Anton Delfino

So I'm in preliminary discussions with an independent band who is interested in getting a music video produced. I imagine many of you on this site have produced/directed/shot music videos before, but this is my first time. At this point, we've talked about the song, exchanged some thoughts about the concept, and that the band will be responsible for coming up with the budget. I'm not looking to get paid here, just an opportunity to produce a quality product that can benefit me as an aspiring director and a way to get the band another way to market themselves. It's certainly a project I'm excited about, but I don't want to make sure I've got all my bases covered. Anyone have any advice or pitfalls to look out for - whether it has to do with pre-production, negotiation, concept development, and even production - as we move forward? The guy I've been corresponding with - the lead singer - was an ex-coworker, so I don't think he's gonna try and screw me. But I want to be as professional I can be throughout the process. I should say that I do want to direct it. If the band does not buy into the concept 100%, how have you all been able to overcome it? If at all. It is likely that I will also be the producer. I don't think I'm in over my head here, but if it sounds that way, I'd love to know. Thanks for reading, everyone. Much appreciated. - anton

Thanks for the replies, guys. Yes, it was the c-clamp with the teeth, not the smooth smooth face style.

I'd like to get your thoughts on this one. I was rigging a 1.2 HMI to a long wooden beam on the ceiling of a basement. I cranked down a 6" studded c-clamp to the beam and used the point that dropped down perpendicular to the beam. Common sense told me to safety the light to the piece that would have no chance of moving, so I began to tie off the light to the wooden beam. (this is what I have been instructed to do on previous shoots) However, the Gaffer came up and suggested I safety the light onto the rig itself - in this case, tying the light off to the studded c. His logic was that if a Key Grip ever came around and noticed the light safety-ed to anything other than the rig, it would suggest that the rig itself wasn't strong enough. Therefore making me look incompetent. I understand that rigs need to be safe, and I put some hate on that studded c to make sure it cranked down. But it would seem silly to not safety the light to the most sturdy thing (the wooden beam in my case), especially if it's available. How do you guys feel about this? Is my common sense getting the better of me? -anton

Thanks for the quick response. I'll take a look at the site.

Hey guys - First time poster, here but in my quick perusal of the site, there seems to be quite a bit of experienced voices. I'm working on a Columbia University film next week that actually has a budget (how about that?!) For budgetary reasons, they're using the school-owned Chapman Pee Wee (instead of a rented Fisher 11) and would like to rig a Fisher 21 jib onto it. I've done a little bit of web research and I'm finding that the Chapmans use a universal head, which have three teeth, while the Fishers don't - looks like they have 2 teeth on opposite sides. Now, I wanted to see if it was even possible to rig this and if so, what would be needed to make this happen. * Note: On the Fisher site, I noticed there's a center mount that is used when the jib goes on it. Would that same center mount be required for the Chapman as well? Thanks for any help, everyone. It is certainly appreciated. Best, Anton