by Art Adams: Never Say No

Chris Hurd · January 27th, 2015, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art Adams

A famous DP once told me, “Never say no.” I suspect this is the best possible way to have a glorious career, but I don’t think it’s always appropriate. Here’s what I do…

Read the full article: Never Say No And Learn to Live with It - DV Info Net

Andrew Smith · January 29th, 2015, 02:31 PM

Yup. Wise words in there.

Andrew

Les Wilson · January 30th, 2015, 07:11 AM

I really enjoyed this article. Wish I'd read it 30 years ago.

Nick Hiltgen · January 30th, 2015, 07:39 AM

I work as a DIT and one of my favorite DP's made a similar argument that has stuck with me. He said that he missed the mystery of film. In film you actually had to trust the DP and listen to their advice based on years of experience, but in the digital world where producers can take 4k videos with their cell phones and make really cool shots with instagram sudenly everyone is an expert on how to shoot a movie. I do think its great that we live in a world that has made the basic tools of filmmaking available to everyone but i think somewhere along the lines the respect of knowledge has gotten lost and unfortunately i think it could be leading to the white-washing of the craft.

(That being said it goes both ways i've done work with some DP's who are convinced that they know erroneously exactly how some of the digital aspects work and despite my advice and warnings they proceed with their plans, and when those pieces fall apart somehow its still my fault. I try not to work with those guys a second time. But i have been lucky in that those guys were few and far between)

Shaun Roemich · January 30th, 2015, 05:58 PM

I think I'll share that with every single one of my clients...

Yasmeen Kashef · April 25th, 2016, 10:59 AM

It has to be frustrating to go down a path that you know will lead to difficulty, especially when you can see how it can be avoided. I do see similar experiences across a variety of industries. For me personally, my professional activities become more about how do I be effective in what I do, instead of pursuing perfection.

Dylan Couper · May 27th, 2016, 02:34 PM

Client to indie producer: "Can you do X+Y+Z?"
Indie producer to client: "Oh yes, absolutely I can do X+Y+Z."
Indie producer to rental house: "I need to rent something that does X+Y+Z. And I need you to teach me how to do it. Also I don't have any budget."
Rental house: "BWAHAHAAAA!"

Counterpoint to the story... Don't write a check your ass can't cash.

January 29th, 2015, 02:31 PM	#2
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,064	Re: Never Say No — And Learn to Live with It Yup. Wise words in there. Andrew

January 30th, 2015, 07:11 AM	#3
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: Never Say No — And Learn to Live with It I really enjoyed this article. Wish I'd read it 30 years ago.

January 30th, 2015, 07:39 AM	#4
Nick Hiltgen Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 1,427	Re: Never Say No — And Learn to Live with It I work as a DIT and one of my favorite DP's made a similar argument that has stuck with me. He said that he missed the mystery of film. In film you actually had to trust the DP and listen to their advice based on years of experience, but in the digital world where producers can take 4k videos with their cell phones and make really cool shots with instagram sudenly everyone is an expert on how to shoot a movie. I do think its great that we live in a world that has made the basic tools of filmmaking available to everyone but i think somewhere along the lines the respect of knowledge has gotten lost and unfortunately i think it could be leading to the white-washing of the craft. (That being said it goes both ways i've done work with some DP's who are convinced that they know erroneously exactly how some of the digital aspects work and despite my advice and warnings they proceed with their plans, and when those pieces fall apart somehow its still my fault. I try not to work with those guys a second time. But i have been lucky in that those guys were few and far between) __________________ I have a dream that one day canon will release a 35mm ef to xl adapter and I'll have iris control and a 35mm dof of all my ef lenses, and it will be awesome...

January 30th, 2015, 05:58 PM	#5
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Re: Never Say No — And Learn to Live with It I think I'll share that with every single one of my clients... __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

April 25th, 2016, 10:59 AM	#6
Yasmeen Kashef Sponsor: eSecureSend Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 16	Re: Never Say No — And Learn to Live with It It has to be frustrating to go down a path that you know will lead to difficulty, especially when you can see how it can be avoided. I do see similar experiences across a variety of industries. For me personally, my professional activities become more about how do I be effective in what I do, instead of pursuing perfection.

May 27th, 2016, 02:34 PM	#7
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Re: Never Say No — And Learn to Live with It Client to indie producer: "Can you do X+Y+Z?" Indie producer to client: "Oh yes, absolutely I can do X+Y+Z." Indie producer to rental house: "I need to rent something that does X+Y+Z. And I need you to teach me how to do it. Also I don't have any budget." Rental house: "BWAHAHAAAA!" Counterpoint to the story... Don't write a check your ass can't cash. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com