, good and bad.
What I look for in a G&E crew is to show up early, bring your A game and be ready to work, support me with input and your presence on set, work efficiently-neatly-quietly-quickly and never talk down to our crew. I light many of my smaller shoots but on the larger shoots with a full G&E department the best gaffers are always near a monitor when they're not working on set. I have no time for crew that are off chatting about their worlds, having a smoke or on the phone when I need them. If I'm working harder on the light than they are then I don't need them.
Your job selection advise is right on. Let the low end go by the wayside, you'll never be appreciated there for your talent, and accept those jobs that challenge and allow your to go home feeling accomplished.
🤙
This video should be the first class at every single film school in the world. Thanks for the wisdom!
I never comment on any videos normally but Each and every advice given by you is the most realistic and professional .🙏🏻
Fantastic advice, Andrew! Very sorry about your friend as well.
This is great advice in any field and in life.
Forever grateful for the incredible professional life hacks you shared. Thank you from Ghana West Africa.
My condolences on the loss of your friend, Sir. My appreciation to you for sharing some of the most sage advice -- in any industry of life!
A friend recommended I watch this video. This one really hit home. I've been really frustrated with the amount of work I've been crushed under lately. I think I've had one client say no to my rate in the last 8 years.
Andrew, the income chat is real, as well as the "why are you hiring me?" question. I've entered this industry at a later age (31) and also in a smaller city with not much variety. After 8 years at it, I suddenly realised the need for income at my age and more importantly, going forward to 50. Currently I can't really venture into my wants as, same as you, cinematography, but also, I can 't improve my lighting either due to the small city, thus, I am making additions and once covid travel allows, moving to a geographical location that offers more variety of clients and income which will also allow me to better my lighting and explore my wants as a cine. Thanks as always for your vids, this one as well.
Thank you for sharing this incredibly valuable advice. It's a nice break from the norm on UA-cam talk about people and relationships and the care of each. As I get older and reflect on my time in the business I'm seeing where all this advice is coming from in relation to my career. ☺️
Brilliant stuff Andrew - I didn’t think this channel could get any better but this type of advice is worth its weight in gold. It’d be excellent if you could do one of these type of episodes every couple of months - you literally could be saving some folk years of struggle and failure with these nuggets. You could also do an episode on some epic fails, etc, on set. I personally have learnt most from screwups and errors and always see them as great lessons to learn. Cheers from Ireland!
I will definitely do one on how I almost went broke.
@@gaffergear I love your gear reviews (literally the best light reviews on youtube) but I get even more value from this business/life advice!
Watched this when you first posted it and again just now. What a generous basket of riches this is. I wish I'd happened upon something like this when I first started. Thank you again.
Thnx for the advice. I would like to hear how close you almost got bankrupt. Maybe we can learn from it. Thnx
It will be a long video, but I feel I need to do it as other young gaffer are making the exact same mistakes
@@gaffergear any time you're ready we're here to learn.
Mate, I watched this video a year ago when I first went full effort into my business. I think at the time WAS the best advice I ever got. Thanks so much.
This is why he's one of my favorite people on youtube.
Thanks for sharing this Andrew. I'm not a Gaffer, but I think these pieces of advice are simply amazing food for thought for anyone running their own small business. It's made me think more about how I want my photography business to be in a longer term.
You are so organized, professional and caring on your stuff that renting has to be a real pain for you
Mate I am bookmarking this all the way to forever. This is the best advice I have heard anyone said from anything ever.
I'm going to forward this to any job I interview in the future, just to show them my expectation.
Thank you!
This is the best advice about getting the best advice that I've ever got.
@Andrew, I've followed your channel since day one. Nothing less than stellar. Thankyou! My brick-layer father always hammered "You're only as good as your last job! There are the professionals and everything else is less. " followed by " Watch your back and your tongue, one will always decide when you're no longer able to work!" Lastly, "Your actions and words are like bullets, once fired they can't be called back!" The Marine Corps taught me the secret to taking the shot is knowing NOT to. I apply it to the secret to being an asshole is knowing when NOT to be one. Cheers, brother!
Love it
Your videos are usually amazing but this was exceptional. Thank you
Jeez this is just a gold mine of a video
these are advices are Gold guys... and the 80% of it is applicable to all departments... simply gold
This is great! So incredibly accurate. To your point about not working with the 20% of penny pinchers - at least in my experience, those jobs often require way more effort and the conditions are usually horrible: Crappy food, distant locations, producers trying to re-neg on OT while you're on the 14th hour, often poor planning and few support staff. And... usually the 20% of projects you wouldn't put on a CV either unfortunately.
Hey Andrew I’m a pretty fresh gaffer starting out in the Gold Coast and your videos are the best resource for learning the life and business aspects of working in film. Love your work man :))
If you're even in Melbourne hit me up
Gold Coast crew, represent!
@@gaffergear it’d be a pleasure mate :)
This was so timely in my life, you have no idea. Thank you for taking the time to make this!
Andrew. I’m only 2 minutes in and this so so insightful and helpful. Such a logical and practical approach
Such beautiful advice. Thank you for sharing. It is so rare to hear such things here on the internet.
Sorry for your loss, Andrew. This video is gold!
I wanted ask you for another topic: could you please share some tips, how to arrange storage, pack the van and keep the sets tidy? Anything tip that helps keep things organized would be great. Greetings from OCD :)
I hate it when I get a new assistant and they are not organised. I need neat to work fast. Definitely an episode, thanks
Fantastic, looking forward to seeing it. Thanks a lot for your great work, Andrew. Have a nice one!
This is probably one of my favorite videos of yours. I rewatch it every so often just to remind myself of some great addvice. Can you possibly do a video talking about almost going bankrupt twice? Probably not something you like talking about but I think it would be very helpful for a lot of people (including me) to hear to try to not make the same mistakes.
This is some real career-building advice. Thank you! Your words have not been taken lightly.
The honeytrap is real. Feels like a lot of money when you're young....but your rate doesn't magically go up when you have a kid
This is what true Wisdom teaches! Thank you for sharing this info with everyone. It's only learned in the school of hard knocks as they say here in the states.
Hi! I’m your follower from Russia
And this is the greatest video I’ve ever watched talking about production!
Thank you for your Advice.
As i strive to be a Compositor and i am already seeing the Real Time VFX Solutions putting me out of Buisiness more and more.
Film as a Medium is always changing.
Good life advice that applies to many different facets of life, not just video/lighting.
Andrew, this was incredible. I had heard the first few before and have conducted myself according to them, but then you continued and opened my eyes to how I can be much better. This is an amazing video!
Thank you Andrew, I will be watching this video over and over for the rest of my film career.
I'm not in your exact business but I'm in "the business", and I loved your advice. So honest and heartfelt. Thank you.
This is by far one of the best videos on the industry I’ve seen in awhile. Thanks
Sound advice for sure! Love the one on care no more or no less than the director and head of department, solid advice! Thank you!
The Honey Trap is so true. Wish I'd understood this fact 20 years ago. Nice work!
Stumpled upon your channel, I'm a photographer, you got a lot of charisma and great info! Gonna watch a lot of your videos.
Well said. Love the advise. Iv been in the business 20+ and I couldn't agree more with everyone of these point. The last one is something I'm still struggling with and always a great reminder to focus back on it. Like all of the advice. Thanks so much.
I always comeback here to re-listen to good advice. That's amazing content, Andrew!
One of your best videos. Wish somebody would have been around to give me this advice in one good dose when I started out in lighting. Instead, took decades to pick it up bit by bit.
This is such quality advice, really is something that so many people struggle with starting out.
Good advice Andrew there have been Quiet times in the industry where I had to got a normal job for a while just to make ends meet, it was like having teeth pulled but sometimes there's just no work around and that's the only option.
Most of my crews have outside jobs now. Its the "bread and butter" in the slow times and the " icing on the cake" in the good times. Or they are working in other departments on other days.
Malin, juste et même émouvant.
Witty, relevant and surprisingly moving.
Merci !
Thank you for taking time to do this Andrew. Absolutely brilliant advice for new (and some of us older) creatives!
Great practical advice here. A very humble approach as well, placing priority over the advice given to you instead of the ‘here’s my tip’ approach.
New sub from Melbourne!
This was great, Im in California just 33 and just hustling as much as possible as a DP. I have a day job as a producer for a local cable company working commercials, trying to land side gigs and freelance work when I can. Trying to balance PTO for vacation while draining it for freelance work to make more money. Accumulating gear for renting is also difficult as California is flooded with rental houses. This was really amazing advice, lately I have been swamped with anxiety and uncertainty of my career path, but its good to remember that I am not alone. A lot of my friends make good money or not or have families and I sometimes wonder where my life will lead. This career is definitely not one faint of heart. Takes a lot of heart, bravery, and dedication/commitment. Thank you!
Love the honesty, incredibly helpful. Thank you
The Honey Trap part hits very close to home, I've been a working music producer and guitar teacher for some years now and while I do have a kinda regular income with music I always kept my office day job for the health insurance and, of course, contractual monthly income. It's not the rock n roll dream life but it sure as hell let's me sleep just a bit better at night. I just started to get really into lighting gear so your channel has been a gold mine. Thanks Andrew, you rock!
Brilliant! Can't wait to watch this. Great topic. Thank you 🙏🏾
Sorry for your loss, Andrew. And, as always, thank you for the outstanding content. 👍
Thank you for being so generous with your time and advice!
Andrew thank you so much for the service you give to the industry and to all of us in these wonderful videos. All of it excellent advice and given with such humility. Again, thank you.
Andrew, still after being a gaffer for 25 years in amsterdam , i still just love to hear your advices and explaining new gear. Thanks a million !
thanks for sharing all the wonderful advice, Andrew. truly valuable info.
Thank you very much for the great advice.
May GOD bless you more.
Now this is some straightforward and useful advice from experience. I have always considered your channel as one of very few which actually provide insight into “the industry”. Having worked on several sets myself, I definitely recognise some of your tips. Sometimes I struggle with mindset, especially when wanting to give 100%. I really appreciate the advice on mindset and work ethic. Good on ya!