Hmm, this looks like a pretty good argument for sticking to creating for web and audio fiction series. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Hollywood Producer Explains The ‘Inhumane’ 17-Hour Work Day Schedules On Film And TV Sets
by Aly Weisman
Hollywood producer Gavin Polone is no stranger to a film set.
He’s worked on movies such as “Panic Room” and “Zombieland” and served as executive producer of HBO’s hit comedy, “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
But for as much time as he has spent on film and television sets, Polone has always wondered how grueling, 17-hour-day production schedules affect below-the-line workers—the camera crew, makeup artists, craft services people, etc. — who aren’t getting the same massive paychecks as the actors, writers, directors, and producers.
While Polone admits “producers and actors are highly compensated for their work,”he says“it has always been difficult for me to understand how so many in this business put up with such a punishing routine,” as he explained to Vulturein a piece he wrote about “The Unglamorous, Punishing Hours of Working on a Hollywood Set.”
To better understand his colleagues, “I decided to interview some of the people around me about their feelings on the hours they work and how this regimen affects their lives.”
So, Polone started going up to his “below-the-line” coworkers on the set of the ABC Family TV show he is currently producing, “Jane By Design.”
Here is a summary of what they had to say about the “inhumane” work conditions:
Kirsten Robinson, Script Supervisor —“…which means she helps the director keep track of continuity and makes notes for the editor on how he should put together the pieces of the scenes.”Kirsten considered our show as a relief compared to a recent show she worked on where she “worked 16 to 18 hours every day and the worst day was twenty hours.” Robinson says the worst part was “At the lunch break, it’s like you have another regular person’s day ahead of you.”Polone says most work 17-hour days when shooting the current ABC Family show….