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A while back my friend Patrick Reis, who works in the film industry in New York, rang me up to ask me how to describe to someone what a Line Producer does. It got me thinking how unusual a job title this is. The role is very specific, although the tasks may not always be. It’s certainly a “movie industry” term. So, here’s how I responded to the question, “What’s a Line Producer?”
 
DEFINITION OF A LINE PRODUCER:
A Line Producer is essentially the ‘producer’ who does all the work.  I am responsible for everything non-creative; essentially the boss of the crew, much like a CEO of a film. The Line Producer is literally the top person Below-the-Line (in practice, and on a written budget). I create the budget, make it work, hire the crew, and ensure all the work in every department gets done. I oversee and delegate to the UPM, Production Coordinator, and office staff, as well as hire and work closely with the AD department to make the show run smoothly and keep things on schedule. I work hard to be sure the rest of the crew has the tools it needs to actually ‘film’ the movie, show, commercial, video, or webisode. But, most importantly, as a Line Producer, I ensure people get paid!
 

There are so many details that ultimately fall to a Line Producer. While each department, on a film set, has its own leader or boss (department head), it is still the Line Producer’s job to make sure they everyone does his or her job and does it well. A Line Producer often deals with unions like SAG (Screen Actors Guild) the DGA (Director’s Guild of America) IATSE (Union that covers most of the other on-set jobs), and 399 (Teamsters). It’s also my job to wheel and deal with vendors. Most Line Producers work hard at maintaining strong relationships with businesses who rent props, sets, equipment, trucks, cameras and more because we contstantly go back for more. Becuase the Line Producer is normally the first crew member hired I may do an initial schedule (which later becomes the AD’s job to adjust), budget, and a breakdown of elements in the script. In short, if anything at all goes wrong, that’s not creative, it’s ultimately the Line-Producer’s ass.

 
On a well-run show and in an ideal world, the Line-Producer’s heaviest work is in pre-production. When principal photography begins, I should be able to sit back and watch things fall into place, “supervise” the production, and be there to put out fires. Of course, that never happens. I always work my tail off, pick up the slack, and never sleep. Basically, when I take a Line Producing gig, I expect not to have a day off from the beginning of pre-production through the last day of wrap. Quite often, a Line Producer deals with crew complaints, unhappy or particular actors, and difficult political people who visit the set. I Line Producer definitely does some dirty work and very probably flies under the radar of recognition for a job well done. Yes, Line Producers are masochists. We are over-achiever, type-A personalities who have a knack for accounting and legal matters, but are people-people who thrive under pressure.
 
Having said all that, one might wonder who would be crazy enough to actually WANT to do this job called “Line Producer?” To be honest, sometimes I wonder myself! But, in the end, the reward is watching something amazing, creative, brilliant, and ultimately fun, be born, and grow into adulthood, while knowing I was key in making it happen. A sign of a solid line producer is someone who has knowledge in a lot of areas, but can hire a great crew to use their individual talents best. I am that person that you come to when you wonder, “Who knows someone who does that thing that I don’t know anyone that does that thing?” A Line Producer probably does. They will likely go one step beyond and make the call to the person who does ‘that thing,’ and have that ‘thing person’ calling YOU. A line producer leaves no stone unturned, no matter unresolved, no emergency waiting to happen, no belly unfed, no trash lying around, no person unpaid, and most of all has no life outside of production! But, who needs a life outside of production, after all, isn’t it “THE LIFE?” I feel blessed to do what I love and hope that I can continue to do it well!

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Kristin Eppley is an amazing young painter and musician currently residing in Santa Monica, California. Check out her website: www.kristeneppley.com to view her amazing art and learn more about her. She currently working on three new paintings for which she is commissioned.

I spent the early part of March in Austin, Texas, at the growing SXSW Film, Music and Interactive Festival. It’s a really fantastic festival and a progressive and entertaining city. More interestingly, I’d call SXSW a “teaching” festival with some unique elements. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend a trip to both SXSW and Austin!
 
This year I took advantage of the seminars/panels and it made the whole experience worthwhile. I primarily attended the distribution and marketing panels. Because of all this technology, media and the internet, the interactive folks are combining more with the film folks and it’s really an amazing collaboration. I don’t know about you, but I’m so not a techno-geek, and I’m amazed at the ideas and abilities. It’s got me thinking about new marketing ideas, and so inspiring in general. I’ll share more  
One highlight of my time there was attending “A Conversation with Billy Bob Thorton” hosted by Elvis Mitchell. As an indie minded filmmaker, how can one not respect Thorton’s true devotion to the artist filmmaker? Billy entered the room with sunglasses on, and quickly informed us it was not because he was trying to “hide” or be “too Hollywood,” but simply because he had partied a bit too hard the night before! Hmmm, Billy, I don’t know WHAT you’re talking about – who parties at a film festival…certainly not a resident film hor like me! But back to Billy…he spoke about his desire to direct again, and the fact that he’s been waiting until he’s out of contracts to be able to do things his way. Go Billy – way to attempt to keep your integrity. He discussed the process of making his early movies, particularly “Slingblade,” and how he used to have more freedom and control, even though it was harder to get the money and the deals. It really is a trade off. He also talked about the importance of doing the big blockbuster films in order to stay on the billboards to have the ability to choose the passion projects. But, most enjoyable were the anecdotes about his early days as a waiter and a naive but headstrong young writer/director in Hollywood. For more about this interview, and excerpts, read the below article…very entertaining!
 
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/SXSW-Billy-Bob-Thornton-On-Where-Movies-And-America-Went-Wrong-8174.html
 
As for movies (after all, it IS a FILM festival…) I attended the premiere of “21.” You’ve probably seen the ads on tv lately. This is the feature, 7 years in the making, based on the book “Bringing Down the House” about the MIT blackjack team. Kevin Spacey’s production company, Trigger Street, bought the rights to the book a while back and it went through many passages in Hollywood before coming to fruition.

I really enjoyed the film, and thought they did a great job interpreting the story and the book. The lead, a young actor named Jim Sturgess (was just in “Across the Universe”) – a British guy playing a Bostonian. He is a charming and talented young actor and played American well. The cast also includes Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey. If you liked the book, I recommend the film. Sure, the movie is not mind-blowing, and it is predictable, but it’s a lot of fun.

My favorite part of attending this premiere was the Q&A after. This is absolutely the reason to see films at festivals. The guy the book is based on, Jeff Ma, was there along with Ben Mezrich (the author of the book), Jim Sturgess, and the director, Robert Luketic (Legally Blonde). I read the book years back, particularly because of my involvement in the poker/vegas scene. Mezrich’s a great writer and really genuine person. A little known fact – he was in Fox’s “America’s Sexiest Bachelor” competition back in 2000 with our favorite Mr. Arizona, Reed Randoy. (If you didn’t catch it back then, the “competition” ecently re-aired on Fox Reality, by the way – so funny)! When Jeff was asked what’s the most the team “took Vegas for,” he answered 450k in one weekend – not bad for the times. If you get the chance to catch them on an interview, they were all very funny. “21″ hits theaters the end of this month. While “real” gamblers may have some criticisms, I generally enjoyed the movie. Sure, it’s not brain surgery, but we haven’t seen a good gambling movie for a long time, and I think this one hits the mark better than most that have been made in the last few years…at least since “Rounders.” Check it out and try to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Rebekah’s scorecard: 8

 
http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/21/

 
I also saw a movie called, “The Promotion” starring Seann William Scott. He plays a grocery store assistant manager in the midwest, vying for the position of Manager at a new store opening near by. Also starring is John C Reilly, a Canadian who moves to town and competes for the same job. It had a lot of comedic moments as these 2 men compete, become friends, sabotage each other, and just try to hold their own lives and families together. This film was somewhat enjoyable. Although I would guess it has less chance of a theatrical release than “21,” It was quirky and fun, with some very clever writing. The pace was a bit slow, but overall I enjoyed the film. I’m going to guess it will have mixed reviews. I generally agree with the review below.
Rebekah’s scorecard: 7
 
http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/03/11/sxsw-movie-review-the-promotion/

 
The only other film I caught was a private screening of the new Public Enemy Documentary, “Welcome to the Terrordome.” My dear friend and director, Maxie Collier, helped organize the filming at a PE reunion concert last March at SXSW, where the crew shot with 16 cameras. The film is produced by Lathan Hodges who came up with Maxie in the DC BET days. This 2007 Austin concert became the center of the documentary, around which the story of the group and its history is told. They did a great job representing the importance of PE on the evolution of RAP music and how progressive and unique they were (and are). It’s sad that most people, in the younger generation, only know Flavor Flav from VH1’s infamous “Flavor of Love,” but don’t know anything about Chuck D and the old days of Flav, and Public Enemy’s contribution to the music scene in the 80’s and 90’s. They were and are strong, political, talented, smart and entertaining and I hope this film will play more in the mainstream and to a younger crowd so they can be exposed to something so special. The film premiered at AFI festival this past fall, but is still making the rounds of the festival circuit and in various stages of a final cut down edit. Keep your eyes and ears open for this one. For another review of the film, check out the below link. Rebekah’s scorecard: 7.5
 
http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=Cannes2007&jump=review&reviewid=VE1117935472

 
Well, that will wrap up this edition of Film Hor Diaries. Stay tuned for further coverage of the panels at SXSW and my recent experience working on the Wu-Tang Clan Video, “While the Heart Gently Weeps.” Keep turning those trix and finding your own resourceful ways to make films!