nhaudio Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Do you guys (I'm including myself here) ever feel guilty of helping 'producing' trash TV (commercial/films, etc.)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Mills Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Used to... then I started trying to read the scripts or at least the pitch before taking run of show jobs on long form. Now I factor in a "would I want my mom to watch this?" consideration into whether I want to do the job. Or at least a "do I want my name on this?" I find that since I have applied these filters, I am happier. If a project is borderline, I am inflexible on my monetary negotiations Obviously, not everything I work on is great, but at least I am not just starting my day with the emotion needle stuck on "angry" Dayplaying gigs, it's purely about the money. I find that this filter has removed most reality programming from my calendar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atheisticmystic Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 It's not so much a feeling of guilt as it is a sense that I'm contributing to cultural "noise" that at best means nothing and at worse violates my personal ethics. The more financially secure I've become the more gigs I have rejected, and I look forward to more of that freedom that Mr. Mills speaks of. The remainder of the angst I put into my own writing, hoping to counteract the culture. best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Interesting question. I have worked on shows that I felt I needed a long shower after the day's manufactured drama. Like Christopher, I've sometimes let my rate help weed out the trash. Quite often I don't know a lot about shorter gigs beforehand, so by the time I'm totally appalled, the shoot is over. <g> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Miramontes Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 I always ask for a script before accepting any "scripted work". I did do a Reality Show pilot some time ago now that I honestly wanted to walk off. It was about "bloggers" who make a living by spreading malicious rumors/etc. about celebs. I'll never forget one of the bloggers saying "its my job to find out if you're having an affair...celebrities must accept that since they are in the spotlight that their life is a free-for-all...I don't care if I ruin your life with my gossip/rumors, I have kids to feed". That chick was absolute trash that I wanted to shove my foot sooo deep in her ass! That job was a turning point in which I told myself "self, don't ever do that shit again!". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VASI Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Sometimes you are not in position to reject a job. Sometimes you are. It is not an easy to say no. It is not an easy to do trash. All of that it's too hard when you are in your first business steps. I will continue to do trash, when one day to say no because not fill my aesthetics. And that time it is not now. Am I feel guilty? No. All we need better aesthetic projects with good money. But the business it's not at all beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim M Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 I think the reason we do this stuff besides money is the same as the soldiers reasoning. He does it for the brother next to him in battle. Not many fields besides mom and pop stores will you find the dedication that exists between a Jeff and Don for example. Certainly doesn't exist anymore in the corporate world. I do this job because of people...so far this is the industry that contains people of the most unique sort. Those times I meet extraordinary people behind and in front of the camera make it all worth it for me. Unlike a battlefield this job always produces good/ tellable stories...although some emotional scaring does occur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 " ever feel guilty of helping 'producing' trash TV " if I'm appropriately, and properly paid, not really. Of course I'm not acting in the stuff... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 The only job I ever turned down was "Zombie Strippers", but only because I didn't want it on the top of my IMDb. In hindsight, I should have done it. That was a stupid reason to not do a movie. Could have become a huge cult hit. While I enjoy working on good and interesting things, I'd be broke waiting around to be hired only on "good" content. As long as I feel the content does no harm or doesn't serve to promote some very bad behavior, I'm for hire. I have turned down reality, but only because I'm too lazy to carry gear around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Flaitz Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 The only job I ever turned down was "Zombie Strippers", but only because I didn't want it on the top of my IMDb. In hindsight, I should have done it. That was a stupid reason to not do a movie. Could have become a huge cult hit. Haha, the first 30 minutes of Zombie Strippers contains some of the funniest stuff I've ever seen in a movie. It falls apart very quickly, but I could almost recommend it just on the beginning alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 " I didn't want it on the top of my IMDb " that's what pseudonyms are for... True story: early in my career, I got asked to do a porno, XXX porno. I was concerned, but the rate was decent, so I asked an experienced mentor, who was getting me work on big union stuff, if I should do it or better to turn it down. His reaction: "you aren't acting in it, are you?" (BTW, I was already in SAG)... He reminded me it was paying legal work, and if it made me feel better I could do it as "Mike Kable" or "Mike Rafone". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent R. Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 " I didn't want it on the top of my IMDb " that's what pseudonyms are for... True story: early in my career, I got asked to do a porno, XXX porno. I was concerned, but the rate was decent, so I asked an experienced mentor, who was getting me work on big union stuff, if I should do it or better to turn it down. His reaction: "you aren't acting in it, are you?" (BTW, I was already in SAG)... He reminded me it was paying legal work, and if it made me feel better I could do it as "Mike Kable" or "Mike Rafone". So you took the job? I have the guilt feeling with corporate jobs. No creativity at all and I feel really bad after a long day of work feeling I did nothing worthwhile for the last couple of hours. So I decided not to do so. The paycheck is not worth the miserable feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 " So you took the job? " short answer: yep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Norflus Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 And is it on your imdb page? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gilbert Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Short answer to the original question is no, why should I? If I do a good job then that's all I need to worry about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atheisticmystic Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 I think the reason we do this stuff besides money is the same as the soldiers reasoning. He does it for the brother next to him in battle. Not many fields besides mom and pop stores will you find the dedication that exists between a Jeff and Don for example. Certainly doesn't exist anymore in the corporate world. I do this job because of people...so far this is the industry that contains people of the most unique sort. Those times I meet extraordinary people behind and in front of the camera make it all worth it for me. Unlike a battlefield this job always produces good/ tellable stories...although some emotional scaring does occur This hasn't been my experience. The worst you encounter in the military are incompetent assholes. In entertainment, the incompetent assholes are also narcissistically entitled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 I feel some need to mention that the vast majority of people I've worked with in this industry are good folks. It's the half-vast ones that require fortitude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 " the incompetent assholes are also narcissistically entitled. " care to vent er elaborate..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim M Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 This hasn't been my experience. The worst you encounter in the military are incompetent assholes. In entertainment, the incompetent assholes are also narcissistically entitled. True but at least/hopefully we aren't willing to die for the cause lol that is why they can be narcissistic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim M Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 This hasn't been my experience. The worst you encounter in the military are incompetent assholes. In entertainment, the incompetent assholes are also narcissistically entitled. And what I also mean is yes I'll argue a little here with one of you...but will never let an outside person bad mouth another soundie that I trust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atheisticmystic Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 And what I also mean is yes I'll argue a little here with one of you...but will never let an outside person bad mouth another soundie that I trust. Yeah, I'll buy that. I used to work in an industry where enumerated values and ethics moderated everyones behavior. The entertainment industry is moderated by personalities, so the more powerful or valuable you are, the more that people will co-sign your bad beavior. It's a challenging environment to work in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrider Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 I used to joke "I will work for anybody between Farrahkan and the Klan". I don't want to be a part of anything morally reprehensible, but reality tv isn't exactly morally bankrupt. I think audiences are more aware than ever before that there is no reality in reality tv. It is just everyday people turning themselves up to 11 for the camera's sake. Mindless escapist entertainment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 "It's been a business doing pleasure with you, please leave the money on the dresser" Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atheisticmystic Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 I think audiences are more aware than ever before that there is no reality in reality tv......Mindless escapist entertainment. Hmmm...Except that it engages some of the basest parts of our psyche; if mindless and escapist equals an entrained, existential sleep state, we are in total agreement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Miramontes Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 The only job I ever turned down was "Zombie Strippers", but only because I didn't want it on the top of my IMDb. In hindsight, I should have done it. That was a stupid reason to not do a movie. Could have become a huge cult hit. Next time you turn down one of those gigs can you please pass it my way. I'd do it based on the title alone. haha. I'm sure it was a fun set to work on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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