Behind the Scenes w/ David Brown - Starting over and getting into the DGA.
From Rock Bottom to DGA: My Journey Climbing the Hollywood Ladder
Ever wonder what it takes to make it in Hollywood? It's not always glitz and glamour. Sometimes, it's about grit, hustle, and a whole lot of luck. This is the story of starting over, facing homelessness, and ultimately landing a dream job in the Director's Guild of America (DGA).
How Failure Forced a Cross-Country Leap
Life can throw curveballs. After a tough breakup, I found myself back home in Nashville.
Leaving Nashville: Being back home wasn't easy. My relationship with my father, who struggled with addiction, wasn't the best. It took a toll on my mental health. Failure wasn't an option because going back home felt like a step backward. I had to thrive.
Starting Over at Zero: The revenue from previous ventures dried up, and I was sharing a mortgage with my ex. I was back to square one financially. Sometimes life just demands you start from scratch.
The Decision to Move to New York: I'd moved to LA from Tennessee when I was 19. But after my breakup with Max, I needed a change. I knew I needed to be in a city with film production. LA and New York were my two options. I wanted a fresh start, so I chose New York. Both cities have a rich history in film.
Preparing for the Move: I sold some belongings to afford a monthly bus ticket to New York. I arrived with only $200. I had no housing or plans. But I had a strong resume and a refusal to give up. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Hustling for Survival in the Big Apple
New York City can be a tough place, especially when you're starting from nothing.
Discovering Hostels: I found hostels. They were a temporary housing solution. Hostels cost around $34 a night. You get a bunk bed in a room with six people. There are restrooms, showers, lockers, computers, and Wi-Fi. Hostels are great for travelers, and they worked for me while I got on my feet.
Day-to-Day Survival: I cleaned houses that I found on Craigslist. I did odd jobs like massages and moving gigs. I made enough to cover the hostel and food. I sent resumes to every production bulletin board and contact I could find. It was a grind, but I kept going.
Landing the First Production Job: I got hired as an office PA on a Stephen King-related film for Netflix. This job provided enough money to secure several nights at the hostel. As an office PA, my responsibilities included answering phones, running errands, and helping with paperwork. The salary was $800-$1000 a week. I was working 12-14 hours a day, 5 days a week. The work was hard, but at least they fed us. We also got MTA cards for transportation.
"Aha" Moment and Motivation: Experiencing Times Square daily was surreal. It felt like I was living in a movie. That first paycheck secured two more weeks at the hostel and food. Living in New York can be tough, but there is something magical about it.
Securing Stable Housing: After a few paychecks, I could rent a room in a shared apartment. The typical rent for a room in NYC was around $1000 a month, including utilities. Finally, I had a place to call home.
Homelessness for a few days: There were a few days where I did not have enough money for the hostel. I would walk around the city all night. I would go to Starbucks to work on my laptop to stay safe overnight. I would sleep in Brian Park. Those were some tough nights.
The Unexpected Break: Climbing the Article Ladder Faster Than Expected
Sometimes, opportunity knocks when you least expect it.
Interviewing for a Coordinator Role: I interviewed for an office PA position on a low-budget indie film. But I was overqualified and more experienced than the interviewer, Ally, the props coordinator. I was offered the props coordinator position and Ally was promoted to assistant props coordinator. Sometimes, you have to take a step back to move forward.
The DGA Opportunity: The producer decided to go DGA (Director's Guild of America) for the project at the director's request. This created the need for a UPM (Unit Production Manager). Because of my budgeting experience, the producer offered me the UPM role.
Impact of Becoming a UPM: I was elevated to a covered craft position within the DGA. My salary nearly doubled from $1000 a week to around $2000 a week. I received pension and health benefits. Later, I received membership paperwork and joined the DGA as a UPM. This was a game-changer for my career.
Lucking into the DGA: Typically, aspiring directors and UPMs have to get 400-600 set days. You have to save all your PRs, crew lists, and pay stubs. I got grandfathered in. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.
The Benefits and Challenges of DGA Membership: Being a member of the DGA has many benefits. There are council meetings, networking opportunities, and screenings at DGA theaters. There are also availability lists for job postings. You can visit the DGA website for more information. However, there are fewer available positions compared to entry-level roles since there is only one UPM per movie. The traditional resume-blasting approach became less effective.
How to Get the Job as a Unit Production Manager
Finding work as a UPM requires a different approach.
Shift in Job Search Strategy: Instead of blindly sending resumes, I focused on contacting production companies directly. This led to securing my first bigger movie as a UPM. Networking and building relationships are key in this industry.
The Budgeting Hack: Producers often need budgets before securing financing. I offered to create budgets for free in exchange for being hired as UPM if the project received funding.
Free Budgets: I emailed all Producers my resume, budget samples, and cash flow samples. In return, I asked for a job as UPM. This strategy proved to be very effective.
Landing the First Big Gig: One producer took me up on the offer. I created a budget for a show. The producer secured financing and brought me in for an interview with his partner. I landed the job and was hired as UPM.
The $5.5 Million Movie: I was hired as UPM on a $5.5 million movie on location. This was a huge step up from my previous jobs.
Financial Transformation: DGA rates significantly increased my salary to around $6000-$7000 a week on location. I went from being broke to earning substantial income. This job provided around $120,000 - $140,000. Money isn't everything, but it sure makes life easier.
Landing Subsequent Jobs: I used connections and the same budget-driven approach to secure a UPM position on a $7 million movie. I continued to receive on-location perks, such as housing and a rental car.
UPM Responsibilities: As UPM, I was responsible for creating and managing the budget, hiring staff, enforcing the budget, approving POs and payroll, and reporting costs to producers and financiers. It's a demanding job, but it's also very rewarding.
Expanding Horizons: From UPM to Producer
The journey doesn't end with one success.
Transition to UPM/Line Producer Combo: By 2017, I had progressed to a UPM/Line Producer role. This involved working closely with financiers, production counsel, and bond companies.
A Crash Course in Producing: I used the opportunity to learn all aspects of producing. I familiarized myself with finance agreements, bond agreements, and bond LOIs. I studied the operational aspects of filmmaking. Learning never stops.
Securing Health Insurance: As long as you have $37,000 a year in covered salary, you can get health insurance. I was finally able to get health insurance through my Guild.
Personal Life Improvement: The financial stability allowed me to buy a new car and rent a better apartment. My spouse and I explored options for having children. Ultimately, I married my current husband. Success in your career can lead to success in your personal life.
Conclusion
The road to success in Hollywood isn't always easy. It takes hard work, dedication, and a bit of luck. From facing homelessness to becoming a UPM and line producer, my journey has been filled with challenges and rewards. Never give up on your dreams, and always be willing to hustle. Your big break might be just around the corner.