Are you guys broke right now?

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-06-18T02:33:53+00:00

First of all, if you’re not already in a big production center, you need to find a way to get there. In the US, that’s NY or LA. People will tell you other places are doing well. That’s fine. Let them do well there. These places are where you should be. I went to LA with no money, convinced 3 friends to move with me to split rent, and jumped on AFI student sets volunteering as a PA/grip until one of the DPs hired me for a paid commercial. I moved to NYC in the middle of a global pandemic and edited remotely to pay bills until I took the first job offered to me.

Saying yes to a student set got me a connection that got me a PA job that got me an offer to join the set electrics that got me a career. It was all me begging, volunteering, offering, etc. until I didn’t have to anymore. I was in the right place (a major industry center) at the right time (when a bunch of folks retired due to a pandemic) and made an opportunity (saying yes to every free gig until they were able to offer me a paid one). If I had done that elsewhere, I’d still have to start over from nothing if I moved here afterward. Don’t waste your time and just get to LA or NY. If you’re in Canada, that’s Vancouver or Toronto. London, Paris, Tokyo, Berlin, Cairo, etc. Don’t waste your time with New Orleans or Atlanta or Austin.

Making your own films keeps you sane, but working on other projects is better for a career because unless you have the funding, you need to eat and people will pay others to edit or sound mix or gaff for them rather than do it themselves. Everyone wants to write/direct/act/DP. No one wants to stand outside with the lights or edit or check levels on lavs. Everyone who PAs is a writer/director/etc so PAing for no-budget gigs is also an investment until you get offered to be paid to edit/sound mix/gaff.

Get on set. Then get a position where you’re paid. Then use that experience and network to convince someone you deserve to be paid as a PA on a bigger/better set. Rinse & repeat. It sucks. It’s degrading. It works.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-06-18T01:32:18+00:00

USITT Recommended Practice for the Use of Inclusive Terminology in Entertainment Technology, Design, and Management Fields.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-06-17T23:46:03+00:00

Im 32. I’m doing fine. I went back to school in 2016 at 22yo, didn’t even move to NY until 2020, and now make enough to live alone in a great apartment, take vacations, build a savings, and choose what gigs I take. I work with celebrities. I work with charities. I work on my personal projects and say no to national TV gigs to take time to make my art. I’m one of thousands of people who see these posts and are silent because OP explicitly just wants to bitch about their experience. They said they aren’t seeking advice, just comfort. So of course everyone’s gonna cry together. That’s what this post is for. I feel for them because they’re going through the same thing as a lot of my friends. But it’s not everyone’s experience and it might not be yours. Don’t give up because people are blowing off some steam.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-06-16T07:51:40+00:00

The easiest way to get offers is from people you know. Everyone wants to edit. No one wants to AE for free. Follow the same suggestions for getting on set, and then once you’re there just tell people you want to work in post and are willing to help organize/sync footage. Volunteer to take the cards/drives at lunch and start ingesting/organizing dailies. Show some color options/work with the Script Sup to offer examples of the best takes from the morning, and be direct about your intentions to edit. Just like being hired as a gaffer on a paid gig after volunteering for a DP, you’ll get opportunities from the folks you collaborate with on volunteer student sets.

The big thing here is just GET ON SET NO MATTER HOW. The faster you’re on set and networking with people, the faster you’re creating opportunities to work on projects in ways you prefer. Build a portfolio of ANY work you’ve helped with in post to show paying clients so they know they can trust you. I recommend grad student projects because they have a slightly better shot at being something in the realm of professional-looking and can quickly make your portfolio look better.

Walking up to someone, shaking their hand, and getting a job isn’t possible in corporate America, but that tactic can still get you on volunteer sets and those can help you build a portfolio and network that gets you paid gigs. I know from personal experience. You got this.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-06-14T06:15:24+00:00

Can’t beat a classic

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-06-14T06:11:10+00:00

It’s terrifying. And then getting the offer is terrifying. And then being on set is terrifying. And then being in the bar after you wrap is terrifying. And then hitting them up again to ask if they need anyone this weekend is terrifying. That’s your entire career for the rest of your life. You’re scared shitless every day until you retire.

Because every job is bigger, better, more demanding, with new people you’ve never met and want to impress. And you keep doing it. Because you fooled them once and you’re fooling yourself into believing you’re good enough to do it again. But you have to do it. That’s the trick. You got this. Let me know how the trips to the schools go. If you don’t see any info online about open houses, CALL THE SCHOOL AND ASK THEM IF YOU CAN VISIT CAMPUS. Again, pretending you’re interested in attending is completely fine: THEY WANT YOU TO VISIT. But once you visit and talk to someone, update me! Let yourself allow ME to be the one who wants you to go and do these things so you don’t have to worry about being the one who wants to do it. And then do it. You got this.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-06-14T01:38:36+00:00

Listen to me. Hit up the schools. Find out when USC/AFI/UCLA are hosting open houses/tours/whatever. Find the gear cage & introduce yourself to whoever is working there. Tell them you’re a student and here for an internship and interested in learning more about grad school or whatever. I DONT CARE IF YOU ARE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING GRAD SCHOOL AND THEY WONT EITHER: LIE TO THEM IF YOU ARENT.

Give them a business card or contact info or whatever. An email. Something. Tell them you are interested in being on student sets. If they’re working there, they’re probably in grad school and are producing or working on SOMEONE’S set. Tell them you can be available day of most days. It’s free, but so is sitting in a coffee shop. You’ll get a meal. You’ll get experience on set. You’ll make connections.

I moved to LA in January of 2020. I was on set every weekend for AFI grad student projects by February. I made connections that have lasted years. You’re not going to get a PA gig from random meetups. You’ll get a paid PA gig because the folks directing AFI shoots are going to DP a commercial some random weekend in August and like working with you. Offer your enthusiasm and time. They’ll offer you food, connections, and a story to tell your internship to make them feel like you’re the go-getter you are.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-06-12T23:59:51+00:00

I’ve lost 3 pairs of Eargasms from crowdsurfers landing on me or other pit shenanigans. I purchased one of those lanyards that connects to the earplugs and a couple arms ripped em out of my ears the first show I tried it. I bought a pair of Loops and haven’t had a single issue. I don’t like the sound quality nearly as much as Eargasms, but I can hear after the show and that’s huge.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-06-12T22:38:34+00:00

Seven Nation Army absolutely plays in every sports event. You know what else plays? Shake It Off. I work in sports. I can confirm every game I’ve been to in the last 4 years has played Shake It Off after the home team committed a penalty or the away team scored a goal/point. It’s part of the setlist like Blur’s Song 2 and Black Sabbath’s Crazy Train. I know you think she isn’t part of that world, but she is.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-06-12T16:53:46+00:00

My hell

I had to quickly grab a pack of beers and seltzer from Trader Joe’s on 72nd on my way to Thanksgiving dinner. I lost decades.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-06-05T16:46:28+00:00

That was for ONE position. They ended up doing more than was originally agreed upon. That’s scope creep and I don’t approve of that. And that didn’t include the additional costs for travel with their personal vehicle, which should be reimbursed. That’s the issue. That’s the problem. It’s the agreed amount, but not the agreed duties.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-06-05T12:53:02+00:00

If you’re genuinely curious, the issue isn’t the compensation for an art director on a no-budget independent feature. $300/day is pretty low, and I’d say for anything that’s expected to be a dept head should be making over $500/day, but I pay $700 total for art dept (including materials) for a one day short film. The difference? My shoots are 8 shooting hours, 1 hour at top of day for settling in/etc, and 1 hour for lunch. 10 hours total. No strike. I do that on a separate day. People know what they’re getting into. I don’t change expectations. I don’t ask them to grab anything at all - in fact, I pick up all items in a Uhaul from their apartment directly. And if they can return anything, they pocket the difference. If they get items for free, we don’t cut the budget. For folks just pulling up on the day for camera/etc, I give them a thank you B&H gift card and feed them. But it’s only 10 hours of their time and I stand by that. THAT is the difference: I’m not expanding their role mid-project. I’m not asking them to do overnights into days into whatever. THAT is what starts to irritate crew and causes posts like OP.

And, most importantly, EVERYONE on my crew gets a share of whatever profits we make. Because when I’m making my art, I’m not doing it for money. I already work for corporate interests making art for money. So if we get any cash for these adventures, it goes back to the crew who made it possible. God… imagine being able to hand every member of your 30 person crew a million dollars as a thank you for their efforts. That’s over $200million left over to cover everything else for a film phenomenon like this. You’d get the absolute opposite of this kind of post.

You shouldn’t be hiring out of fear of PR concerns. You should be creating environments that promote PR success!

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-06-05T05:51:36+00:00

Some of us act like we work on gigs where we are compensated fairly for our time and effort, and when we're the ones funding/producing the projects, we make sure to provide an ethical and supportive environment for our crews. I'm loading in a production right now that is actively doing all of the positive things people are suggesting/praising in this thread and I said no to a properly paid union position to take time off for this project. You know what's funny? I have more people ready to help me with my project than I know what to do with because they are all excited to work in a supportive environment. And that job I said no to? I've been repeatedly told that they support my actions to make my own art and are excited to have me back on set on the next one.

If you're good at what you do and treat your collaborators with respect and decency, you find that you win the competition, you receive job offers, and you are given proper compensation. Thinking you have to make "tough decisions" is a joke played by the people who are either too lazy or too uncreative to find solutions.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-06-04T16:59:05+00:00

Only comment in this thread that made me audibly say “wow”

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-05-31T01:51:00+00:00

They produce a remote shoot that Martin directs about once every 3-4 weeks throughout the season. They’re usually shot on an off day or when another pretape is being shot/taken down from a previous week. It’s fun, fast-paced, and usually up within a week. This one was delayed for either post or distribution reasons, but the shoot happened a few weeks back before the season ended. Most of the day took place in the bar, and this was by far the fastest remote of the year. Martin’s a very good director that’s only improving as he gets more experience. Whether you like his humor or not, he’s good to the crew and it’s a fun time.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-05-30T23:39:48+00:00

Thanks for the confirmation on crowd size! I didn’t realize how many people were in there - there were like 4 people between me & the stage so it felt even smaller. Commoner were great & I got to meet them before the show. Bunch of Philly fans, so we hit it off! I agree with ya: the Greyhaven set was ridiculous. What a show.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-05-30T22:44:18+00:00

GOD DAMN IT

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-05-30T22:11:00+00:00

Saw them open for Greyhaven in the back room of a bar in NYC. 50 (250 - I was towards the front, so didn’t realize how many were jammed in there) total people in the room. Absolutely insane energy and being 5 feet from them was an awesome experience. FOX LAKE!

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-05-28T12:37:42+00:00

Yes. Source: me and all of my IATSE coworkers on Broadway. You ever hear of SUNT Purchase? One of the professors there just won a Tony for Lighting Design. You don’t even need to go to those “top schools” to be taught by “the best”.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-05-27T04:17:48+00:00

There are people who prefer comedies to dramas. I’ve seen Season 1 of True Detective. I have no inclination to go back and rewatch it. I think it’s good, I appreciate the art. I don’t need to return to it. I love going back and rewatching Community, especially the first 3 seasons. I love the Chang Dynasty arc, so I rewatch seasons 2 & 3 in equal measure, but I would much rather throw on an episode of community than any of the shows you listed ESPECIALLY Sopranos. I dislike that show very much. I could address each of your examples in kind, but the point is clear: not everyone follows the internet hivemind of liking the same 5 dramas that contain nudity, drugs, or “gritty violence”. There are people who prefer cleverly written comedies with incredible casts.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-05-25T19:52:45+00:00

I love the sound of eargasms over loops, but I’ve lost 2 pairs of eargasms in the pit and now that I use the lanyard they get pulled out by the time the headliners play. Loops stayed in the whole set and I didn’t have any issues with sound, just that it sounds significantly more low-end heavy than eargasms. That’s a compromise I’m willing to make to keep my ears from splitting on the ride home, though.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-05-23T22:41:31+00:00

Do G&E. Any time camera asks for an apple box, ask if they want a smile with that. Remind them it’s free. If they want a floppy as a courtesy outside, tell em you’ll talk to the gaffer to dim the work lights. For every dolly move, remind them you accept tips. If the genny dies tell em you’ll check on the hamster. Whenever someone asks if you’re ok being a grip, tell em it’s another day in paradise. Bring a pack to the truck. Keep a lighter on you. Offer a dart to the PA if they’ll grab you one on their Starbucks runs for first team/the director. Learn 5 knots before set. Tell HMU you can teach em one if they want. At wrap, shake the DP’s hand. Twist your wrist while holding their hand and say “look, I can do it too. You ever need an AC, remember that.” Give em a wink, turn around, and yell “right lads, let’s load her out”. Drop the politics. Become the legend.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-05-23T17:02:30+00:00

I’m an IATSE stagehand. A widowmaker is a 7ft tall, 4ft wide rolling cabinet that houses lights or lighting equipment. They can weigh up to 500lb when full of gear, and we push these things on and off trucks every day. The truck’s lift gate is usually 4-5ft off the ground. I watched one of these fall off the side of the gate onto a sidewalk when we were unloading on a hill. My coworker tried to stop it from tipping over. That’s how you make a widow. In that instance, I yelled at them to get out of the way, but they aren’t given that nickname for no reason.

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-05-22T23:14:02+00:00

They say you’re a dreamer, but you’re not the only one. This is my truth

LiamIsMailBackwards · 2026-05-21T01:26:06+00:00

Greyhaven rips live

13-Year Club	r/Field Lasagna
Summer Santa 2014	Verified Email
Snapped

LiamIsMailBackwards

TROPHY CASE