NYU Freshman Set Safety Guide PDF

NYU Freshman on Set (how to be a solid PA) Matthew Troy Asst Arts Professor Safety Coordinator UGFTV Serve the Story, but SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT Everyone is responsible for safety on set! Safety Considerations 1. Fire Safety a. Always have 2 ways out b. Evacuate for all fire alarms...

NYU Freshman on Set (how to be a solid PA) Matthew Troy Asst Arts Professor Safety Coordinator UGFTV Serve the Story, but SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT Everyone is responsible for safety on set! Safety Considerations 1. Fire Safety a. Always have 2 ways out b. Evacuate for all fire alarms or suspected emergencies 2. Health and Hygiene a. Access to restrooms with handwashing b. Stay home if you are sick! c. Sleep! Safety Considerations 3. General Location/Environmental Safety a. Is the location structurally safe? b. Exposure to Weather/Elements c. Exposure to Wildlife Safety Considerations 4. Equipment a. Electricity b. Hot lights c. Heavy Lifting d. Complex equipment/special training e. Trip hazards Safety Considerations 5. Additional Hazards a. Heights and elevated platforms b. Proximity to water c. Stunts and special effects d. Human nature (you just don’t know what actors/bystanders/anyone might do) How do you prepare for safety? Call Sheet Is a Safety Device What To Do In The Event of An Emergency 1. Call 911 If Merited Call for emergency assistance if needed Ambulance for Medical Emergency Fire Department for fire or other hazard Police for safety/security Do NOT delay if needed 2. Seek Non-Emergent Care if Needed Walk-In Clinic for non-life threatening medical emergencies Minute Clinic Personal Doctor/Physician 3. Notify NYU Public Safety 212-998-2222 (save in phone now) Call 24/7/365 Notify regardless of where the production is This is to open a campus incident report NYU SAFETY REPORTING LINE 212-992-FILM (212-992-3456) Anonymous Reporting Line Be on Time Early is on time, on time is late, late is looking for new work CALL TIME = begin working (and for PAs, you likely have an earlier call time) Dress for Success (and not being noticed)  Line Writer Producer Prod/UPM Production Assistant Director The “workhorse” First to arrive on set, last to leave Learning while they work… YOU Assistant are their teacher Goes for this, carries that, mind reads what’s next Wears comfortable sneakers and Director Script Supervisor PA a t-shirt and a sweater and rain coat and hat and surveillance because they are prepared for everything NOT TO BE ABUSED… cherished and mentored Always Think Ahead If asked for 1, bring 2 If sent on a task, call ahead before returning Prepare for the weather… ALL weather Bring spares of items if you can (pens, cell battery chargers, etc) Prepare something before needing it (but don’t get in the way) Walk briskly, never run Train, learn, educated, practice Keep Your Receipts Take Care Of Yourself SLEEP Eat well Stay hydrated (with water) Exercise (and exercise good lifting techniques) NYU Production Days are 12 Hours ON 12 Hours OFF (of which only 2 hours are allowed for travel to/from set) When In Doubt… Ask Better to ask for PERMISSION now and not forgiveness later Take Pride In What You Do The story of the short film “Bemoana” by NYU filmmaker Maurice Singer in 2005 CHALLENGING CONTENT ADVISORY We are reviewing this film because it is valuable for our discussion about student safety on set. This film documents a student production that is rife with safety hazards and we want to be sure you all can identify them. Later in the presentation, we will be showing a 3-minute clip from the film, a sexually charged scene of two fully clothed adult actors who play a father and daughter. The narrator sets up the story as the daughter having been molested by her dad as a child. This clip is being utilized to educate you on the safety parameters around intimacy on set and the importance of having a trained Intimacy Coordinator on set. I will make another brief disclaimer just before we review the clip, so anyone who would like to opt-out of viewing can step out. This portion of the presentation will only take 5 minutes. Please return after that time. Synopsis A film that puts a twist on the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood, “Bemoana” explores that story of what happens when the Wolf isn’t the villain, but perhaps the victim. The story is told through a woman who seeks revenge on her once-abusive father while they travel north to visit her grandmother in Vermont. Shot over 11 days in Stowe, Vermont (7 hours north of NYU) Produced for a senior advanced/final film The documentary “Unspooled” is the story of this ill-fated film production Clip #1 - Production is 2 days behind due to vehicles being stuck in the snow and awaiting a tow to set What are the hazards you Identify? What behaviors/attitudes contribute to these hazards? What could be done to prevent these hazards? Clip #2 - A 3rd character arrives mid-way through the shoot for nighttime exteriors What are the hazards you Identify? What behaviors/attitudes contribute to these hazards? What could be done to prevent these hazards? The following clip is the scene referenced in our earlier content warning. Clip #3 - The director explains his visionary process and we learn of conflicting attitudes between him and the AD What are the hazards you Identify? What behaviors/attitudes contribute to these hazards? What could be done to prevent these hazards? Clip #4 - The generator truck finally arrives on set from a towing company, but weather complicates its usage What are the hazards you Identify? What behaviors/attitudes contribute to these hazards? What could be done to prevent these hazards? Clip #5 - Weather delays influence poor scheduling choices and the crew reveals the struggle of being a student contributor What are the hazards you Identify? What behaviors/attitudes contribute to these hazards? What could be done to prevent these hazards? Clip #6 - Nearing the end of the production dates, some crew stand up for what they believe is a line finally crossed What are the hazards you Identify? What behaviors/attitudes contribute to these hazards? What could be done to prevent these hazards? Clip #7 - The film’s ending calls for the complete burning down of the cabin, which happens on the very last day What are the hazards you Identify? What behaviors/attitudes contribute to these hazards? What could be done to prevent these hazards? The film “Bemoana” was never finished The director’s father unintentionally discarded all of the audio DAT tapes after wrap, and the director decided never to finish the film So what do you do if you are on a production that has minor and major complications and hazards? If it seems unsafe it probably is If it is imminently dangerous “just say no” If not imminently dangerous but potentially problematic, speak to the 1st AD If the AD isn’t listening or taking it seriously, find a mentor on set (preferably a department head in a position of some authority) Consider the Film Reporting Hotline (can leave anonymous tip but need to offer up some information) Go to an instructor you trust (after, if merited) NYU SAFETY REPORTING LINE 212-992-FILM (212-992-3456) Anonymous Reporting Line