Michele Peterson

The going rate on a production, with a real budget, is at least $100/day, usually with overtime after 12 hours. $200/ day is the highest I've heard of for a PA, but at that level, don't expect OT. The higher the rate, the more skills someone expects and the longer hours. Always factor in the working conditions (ie working in extreme temperatures) and hours they expect. A lot of companies play games about daily and weekly overtime. Weekly/monthly salary should be higher than the equivalent day rates, since salaried positions don't usually have OT. My personal opinion, coming from my own experience, you don't need to "learn" to be a PA. The PA position is the entry level position, where you don't need experience to do the task required. You can go to Starbucks already, right? I have been one to intern in the past, but I learn the hard way that some people take advantage of you once they know you'll work for free, they won't ever want to pay you. If they don't have money to pay you know, how much can you count on them having more money later? If it happens they do, great, but be realistic. If you're going to work for free, my suggestion is that you do it in a position (in a department you want o be in) where you really learn skills, like how to load a camera mag, or work a c-stand properly. If they want you to work for free, they need to understand that you're only going to be doing so to learn, so they better be willing to spend the time to teach you something. There is a fine line between paying your dues, and being taken advantage of, and each person needs to decide where that line is for themselves. If they treat you poorly and don't pay, don't be afraid to quit or turn down the offer (just don't literally walk off without an explantion). So what if someone who won't pay you won't hire you again?

I'm not expecting anyone to hold my reel up to a DP's. You have to consider it in relative terms. I'm just starting out (as my resume suggests) and working on it. The footage I currently have up is from a reality/doc show. The jobs I go on don't expect it to be compared to a DP twice my age and experience. I was hoping for my suggestions on the layout of the page, as I am not a graphic designer and not an expert in that area. Why not list the camera I do have? I never said it was spectacular, but I often get asked what camera I do have, so I list it and put a picture up so anyone asking isn't deceived thinking I have something more. I don't get why so many people are so against someone doing more than one thing. A well rounded person has additional hobbies and life experiences. I'm not trying to do every single job on a production. Yes I'm an EMT, I do set medic work and have been asked if I have a website, so I include it. I'd much rather be on set as a medic than sitting at home not earning any money and missing out on an opportunity to learn something on set and meet people. Other camera people constantly tell me never to mention, or leave it out completely, but it has been the skill that tops the cake and separates me from everyone else and helped me get A LOT of jobs. I also have done grip work. I think gaining experience as a grip is great knowledge for working my way up to being a DP. Since I'm just starting out, I'm willing to do more than one job in order to keep employed and learning. So that my reasoning for including multiple things. ~Michele

I think your website it looks great. It really shows artistic/graphic design ability. The only small change you might want to consider, is to have your resume listed on a page on the site in addition/instead of having to download it. It's really more of a personal preference, but often I don't like to download stuff from sites I don't know.

You might want to add a page that lists your credits, or resume and an imdb link if you have it.

Thanks to anyone willing to give me constructive criticism on my website. I know the quality of my reel is very low, but that can't be changed, since the production company didn't give me copies of the footage, most of it was taken from a recording when the show aired. http://tigershell.googlepages.com

Is the program part-time? I thought it was full-time.

Not every PA job will lead directly into a position in the camera dept. It takes time and effort. It can take years to get the experience and build the network. Keep taking every opportunity you can, you never know which PA job will lead somewhere. At least you're able to learn by observing others, and paying your rent in the mean time. I have taken PA jobs when I had nothing else and they have turned into AC jobs when I was able to prove my abilities and fill their need. Granted I was still running out and picking up lunch, but I was also doing rental preps and returns and helping the camera ops with lens, batteries, filters, etc. (they were video productions, so only the op and myself). If you want to learn equipment better, consider working at a rental house. The downfall is that they usually are full time, leaving only weekends to work on shoots, but it's an investment in yourself by increasing your knowledge, like film school, but you get paid instead of paying out. Let everyone know what you ultimately want to do.

If they are students, contact their teacher and/or Dean. A rental house I once worked for had to use that once for a student production that caused a lot of damage and their credit card declined (the company didn't put a hold on the credit card, only kept the info on file). The kids just ignored phone calls. We finally contacted the school dean, since the students had insurance though the school, but because the damgage was less than the deductible, the kids were responsible for payment. We ended up having to refuse all other students from the school from using school insurance, in order to put the pressure on them (we didn't give out names, just why, but they figured it out). If the credit card has an out of the area address and different phone, it is usually the students home address, calling that as an alternate phone number has been successful in reaching parents and putting pressure on that way. I don't know how you could use a credit card deposit if you don't have a business with a credit card service. Maybe paypal, but I would imagine they still charge an account fee for their services.

Many people have worked for free (myself included) and found future work from some. Everyone will promise copy, credit, meals and future work. Copy, credit and meals, is not an alternative to payThey likely won't have money next time, and be seeking new people to expoilt for free labor all over again. I've only worked for free on short shoots, so 4 days would meet one qualification for me. The poeple also have to understand that what I want out of it is knowledge, if they don't have more than me, or are not willing to teach, then my only recourse is to walk. Why work for someone that is going to leave you high and dry if you get seriously hurt and can never work again for the rest of your life? The difference between professional and amateur (in film, sports or anything) is being paid for it. You have to think of yourself as a pro, before others will. I've only worked for free, when I really get what I want out of it and it doesn't interfere with my paying gigs. My first time loading a film camera, I did for free as a camera PA. If I screwed up, it wasn'te held against me, because they knew I was learning. I specially sought out that no-stress situation to start with. Since it was a low budget, if I screwed up, the people I work withon bigger TV show shooting video wouldn't know of it and hold it against me either. I have worked for free only on low budgets, but not no-budgets. The AC's above me on above shoot, were being paid (low rates, but money) so there was a paying position to move up to if it worked out. If no one is being paid, where is there to go? I have gripped in the past a little bit, and when I did, I never chose a job on what camera they used. As an AC yes, but not as a grip.

Thanks for the advice. My resume did not link correctly to this post. When I originally posted this, my computer glitched and refreshed, and accidentally double posted. For anyone that did not see the other post. Here is my resume again. It also contains set medic jobs I have recently held, but it has been suggested that I should remove them. For this purpose, I'll leave as it is for now. I have found that I get many set medic jobs from producer that I originally met when discussing other positions, then they call me back when they need a medic. (Hey, it gets me on set to meet people, learn, and pays the rent too! :) ) Any and all input is appreciated. Resume__Michele_Peterson.pdf

Hello, I am considering purchasing a camera (the JVC HD200ub). I am curious what has convinced others to make the purchase of prosumer cameras over renting. My incentives are that it will give me more practice operating and might help me get more jobs (low budget most likely). I am also considering doing video services to practice and make some rent money. I am NOT looking to write or direct my own films though. My question is how many people who have made the purchase of a camera, have gotten their money out of it? Has it helped you get more jobs? What do most of you who do buy utilize your cameras for; weddings, corporate videos, your own films? Thanks

Please Anyone? Any opinions at all? (PS sorry about the double post, my computer glitched and now I cannot delete it - if there is a way, please let me know.)

Thanks in advance for taking a look. My concerns: I'm pursing a career in cinematography (which is why I'm on this site) and I want my resume to reflect my career goals. I don't have a specifc objective listed because 1) I don't have much room and 2) I also apply and take other jobs inbetween camera jobs just to pay the rent. I've currently organized it by my position held because I've jumped around as opportunities present themselves, example; after leaving a camera operator position on a very low budget tv show, I started taking PA jobs again, but on higher profile productions. A DP I recently worked with felt very strongly that once someone moves up (ie from PA to 2nd or 2nd to 1st) that you "can't" or shouldn't ever go jumping back and forth between positions, is this a common sentiment? On some positions I held jobs where I filled multiple roles. I worked a couple jobs where I was originally hired as a PA, but was also the only person to fill the role of AC and grip. Those jobs I was the PA/AC/Grip and the producers clearly defined the jobs as such, but it seems like that would be too much to list and still be taken seriously. On those jobs, I was getting lunch, but also setting lights, preping camera and G&E gear and shooting the ocasional 'D' camera. Would I be better to list Camera PA as a more acurate title? Thanks Resume__Michele_Peterson.pdf

Thanks in advance for taking a look. My concerns: I'm pursing a career in cinematography (which is why I'm on this site) and I want my resume to reflect my career goals. I don't have a specifc objective listed because 1) I don't have much room and 2) I also apply and take other jobs inbetween camera jobs just to pay the rent. I've currently organized it by my position held because I've jumped around as opportunities present themselves, example; after leaving a camera operator position on a very low budget tv show, I started taking PA jobs again, but on higher profile productions. A DP I recently worked with felt very strongly that once someone moves up (ie from PA to 2nd or 2nd to 1st) that you "can't" or shouldn't ever go jumping back and forth between positions, is this a common sentiment? On some positions I held jobs where I filled multiple roles. I worked a couple jobs where I was originally hired as a PA, but was also the only person to fill the role of AC and grip. Those jobs I was the PA/AC/Grip and the producers clearly defined the jobs as such, but it seems like that would be too much to list and still be taken seriously. On those jobs, I was getting lunch, but also setting lights, preping camera and G&E gear and shooting the ocasional 'D' camera. Would I be better to list Camera PA as a more acurate title? Thanks

Your PDF of your resume came out scrambled when I downloaded it.

I am looking to get a general idea of what other people charge for second shooter, AC jobs &/or Video Utility day or hourly rates. I don't want to undercut myself or other AC's for that matter by lowering the standard. Union or Non-union. I know there are a lot of variables, such as amount of experience, working conditions, shorter or longer days, extreme weather or not and local area. If people would be kind enough to let me know what they charge for different scenarios I'd really appreciate it. (ie $250/day in LA for 10 hours for 2nd shooter with 5 years production experience (2 years shooting) on low-budget tv shows)