SleepWalkers Shoot

This weekend I was a PA (production assistant) with the G&E (grip and electric) department for the first days of shooting for "SleepWalkers" a pilot episode for a TV show. This was an incredible learning experience and an awesome way to meet some really cool people to know. I worked closely with a freelance DP and Gaffer, who taught me so much about how a set works and how to be an efficient and effective grip/electrician and PA. I also worked with two amazing guys, our DP and Director. They do those roles professionally with collegehumor.com! I think they liked my work attitude, and I hope to do some more PA work with them this summer, and maybe in the future.

In leu of describing every detail of the many hours of production, I will say a few words, then break down a picture from the weekend.

First off, we started shooting on location in an apartment near Wall Street. Our major challenge (here and in the future) was fitting all of the gear into a Manhattan apartment! Moving everything up from the street and fitting it, along with a 12 person crew into a small place was challenging (and hot and sweaty). We shot at this location all of friday night, and some of the next day. Then we packed it all up, moved 40 blocks north, and did it all again at another apartment.

Now, here is a shot I took on my phone during a shot at the first location (out in the apartments hallway).

The shot taking place here is of two actors coming up in an elevator (camera and sound captured in the elevator) coming out of the elevator and walking down the hallway. In the elevator there was the DP, the AC, the Sound Guy, and the two actors (making out). Everyone then came out of the elevator. The DP moved out and continued his shot of the actors, the sound guy jumped out and kept his boom in position, the AC quickly stayed with the DP and the camera to rack focus as the actors walked away.

In this moment:

Director: watching the monitor on the RED camera to see the shot and performance.

DP (Director of Photography): capturing the shot on the camera.

AC (Assistant Camera Operator): Trying to get his hand on the focus ring on the camera to rack focus ASAP.

Sound Guy: trying to keep his boom at a consistent distance from the actors.

Actors: walking down the hall making out.   

PA (me): standing back waiting for some to need something.

Out of frame people: 

Script Super: writing notes about each shot given by DP, Director, Sound, ect

D.I.T. / 2nd AC: (Digital Imaging Technician is a new job charged with making sound and the massive 4K footage coming out of the camera function properly together, along with handling the footage through post) 2nd AC (same guy) was standing by with the clapper ready for a tail slate.  

Grip/Electric: standing back making sure lights and rigging are functioning properly. OR setting up the lights and rigging for the next shot (2 guys were setting up a dolly elsewhere).