DAY JOB PRODUCTIONS - STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Orange County has, at best, an inadequate infrastructure for aspiring filmmakers [for our purposes filmmaking and movies are generic for any artform that captures a story to film or digital format for replay at a later date].
DJP was designed, in part, to become a vehicle for empowering amateur, journeymen, and professional filmmakers to get together and collaborate to make 4-6 shorts per year.
Our primary purpose is to create opportunities to make movies for those whose ‘day job’ became permanent, and thus had to abandon their dream of being a full time filmmaker, not unlike many who participate in amateur theater. Also, those on their way up or just wanting to hone their skills and gain some ‘credits’ as they make their way in the filmmaking world are welcome. The Orange County pool of talented but otherwise inactive writers, costumers, camera operators, gaffers, grips, script supervisors, etc, etc is enormous.
We will attract a talented volunteer crew, several people deep in each position and be able to have adequate coverage of people to do pre- and post- production as well as a good crew for the actual shoot plus help others hone their skills. That’s the general idea.
DJP REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP
We don’t expect anyone to be able to participate in all projects and activities but whatever you commit to we expect you to conduct yourself in the following manner:
Be Reliable and Act With Integrity
Manage Commitments
Don’t over commit. If you’re too busy, pass on a project so you don’t get others to count on you and then have to fill in for you at the last minute.
Be On Time
If you are going to miss a commitment, inform the other party at the earliest possible point so they can make alternate arrangements
If you have a conflict with other commitments, negotiate a change or don’t make a new commitment
If you really can’t do something, decline to commit or offer an alternative
OTHER CONCEPTS
Sandlot Filmmaking
When I was a kid growing up in New York City, groups of people would show up at the local sandlot (a makeshift playground, generally unimproved parcels of land that were used to play cops & robbers, hide & seek and pick up games of sports). We'd gather at night or on weekends, everyone bringing their own gear, choose up sides and play some ‘organized’ sport such as baseball and football, etc. We all agreed to respect a set of rules and there was very little whining or complaining. Those who did, rarely got invited back, oftentimes sent home immediately. This was our play time and we didn’t tolerate much BS. People got hurt from time to time and nobody sued or threatened one another. The bragging rights were collective. Of course we had leaders and stars, but everyone who put in an honest effort was treated with respect and valued. Race, gender (even in football), or a myriad of other classifications didn’t matter so long as participants were capable (sometimes only of learning) of giving a full measure of effort, were reliable and treated one another’s person and possessions with respect. I even remember physically challenged kids participating, sometimes in a support capacity only, because they were a member of our community. This is the model we are creating.
If you’re a high maintenance person, this is not the group to join.
What’s In It For Those Who Participate?
First, and foremost is to be a part of the process of storytelling in our chosen artform.
Second, to hopefully walk away with a DVD or some other permanent memento of the ‘shoot’ with your name in the credits for the work you performed.
Third, if we agree the result is good enough, we’ll probably submit to appropriate festivals, cable stations, etc as well as post on the Internet.
What Does It Cost?
Hopefully very little. We expect those who have equipment to volunteer it from time to time to complete a shoot – oftentimes it will be part of the function you are performing (lights, camera, c-stands, post production equipment, etc). Eventually we hope to attract ‘patrons’ who will donate equipment, cash, time, food (craft services), transportation, etc. If not, we expect about 20 people will participate in any given project and might need to chip in $20-$50 each for expendables (Mini-DV tapes, squibs, DVDs for distribution to members, etc. For the most part we expect to be resourceful. One of our members shot a feature (over 70 minutes) for less than $500 and another shot 4 pilot episodes of a one hour series for less than $700, total!
Anything Else?
There will be members who become professional, full time filmmakers. While we can’t force anyone to do so, we would hope they come back from time to time to continue to participate and mentor others. We already have some initial members who actually make a living in the business and are mentoring already. Notwithstanding the headlines of some who are quite self-centered, the vast majority of people in filmmaking, professional and amateur, are decent, hard-working and willing to help one another.
Who’s In Charge?
Different people for different projects. Art Kirsch of OCshowbiz has conceived and organized DJP and is administering it. You can reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Others have begun to assist in the leadership of the group.
That’s the plan. If you have what it takes to ride with this gang, hop on board.
