MDK - Sorry to hear about sad state of affairs in the cinema industry. What's the impact to your bennies? What about pension? I'll be wishing you the best!

Opportunity is knocking, although it may not feel like it at the moment. I wouldn't be were I am now if a certain door didn't slam on my butt 15 years ago. Remember, all they've taken is your job. The experience, the knowledge, the confidence, the initiative, the contacts - you're taking all that with you.

Take as much time as your financial situation allows to think about all the paths you can now take. That slam of the door behind you is your starting gun - run with it.

BTW, I don't know much about the biz. What does the DP do while someone else is operating the camera? Don't the DP duties require his/her full time attention? In my mind it's like one person trying to be navigator and driver at the same time, which may be ok if you are driving the freeway but it's insane if you are in a WRC race.

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Wake up every day that would be a start.

yadda,yadda,yadda on unions, some are good and perform a usefull duty, some are worse than robber barons. What is your union doing for you? how did they explain why your job was eliminated? Severance package? opportunity to transfer into a related job with training and maintain seniority?

or did they just sacrifice you?

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Mark _______________________________
2001 X5 4.4i topaz blue/sand Sport, complete Dinan S2 , hitch, V1, tint, BSW Stage 1, Alpine INA-W910BT
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Life is not fair!
You can't protect people from their own stupidity!
Laughter makes life worth living

...What does the DP do while the operator performs the shot? Some are total perfectionists...they watch a video monitor that shows the frame in real time...Some make mental notes on how to improve the shot for the next take.....Some don't care much at all--they bury their noses in a laptop or blackberry....I work with one who walks off the set to get fresh air and have a toke..er..smoke.....--He totally trusts me to keep his best interests in mind, and knows that If I F**k up the shot this time, I do what is necessary to fix the shot so it's good the next take. The status of my benefits is up in the air. I've worked enough hours over the years to be vested at a middle level-If I can get another good series (3-7 year series/episodic TV...) I can retire at 68 with a full ride:Top pension, full lifetime health benefits (ultra-important for me, especially..)...Both things I'd really like when I'm an altacocker..(sp.?)....My union doesn't have to give me an explanation why my classification was eliminated...I Know why...because the producers need more money for themselves. Jeez, I cost 'em $1500.00 on a good (16hr) day....How is it that that amount can be the straw that breaks the camel's back? Give me a break. The real sad realization came last week when it was revealed just how many of the other voting unions sided with the Cinematographers Guild--ONE--the Prop Local. Every other local (16 other crafts) voted to ratify the contract because the numbers that were offered were good for everybody else--about a million + workers--There's only about 3800 operators nationwide--apathy and complacency win. My choice now is to rerate up or down--Let's see, I was an assistant for 8 years about a decade ago.........gee, ya don't think the equipments changed at all do ya??Rerating back down to assistant isn't a thought--I don't love the business that much--rerating up to DP is a thought, but then I'd be this little fish who's just learned to swim vs. sharks that were born swimming...an adjustment to the cliche'. I'm not sure I'm up for the fight of little fish in big pond, especially considering I've been a good size fish in a little pond for some time....5Xwen....I think I'll do just that.....Thanks all, for the shoulder....

Somewhere in LA a young talent has just finished writing the next Reservoir Dogs or Crash and he badly needs help shooting a trailer. When you find that person, the next chapter of your career begins. One thing leads to another. In fact, the right person could pitch a treatment of what has happened to you in the last week...what about volunteering to work on a documentary about the Asian slave trade? Google "International Justice Mission" and send them your reel.

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...I'm too old to work in this field gratis...That I did for many a short film, in my youth.....the promises of payback are often eclipsed by the intricacies of reality...It just does not happen much...Only one deferrred/free film in my career has paid off: Hollywood Shuffle... ....and that's because the Director had a rare conscience....