quote:

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Originally posted by Etjomc

How do I get 200+ scripts printed and published for my crew with minimum cost? Is it better to buy the printing press myself or are there companies that specialize in this? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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There are a few companies in the Los Angeles area that "specialize" in script duplication and they'll add the brads for you. Just about any Kinkos or other copying company can handle this for relatively low cost per page.

But, having said that, your entire crew likely doesn't really need a script. All of your Department Heads need one for their breakdowns during pre-production and of course your on-screen Talent. But not everyone who will be working for you.

After that, you'll need to print one-line schedules for everyone every time the schedule changes. And typically, a good supply of "sides" on a daily basis as those are used by several members of the crew and the cast. And, every night, call sheets for everyone. Those types of everyday things are printed by someone in the production office or in the AD trailer using a rented copy machine.

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

You could print out copies for your production crew at the nearest copyshot and send PDFs to the cast so they can read up before being onset. Then when the day arrives have some extra copies ready, but you'll probably find most actors printed out their sides already.

RJSchwarz

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Originally posted by rjschwarz

You could print out copies for your production crew at the nearest copyshot and send PDFs to the cast so they can read up before being onset. Then when the day arrives have some extra copies ready, but you'll probably find most actors printed out their sides already.

RJSchwarz

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???? Actors printing their own sides? What sets have you been on where ANYONE does that? ???????????????????????????

So, the production crew rates getting printed copies but you're suggesting that the cast (the people who have to actually deliver the lines on camera) should just get files on their computers (assuming they have a computer) so they can print out their own copies of the entire script and sides every day? Really?

That's a really interesting concept. One that I have yet to see in the twenty years I've put into this industry. I'm interested to hear about the productions that have used this strategy.

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

Perhaps the ones not in the 'industry' Brian. The ones that don't have 'sets' or an AD trailer or an AD...

The ones that a lot of the people on the forums are involved in for the love of film making or because they are just starting out and who find RJ's advice really helpful.

** If its worth making, it's worth making properly. damn it!**

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Originally posted by nikisun

Perhaps the ones not in the 'industry' Brian. The ones that don't have 'sets' or an AD trailer or an AD...

The ones that a lot of the people on the forums are involved in for the love of film making or because they are just starting out and who find RJ's advice really helpful.

** If its worth making, it's worth making properly. damn it!**

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I've been on countless low and no-budget projects as well and have never seen an instance where the Actors were expected to print out their own scripts and daily sides.

No, not everyone has the benefits of "professional" support, but it also isn't helpful to suggest a course of action that could alienate a cast and crew, particularly on a project that likely isn't offering much in terms of pay. Volunteering for a project for the love of the craft is one thing. Being expected to print out scripts is another. I'm just saying that I've never seen it done nor heard such a suggestion so I'm curious when and where this has happened and what the results were. 🙂

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

I had actors printing up their own sides. I sent them PDFs ahead of time to give them as much lead time as possible. I came prepared to the table read with a bunch of screenplays and found some of the actors had already printed up their own. And yes mine was a low to no budget production so I wasn't about to complain about it.

On a really low budget set you often get a sense of cooperation and chipping in.

RJSchwarz

Who would have thought one simple question would stir up so many responses!

Everyone who reads and posts here knows a simple questions stirs up responses. You should stick around and join in.

Where are you from, Etjomc? Care to give us some info on your movie? Needing 200 plus copies seems like you've got a pretty big production going.

quote:

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Originally posted by rjschwarz

I had actors printing up their own sides. I sent them PDFs ahead of time to give them as much lead time as possible. I came prepared to the table read with a bunch of screenplays and found some of the actors had already printed up their own. And yes mine was a low to no budget production so I wasn't about to complain about it.

On a really low budget set you often get a sense of cooperation and chipping in.

RJSchwarz

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Ok, well, I suppose it worked out. 🙂

But I would caution any NEW people to not go into this process with the EXPECTATION that everyone is going to do that. RJ was surprised that it had happened and given the specifics of the situation, it isn't that "surprising" if the cast weren't told ahead of time that printed scripts would be available at the table read. I'm doing a little speculation here, but if an Actor got a computer file ahead of time and wanted to rehearse (and highlight his/her parts), then it is only natural that they would want to print out at least those pages.

I think it is the "expectation" that they would do this which throws up red flags. Low/No budget Directors are already asking people to volunteer a great deal of time to a project that, usually, only the Director will see accolades (and potentially money) from, either by virtue of that movie or from what that movie will do to help their overall career. So, expecting everyone to "pitch in" to get it made above and beyond what their job description entails could result in less than desired results.

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

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Originally posted by certified instigator

Everyone who reads and posts here knows a simple questions stirs up responses. You should stick around and join in.

Where are you from, Etjomc? Care to give us some info on your movie? Needing 200 plus copies seems like you've got a pretty big production going.

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I am from the state of Indiana and am currently working on my third "official" movie. The working title is "Hijacked" and is going to be fun for me and all my crew to work on. (If a movie isn't going to be fun then why do it?)

All my previous films have been amateur to say the least. So I decided to join this forum in order to learn all I can. I have been through some filming classes, seminars, and such but those little questions always arise that a forum is best fit to answer.
I have never had to print so many things before! That is why I was wondering where most people get it done. I also plan to help answer any questions I can.

As my quality, experience, capital, and knowledge increases so will my audience. But until I reach that stage I will take all the help I can get while giving anything that might be of help to others.

And to answer your question about the size of my production: I will have about 35-40 actors who each need a script (plus editors, directors, etc.) and then I have written a short book about the jobs and techniques on a movie crew which I plan to print up for all my inexperienced workers which is about 50+ people.

You have a HUGE cast and crew. 40 actors and 50 plus crew. Yikes!

You don't say where in Indiana you are, but I'll bet there are plenty
of places that copy documents. Places like Kinko's. They will copy
the script on punched paper and many places will even put in the
brads. There are dozens of printers here in Los Angeles who will
print script at 2.5 cents per page. Have you checked Kinko's? Is there
an independent printer near you?

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)