Extra help

[Rob Lloyd]

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Hi,

What do other SPC's do when you need an extra pair of hands for a job? I mean more of an assistant to help setup, move things and generally help (not a second shooter or sound guy)?

I don't want to go down the route of hiring someone permanently as I can't justify the cost yet.
Do you have a list of freelancers that you can call on?
Thanks
Rob

[Craig Seeman]

I have a few friends I can trust and pay. For me, a person who knows how I work is important. That they know how I work means the can jump in on things when I'm working on another aspect because they know what I'd want/need from them without explanation.

[Chris Hurd]

It's all about networking. I need to make this site easier to do that. We have a lot of DVi members in the UK.

[Rob Lloyd]

Thanks Chris & Craig,

I agree networking is the key and works well for 2nd shooters, audio, voice overs and graphics. The bit I am struggling with is best described as a 'runner' but that is only needed for about 35% of my work. Friends and family are great to help at last minute but they often have their own jobs/ commitments. I guess like Craig says having someone who knows how you work and just gets on would be great!

Rob

[David Peterson]

Get some keen recent film grad on board, if they work out well, use them again! If they don't... use someone else next time. Rinse and repeat.

[Steven Digges]

Search google, Facebook, and other social media for Audio Visual Freelancer. Video producers often over look this huge resource because they are not familiar with it. AV guys are not just employed at hotels and resorts. There is a large community of freelancers in every city. The very first thing every AV technician learns is signal flow. A very important skill for all of us. From there they learn lighting, video, and audio. The meaning of those three terms is different in their world than it is for video only guys. But it is similar enough to apply. A basic AV tech may be just what you need. Many of them don't shoot at all but have the skills to quickly adapt to your situation. Rates for a basic technician to assist you can be quite reasonable, they can also be all over the scale just like it is for us. If you book through a labor pool agency it can get expensive. The independent freelancers your looking for are out there. Many of them are highly skilled and like to work as video assistants. Others are specialists that command well deserved high rates.

Note that in corporate AV the term "Video Specialist" applies more to projection, switching, screen control, and PowerPoint more than it applies to "shooting video". If a basic tech tells you he shoots video that may mean he has done little more than stand behind a camera and pointed it at a podium. On the other hand AV video is often state of the art video production utilizing the finest broadcast equipment and technicians available. It is all out there. Check Facebook groups in your area and other searches.

Kind Regards,

Steve

[Josh Bass]

Not sure what kind of work you do (Weddings? Corporate? Everything?) but here we would generally call that (cause I do it a lot) a "grip". I would look for someone who knows the basics of how common video production gear like stands, c stands, Divas, etc., whatever you commonly use, works, as well as typical set protocols regarding safety, best practices when setting things up, etc. Another thing to think about is finding someone who will fit well in the environments you work in, and not embarrass you. Some dudes are just too "rough" for a corporate setting, for instance, but are fine on a more informal set like a film.

Yes there are Facebook groups for film crew etc., that's where I would look for the type of help you want. COULD also be a PA/Production Assistant instead of a grip, although I tend to think of PA as a position having less specialized knowledge (might have to show them how to properly set up a c-stand, etc.), but sometimes those terms are fluid and people use them interchangeably.