checks out the proposed camera angles to ensure that the vehicles will be
parked out of camera range, yet remain easily accessible.
Throughout the production, Foster oversees the transportation depart-
ment, ensuring equipment and drivers are where they should be, when
they should be. "Being a driver, you're the first one on set and generally
the last one to leave. If the crew call is 7:00, that means the actors proba-
bly have to be there at 6:00 for hair and makeup. Which means the hair
and makeup people probably have to be there at 5:30 to get ready for the
actors. We have to be there prior to that to get the trailer set up. If it's hot
outside, we have to get it cool inside. If it's cold outside, we have to get
it warm inside, so that everybody is comfortable when they come in.
We make sure all the lights are working and the generators are up and
running. At the end of the day we have to take it down, move it, and get
ready for the next day."
Generally, Foster begins prepping a production three weeks in
advance of filming, and concludes between two to five weeks after
filming has wrapped. In addition to making sure that all vehicles are
returned, he may also have to oversee the repainting and/or restoration
of a picture car to its original condition.
Advice for Someone Seeking This Job
"Transportation is not just carrying a pretty actress down the street in
a blue Lincoln Town Car. You're always the first person on set and the
last person to leave. You have to be in the Teamster's union to drive on
movies, in most cases. Try to come in as a PA in the transportation
department or an intern, and see what goes on and work your way up.
I don't hire anybody who does not have a commercial driver's license.
I recommend you get a commercial driver's license and then decide what
you want to do. If you want to learn how to drive a big truck and you've
never driven one before, I recommend going to a reputable trucking
company or driving school to learn. If you want to be a generator opera-
tor, get with a vending company that specializes in production equip-
ment and learn. All generator operators have to pull cable before they
become operators. Learn from the ground floor up. I like my people, men
or women, to be able to drive everything that we have. If you're on the
set and you have some type of situation where you need to move some-
thing in a hurry, anybody can do it."
Contact rental houses and volunteer to intern so you can learn the
equipment. They will train you and when the equipment goes out, you
may be the person they send with it.
User Comments Add a comment…