Has this ever happened to you?

[Star Video]

I was on a corporate shoot this Monday, and for the first time in a while, I left my phone in my car, because the week before, I lost a client due to the fact that I had my phone with me and was using it during down time during the shoot...

So, during lunch, when we're moving to another location, I check my phone, it's a message from the production coordinator for a regular client whom I shoot Digibeta for, and it's a main source of work for that camera. It was a "Can I put you on hold for next Monday and Wednesday?" Message on my cell phone. I checked and the call was made 45 minutes before. And this was Monday, so I figured she'd wait at least half a day since the shoot was an entire week later. Well guess what, I call back and she says that she's already found somebody. Well, if she was gonna call somebody else 20 minutes later, why the hell would she leave me a damn message? I was pissed because (A) That was the only potential shoot that I could have had for that next week (already Friday, and i've still got nuthin' for next week) and, (B) That client would have saved several hundred dollars on gear rental from me, because I always give them a discount since I work for them so regularly.

This girl is young, and before this job, she knew nothing about production, so I don't blame her completely, but I did have a nice long talk with the EP.

Anybody else have this kind of frustration? It's aggrivating to see my Digibeta collecting dust when It could have been working for two days.

[Sean-1966]

It happened to me once. I called back 45 minutes later and they got someone else. I guess that's the nature on the beast.

[Run&Gun]

If you were using it during down time, I don't know what their problem was, unless it (audibly) rang during the shoot, in which case, I would be mad, too. Everyone in this business knows that we live and die by our cell phones, but you don't let it interfere with the most important shoot, the one you are currently on. I know a photog who got on the outs with a co. because he was constantly on his cell during their shoots.

Texting is a wonderful thing, during sit-downs, it's not unusual for me to text with another photog about an upcoming/potential shoot or even my audio guy across the room...

[2000lux]

It sounds to me like the first client you mentioned who got anoyed by you using the phone on your down time is the real problem here.

I always keep my phone with me but generally shut it off or set it for vibrate (depending on the situation) while I'm working. In that situation if I knew the client was twitchy about being on the phone on their time, I'd shut it off and then check the messages durring lunch or bathroom breaks.

You definitely want to make the client and shoot du jour your top priority, but when we get those calls we usually have to respond fast and there's little hope of that if your phone is in your car. As was said before, most producers know we live and die by our cell phones and don't mind us following up on leads if it doesn't interfere with the work at hand.

[Nino]

Usually the same guy that gives you “the look” when you pick up the phone during a short brake is the same who wants you to get back to him in 20 minutes.
Text messaging is good but doesn’t work to regular phones.

Sometime I get annoyed too when on a very short brake my sound-tech immediately picks up the phone and starts talking, then the producer starts talking on the phone, then the talent, it’s just chaos. When I want to call somebody back I excuse myself that I have to use the restroom and walk out of the room. Also I don’t want anybody to hear my conversation and I don’t like to be whispering or others who whisper on the phone, or talking to somebody who’s whispering at the other end, okay enough you get the message.

[Stoney]

Nino, I am with you on the phone issue. I swear, the sound techs I have worked with are on the phone at every little break. Pretty soon, everyone is falling like dominoes because, "Well, so and so was on the phone so I knew we would be shooting for a few minutes." Although I write about it, I don't get pissed on a shoot because it ain't worth it. Now, if that phone went off during the shoot... there is a case of beer.

[Baltimore Shooter]

I agree that the client shouldn't have been pissed that you were on the phone during a break. Sometimes I'm on the cell at every little break but only when I have to be.

On the subject of the other client booking someone else in the 45 min since they called, I've been on that side of the fence too. There have been times, recently in fact, where I'm calling everybody under the sun to find someone who is available for a shoot. Everyone tells me they're booked, so then I get to the point where I call everyone I can and leave a message if I can't talk to them right then. If I book someone in the meantime, that's just the way it works out, it's business. I have an opening and I need to fill it w/ a competent qualified person ASAP.

Hey, it happens. It happens to all of us. It happens to me, sometimes when I can't carry the phone w/ me like when I'm jogging or something like that. Just the nature of this business. Nothing to get flustered over.

Hope that helps. Now go have a beer.

Warren

[2000lux]

The job goes to the first person who says "Yes," not the person called first.

They called you first because they like you, your work, and the fact that you save them money on the camera rental. They wanted to book some one right away and they couldn't reach you, so they went with the next guy. It happens. That's one of the reasons we all cary cell phones, so we can be reached right away. Some time you'll be the next guy.

Be flattered that they called you first! :)

[freedom]

Yea, but they had a week to find someone. I've done Warren's dance when time is short but a week is plenty of time to let your first choice respond in a timely manner.
At the least, 6 hours should be considered when time permits.

The key comment was that the scheduler was new. "This girl is young, and before this job, she knew nothing about production".
That's the whole deal right there, rookie nerves and a lack of appreciation for an established relationship. I've had that same thing happen to me. Schedulers usually move up the ladder fairly quickly so you have to stay on top of who's handling the books.

[Icarus112277]

Thats par for the course here. The early bird gets the worm. And the more often you say yes first the more you move up the list of people to be called. Crewers here do not like to wait. If they get voicemail they are moving on down the list- the first person who says yes gets it. I lost a gig Friday morning trying to re-arrange another jobs schedule to doule dip. I made the arrangement but half an hour had passed and they had found someone else. It would have been a new client too.

i always have me cell on me- for a shooter vibrate is a great thing. And I am always calling and checking messages when I don't have service- which is a lot of the time since I work in studios mostly. As soon as I have any downtime I make calls. I absolutely do not interfere with the job at hand and am professional about it, but I hate losing jobs that way. And no one ever gives me a problem about it. Being quick and discreet helps. If the caller gives you the dates in the message check your planner first (I keep mine in my back pocket) then call.

[Cameradude]

Lots of variables come into play. She could have had someone breathing down her neck asking, "you got me a crew yet." It is also easier to put three people on hold via voicemail then release them once someone says yes.

It is the nature of the business.

As for taking calls while shooting, I try not to do it. Yes, I probably lose work because of it, but I like for the client I am working for to feel that I am there for them. I have seen too many shooters trying to set-up the next gig while they are working and it can really piss off a stressed out producer.

Funny story:

I had a sound guy, and Run&Gun knows him, working with me on a magazine show one day. The producer was ready to roll with the interview and asked where the soundman was. I found him outside on the phone and said "the producer is ready to roll". He looked up and said, "I will be there in a minute..."

I scrolled though 1099's I have sent out and his name has not been on the list for several years.

Cell phones have made otherwise nice people come across as rude and inconsiderate.

[A Step Above Productions]

First off we all have to accept that this happens – and it happens to all of us, and we have no control of that.

The ones we have to be careful about are the missed calls that are our fault.

Quick story…

Last month, the beginning of January I missed a shoot and it was completely my. I had left my cell phone upstairs in my home office and went down stairs to watch a little TV. The phone rings, I miss the call and don’t get the voice mail until the next morning. The call I missed was from one of my clients, a local station I work with from time to time. They are in West Palm Beach, they got a call from the Miami affiliate asking if they had anyone who could race over to the airport and get a sound bite with Donald Trump. His plan was landing in West Palm with in the hour, and Trump would only talk if there was a person waiting for him. The Miami station was asked by the network to do this, so this was a network gig. As you probably figured out by now I missed the shoot. No one got it and the network missed out on the interview. So as of then I take my cell phone with be no matter what or where I am. Even if I am sitting watching TV at home it is in my pocket.

[Todio]

Yup, my wife complains that, forced to choose, I'd sleep with my cellphone rather than her (not true, my cellphone's not nearly so cuddly and besides, the charger cord only reaches to the nightstand...) :D

Anyway, my issue is that cell service near my house is dodgy. Sometimes 4 bars, sometimes none and no rhyme or reason to it (I think I'm smack between 2 towers) Two houses either way and it's fine! I've called the company but they're unsympathetic. There's no number portability here in Canada (yet) and about a million clients know my number so I'm kinda stuck with this company for now. It's a minor irritant though as, fortunately, I just call-forward my cell to my home number when I'm home and all calls ring on the home phone. I have a separate voice mailbox at home for the business too.

[Mike]

Todio,

With the cell phone being such a major part of my business, I have had to employ the use of devices to enable or enhance cellular connectivity if needed. There are devices that act as an active repeater that you can buy and install in your home, or devices that allow you to dock your phone in one place, plug in an external antenna and in turn, have your cell phone connect to any standard (corded or cordless) phone that you have...this way you can leave your phone in one place, have it charged and also be assured you have service, but still be able to use a standard phone instrument to make and receive your calls.

--Mike

[Canonman]

Cell phones have made otherwise nice people come across as rude and inconsiderate.

Man oh man, Cameradude. You hit the nail on the head with that one. And it pervades all aspects of our daily living.

cm

[Todio]

Todio,

With the cell phone being such a major part of my business, I have had to employ the use of devices to enable or enhance cellular connectivity if needed. There are devices that act as an active repeater that you can buy and install in your home, or devices that allow you to dock your phone in one place, plug in an external antenna and in turn, have your cell phone connect to any standard (corded or cordless) phone that you have...this way you can leave your phone in one place, have it charged and also be assured you have service, but still be able to use a standard phone instrument to make and receive your calls.

--Mike

Thanks Mike, but call-forwarding does exactly the same thing... I just hit a few buttons and all calls are automatically directed to my home phone regardless of cell service level. Then I can leave the cell phone on charge. I have a little sticky on the dash of my car reminding me to turn call forwarding on or off when I get home or leave. No need to purchase expensive equipment, it's built right into the phone if you know how to access it. Most cell phone plans I've heard of have this feature bundled with voicemail (in fact, that's how voicemail actually works, unanswered calls are forwarded to a computer that answers it, plays your message and records the message).

K.I.S.S.

:D

[Dan R.]

I signed up for VOIP (voice over IP, or internet-based phone service) at my home/office, which has a function to simultaneously ring a second line of any number of your choice. I entered my cell phone as the simultaneous ring number. So, now I give out my home/office number as my primary business contact number. No matter where I am, it rings both lines at the same time. If I'm home, I pick up the home line and don't use my cell minutes. If I'm on the road, I can pick up the calls on the cell that were dialed to my home. I never miss calls now unless I'm asleep :)

The second benefit is that VOIP is $20/month for unlimited long distance (I'm using Packet 8). I've had it for 2 months now with no problems at all. Voice quality is the same. I've saved a chunk of money (at least $50/month) by ditching Verizon and using a lot fewer minutes on my business cell phone.