Behind the Scenes w/ David Brown - Climbing the production ladder.
From Set PA to Flipping Houses: An Unexpected Hollywood Article
Ever wonder what it's really like to climb the Hollywood production ladder? It's not always glitz and glamour. Sometimes, it's about buying a one-way ticket, working back-to-back horror flicks, and even flipping houses during a writer's strike. Get ready for an inside look at the unpredictable path to making it in the film industry and the importance of being ready to pivot.
Louisiana Beginnings: A Filmmaking Crash Course
Landing the First Gig
Picture this: a one-way ticket to Shreveport, Louisiana. That was the start. The excitement was real, but so was the uncertainty. Then came the first production meeting. This was it.
Dimension Extreme: Four Horror Films Back-to-Back
The first job was a series of horror movies for Dimension Extreme. Think Pulse 2 and Pulse 3, then Feast 2 and Feast 3. All sequels to earlier horror movies. For four to five months, it was all about these films. Living in apartments near the studio, work became life.
The Value of On-Set Experience
Anyone who's been on a film set will tell you: on-set experience trumps film school. Seriously. A four-week production can teach you more than four years in a classroom. Being thrown into production headfirst meant learning fast. Sound stages, green screens, stunts, explosions – it was a full-on, immersive experience.
Immersion in the Production Environment
Days were filled with production meetings and script breakdowns. There were sides to make and talent to escort. Working with names you'd always looked up to? Surreal.
Mansfield Stages in Shreveport
The location was Mansfield Stages, a converted AT&T warehouse in Shreveport, Louisiana. Back then, Shreveport was the production city in Louisiana, before Baton Rouge and New Orleans took over.
Networking and Landing More Jobs
The facility buzzed with activity. Line producers and UPMs (Unit Production Managers) landed, setting up shop. They’d introduce themselves, check crew lists, and scout local talent. That's when the hustle began. Walking resumes over to production offices, making introductions. The result? Getting hired on more and more shows.
Building a Resume: From Dimension to TV Series
Expanding the Portfolio
The four Dimension films led to other opportunities. There was a TV series for Logo, shot like a feature film. Then came the movie Wonderful World with Matthew Broderick, followed by Soul Men with Bernie Mack and Samuel L. Jackson.
Rapid Career Growth
Within a year of moving to LA, the resume was stacking up. Six movies, a TV series, plus commercials. Things were moving fast.
The Inevitable Setback: The Writer's Strike of '08
Then came the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike. If you want to understand more, read this Wikipedia article. Work dried up. The freelance life of the film industry is always gig to gig. That’s why networking is crucial. It's all about who respects you and will give you a call when a job opens up.
Climbing the Production Ladder: From Set PA to Accounting Clerk
Upgrading Roles
Before the strike, there was a promotion from set PA to office PA. As a set PA, the mechanics of set operations became second nature.
Understanding the Production Office
Working in the production office meant answering phones, ordering lunch, and copying scripts. It was about seeing how the office actually worked. Interacting with accounting, art coordinators, and other departments offered a broader view.
Self-Learning and Observation
Wrap books and production files became bedtime reading. The goal? To understand the production budget inside and out. It was all about learning by watching and asking questions.
Moving into Accounting
Then came the chance to be an accounting clerk on Soul Men. This meant processing time cards, payroll, and AP invoices. Even making the first cash voucher. These tasks are essential to keep the film's money flowing.
Deep Dive into Film Finance
Working with budgets, cash flow, cost reports, and hot costs offered a deep dive into film finance. Attending hot cost meetings with producers and financiers provided invaluable insight. (Stay tuned for a future video about accounting software and payroll providers!)
Entrepreneurial Pivot: Flipping Houses During the Strike
The Goal: Becoming a Producer
The long-term goal? To become a producer. But with the writer's strike, income was needed.
Venturing into Real Estate
The solution? Flipping houses with a roommate (and ex). The first house was in Valley Village, California, purchased in 2007 or 2008. The purchase price? $535,000, with $70,000 for renovations.
Background in Construction
Growing up on construction sites with a painting contractor father provided a solid foundation. Familiarity with manual labor and home improvement was a definite advantage. Even repainting apartments became a personal project.
Inspired by HGTV
Binge-watching home renovation shows like Flip This House sparked an idea: "We can do that!"
The Initial Success and the Impending Crisis
The house was renovated in record time. Offers came in, but they were turned down.
The Market Crash of 2008
Then came the housing crisis of 2008. For context, watch The Big Short. The LA market tanked, and Countrywide Mortgages went bankrupt.
Becoming Accidental Homeowners
Unable to sell, the house became home. Dating and living together in the renovated space was a new chapter.
Balancing Gigs and Homeownership
While one traveled for work, the other kept hustling for production gigs.
Embracing Every Opportunity: From Craft Services to Catering
Taking on Diverse Roles
Resumes were sent out for various positions, leading to unexpected offers. Set PA turned into art PA.
Becoming a Caterer
Then came the offer to cater a short film for 30 people, despite not being a professional cook. The answer? Why not?
Gaining a Holistic Understanding
Taking on different production jobs provided insight into how each department works and what's needed to run it efficiently.
The Value of Experience for Leadership
Experience in various departments made for a better UPM and line producer. Understanding the needs of each department and the reasoning behind budget requests became second nature.
To Be Continued...
This is just the beginning. The journey continues to 2025. Want to hear more? Subscribe for the next chapter! Check out the YouTube channel behind this article with more behind-the-scenes stories.