Great day on set, cast-wise!

Alex Taylor · November 10th, 2003, 08:26 PM

I didn't know Charles was involved in Office Space! I loved that movie!

Jason Casey · November 11th, 2003, 02:14 PM

I have actually been watching that show, the camera work is very interesting. Looks like most of it is handheld work, not a lot of tripod shots. It definately gives the show a diffrent "feel" than a lot of the other stuff on TV. I feel sorry for the camera guys though, must be hell lugging around a camera on your shoulder all day!

Charles Papert · November 14th, 2003, 09:41 PM

Looks like "Arrested Development" is more arrested, less development--I was just called to work on their "final episode" to be shot in a couple of weeks. Hmmm. Bummer.

Yeah, I walked out of there with a sore shoulder! Shooting that much handheld with a full-size camera is an acquired "muscle"--I'm sure Wayne Orr will agree on that one.

The Charles Papert game...you guys are killing me!

OK, I can one-up you guys--Imran:

I looked up "Tremors" and found two guys (production designer and first assistant director) who I have worked with who were also on that show. That's one less degree of separation!

Rob:

Brian Grazer, being so prolific, is pretty easy. He produced "Intolerable Cruelty", which I did some Steadicam for; he produces "Miss Match", which guest starred an actress whom I directed in an Instant Film recently; and he produced "Blue Crush", directed by John Stockwell for whom I operated on "Crazy/Beautiful".

But as of yet, I haven't worked with Kevin Bacon--that will really simplify this game! (I did just work with Barry Levinson, who directed Bacon in "Diner", though...)

Wayne Orr · November 15th, 2003, 01:50 AM

Too bad about "Arrested Development." I know what it's like to work on a show you really like but can't find an audience, since I did "Sports Nite" for two seasons. It was one of my favorite experiences in my career, but it just couldn't get enough viewers.

Many years ago, I was assigned to work on a special, and when I showed up somewhat late for work, they said, "Well, I guess you're doing the hand-held camera." I was not looking forward to that and said I would do it for five dollars an hour more, and almost got bounced, but they got someone else to do it without the five bucks. He worked his ass off and I sat in a chair in the audience for three days watching him bust his butt. From that day I said I want more money for hand-held camera, and I got it. Now it's standard for camera operators in video to get more money for hand-held work, as they deserve. Same with jib operators. Not so on film shoots, and since most of the 24P shows are being done by film operators, they get screwed. Problem; too many film operators and not enough work. I hope you were able to get above scale, Charles, for all that work, but I doubt it. I did the hand-held shots on the "George Lopez" Halloween show, and I have to say, I hate the Panavision/Sony camera. Very unfriendly. And no extra money. But I do enjoy the show, as it has really come up with some great scripts, and the cast is wonderful. George makes it a real pleasure. What a talent he is. And do we eat good Mexican! Delicioso!

Our current director on "Lopez" is John Pasquin. Have you ever worked with him, Charles? He takes the multiple camera show to another level. Somewhat reminds me of "Sports Nite," with Tommy Schlamme, Alex Graves, Don Scardino. Sigh. Miss those guys. (but not the hours)

Wayne

Charles Papert · November 15th, 2003, 01:57 AM

Actually, Wayne, "Arrested" did pay overscale for the operators, much to my surprise. I've long felt that handheld is potentially more injurious to the body over the long run than Steadicam, despite the common wisdom that Steadicam ruins your back, which it generally doesn't. Although some of the more physically awkward positions I've had to hold have been, oddly enough, on the dolly. It's part of the reason I invested in a set of Hot Gears.

Schlamme and Graves I worked with on "The West Wing" (obvious connection between that and Sports Night). Both very talented directors.

Joe Carney · November 17th, 2003, 04:14 PM

Fox seems to be killing of their shows before they get a chance to build an audience. Skin was much better than the sappy 'Las Vegas'. Surprisingly well written tale (I know it's a modern day Romeo and Juliet). They didn't give it or Arrested Development enough time to uhhhhmmmm Develop. The program director at Fox is either too desperate or too stupid(or both) to handle the job. Instead we get more nauseating Joe Millionaire.

Alex Taylor · November 19th, 2003, 10:48 PM

Yeah, the shelf life of FOX shows is becoming disturbingly like British sitcoms.. maybe even less than that!

Joe Carney · November 21st, 2003, 03:34 PM

Fortunately, I own the first two seasons of the British version
of 'Coupling' on DVD. I'll get the third when it comes out.

Now if BBCA would only start airing more recent episodes of Graham Norton!!!! And not the censored stuff either!!!

Rob Belics · November 24th, 2003, 01:18 PM

tvguide.com and Variety have said 22 more episodes have been picked up.

Charles, did something change last minute? I know you're not there every day.

Charles Papert · November 25th, 2003, 06:55 AM

Not sure. I was called to work on the "last episode" this week. I haven't been working on the show since that first day, I've been booked on other things. I'm glad to hear it got a pickup.

November 10th, 2003, 08:26 PM	#16
Alex Taylor Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 390	I didn't know Charles was involved in Office Space! I loved that movie! __________________ alextaylor.org

November 11th, 2003, 02:14 PM	#17
Jason Casey Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 93	I have actually been watching that show, the camera work is very interesting. Looks like most of it is handheld work, not a lot of tripod shots. It definately gives the show a diffrent "feel" than a lot of the other stuff on TV. I feel sorry for the camera guys though, must be hell lugging around a camera on your shoulder all day! __________________ Jason Casey www.jcmediaservices.com www.kickbacktracks.com Royalty Free Video Production Loops!

November 14th, 2003, 09:41 PM	#18
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Looks like "Arrested Development" is more arrested, less development--I was just called to work on their "final episode" to be shot in a couple of weeks. Hmmm. Bummer. Yeah, I walked out of there with a sore shoulder! Shooting that much handheld with a full-size camera is an acquired "muscle"--I'm sure Wayne Orr will agree on that one. The Charles Papert game...you guys are killing me! OK, I can one-up you guys--Imran: I looked up "Tremors" and found two guys (production designer and first assistant director) who I have worked with who were also on that show. That's one less degree of separation! Rob: Brian Grazer, being so prolific, is pretty easy. He produced "Intolerable Cruelty", which I did some Steadicam for; he produces "Miss Match", which guest starred an actress whom I directed in an Instant Film recently; and he produced "Blue Crush", directed by John Stockwell for whom I operated on "Crazy/Beautiful". But as of yet, I haven't worked with Kevin Bacon--that will really simplify this game! (I did just work with Barry Levinson, who directed Bacon in "Diner", though...) __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

November 15th, 2003, 01:57 AM	#20
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Actually, Wayne, "Arrested" did pay overscale for the operators, much to my surprise. I've long felt that handheld is potentially more injurious to the body over the long run than Steadicam, despite the common wisdom that Steadicam ruins your back, which it generally doesn't. Although some of the more physically awkward positions I've had to hold have been, oddly enough, on the dolly. It's part of the reason I invested in a set of Hot Gears. Schlamme and Graves I worked with on "The West Wing" (obvious connection between that and Sports Night). Both very talented directors. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

November 19th, 2003, 10:48 PM	#22
Alex Taylor Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 390	Yeah, the shelf life of FOX shows is becoming disturbingly like British sitcoms.. maybe even less than that! __________________ alextaylor.org

November 15th, 2003, 01:50 AM	#19
Wayne Orr Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northridge Ca Posts: 734	Too bad about "Arrested Development." I know what it's like to work on a show you really like but can't find an audience, since I did "Sports Nite" for two seasons. It was one of my favorite experiences in my career, but it just couldn't get enough viewers. Many years ago, I was assigned to work on a special, and when I showed up somewhat late for work, they said, "Well, I guess you're doing the hand-held camera." I was not looking forward to that and said I would do it for five dollars an hour more, and almost got bounced, but they got someone else to do it without the five bucks. He worked his ass off and I sat in a chair in the audience for three days watching him bust his butt. From that day I said I want more money for hand-held camera, and I got it. Now it's standard for camera operators in video to get more money for hand-held work, as they deserve. Same with jib operators. Not so on film shoots, and since most of the 24P shows are being done by film operators, they get screwed. Problem; too many film operators and not enough work. I hope you were able to get above scale, Charles, for all that work, but I doubt it. I did the hand-held shots on the "George Lopez" Halloween show, and I have to say, I hate the Panavision/Sony camera. Very unfriendly. And no extra money. But I do enjoy the show, as it has really come up with some great scripts, and the cast is wonderful. George makes it a real pleasure. What a talent he is. And do we eat good Mexican! Delicioso! Our current director on "Lopez" is John Pasquin. Have you ever worked with him, Charles? He takes the multiple camera show to another level. Somewhat reminds me of "Sports Nite," with Tommy Schlamme, Alex Graves, Don Scardino. Sigh. Miss those guys. (but not the hours) Wayne

November 17th, 2003, 04:14 PM	#21
Joe Carney Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Centreville Va Posts: 1,828	Fox seems to be killing of their shows before they get a chance to build an audience. Skin was much better than the sappy 'Las Vegas'. Surprisingly well written tale (I know it's a modern day Romeo and Juliet). They didn't give it or Arrested Development enough time to uhhhhmmmm Develop. The program director at Fox is either too desperate or too stupid(or both) to handle the job. Instead we get more nauseating Joe Millionaire.

November 21st, 2003, 03:34 PM	#23
Joe Carney Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Centreville Va Posts: 1,828	Fortunately, I own the first two seasons of the British version of 'Coupling' on DVD. I'll get the third when it comes out. Now if BBCA would only start airing more recent episodes of Graham Norton!!!! And not the censored stuff either!!!

November 24th, 2003, 01:18 PM	#24
Rob Belics Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 581	tvguide.com and Variety have said 22 more episodes have been picked up. Charles, did something change last minute? I know you're not there every day.

November 25th, 2003, 06:55 AM	#25
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Not sure. I was called to work on the "last episode" this week. I haven't been working on the show since that first day, I've been booked on other things. I'm glad to hear it got a pickup. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com