Veteran producers, can you share some shoot stories from the 90s and early 2000s? What were the budgets and timelines like? Were the old days really that great?

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Yes they were. Budgets for a 2-day shoot plus all the rest $575,000. 2 Mil shoot in the US could be done for 900k in South Africa. Glory days for sure. Timeline for live action from director search to air was 6-8 weeks

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When we shot film the demand was more realistic. Since digital we are expected to deliver 10 times the shots in half the time. Also the bottom line rules the game. Not the quality or aesthetic these days. Fast cheap and you get what you get And move on to the next fast cheap and just ok.
Also no loyalty at all these days. Unlike back then. Also everyone under 25 now is a director and a cinematographer and a producer and the crew doing the work is all over 40

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If their work is solid, who cares?

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I had a creative ask for a new cellphone bc he dropped his in the toilet. I told him I donā€™t run that kind of show and that if he needs a new phone, I will drive him to the Apple Store. Integrity is EVERYTHING!

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A friend owned a big production house in LA. Old-school agency producers would provide shopping lists for what they expected in their hotel rooms when they got to town. Stuff like electronics and hand bags. Not as bad as the story I heard about the client telling the AE to send him a hooker tough.

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Freelance 1 thatā€™s so funny! Nothing like a 19 year old director and a 55 year old DOP walking him through the shots / blocking...

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Logic states itā€™s a job that requires experience. Not just an opinion

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Finding fabulous places to shoot and stay. A deserted island scene - fly to the bahamas and get to location via boat. A spot with a giraffe? Fly to africa and stay in a villa/suite with outdoor jacuzzi on the beach. Canā€™t afford SAG re-use - shoot in Beunos Aires. While shooting in Vancouver - take side trip with team in sea plane over the glaciers. Need to freshen up the music tracks for tourism? Source local talent and music studio/villas for long weekends in the caribbean. Need ā€œsafariā€ footage - fly to kenya, gonon safari, hang out with Masai tribe. Make it look like the runner carrying the olympic torch crossed the atlantic - spend a week shooting at the baths in Virgin Gorda. Budgets ranged from $300 a spot to 1.5 mill a spot. My last project? An insta story take-over for 10k

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The glory days šŸ˜©

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This is great. Would love to hear more stories

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The real old glory days was riding to the set in a limo full of blow. A bit before my time

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Producer 1. But now itā€™s a 19 year old DP and 19 year old producer sorrounded by an experienced crew

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Iā€™ve heard stories of the agency producer in NY who built his house and his pool with kickbacks from production companies. A little here and a lot there for years until he had a whole spread.

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Ha! "Age is just a number" and all, a good reel is a good reel. There's a reason these young buggers end up on set. Its just hilarious watching them buck on client or old man gaffer when they really do have to put a foot down.

I was running all production for Lexus. Average national spots were $650k. Some were $750k Yes timelines were typically 6-8 weeks. I never received or requested a gift of any sort. And am sure no one in my department did either. The great part was that there always seemed time and money to try something creative that was not planned for. If you knew how to ask for it.

I once had a 9 spot job - 6 I had boards for but had to bid all 9. We shot in Vancouver, San Fran, New Orleans, the Miami Keys, and then, of course, LA I had $500k PER spot

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