In The Trenches

People outside the industry often ask me, “So, what does a producer do?” Simply put, we gather the troops and wage a war against the enemy!

Wait, what? Who exactly is the “enemy?” Well, the enemy can be a thousand different things! It can be a deadline, a tight budget, or even dreaded location restrictions. However, you can attack the conflict head-on by using your training and experience as a weapon to come up with creative solutions.

A good producer, much like a general, plans, strategizes and attacks with precision. And, as the commanding officer, you also must inspire and lead, and make those around you believe in the greater good you are fighting for. You must create an environment where your comrades-in-arms will go that extra mile, and continue to walk on when their feet hurt, and fight on when second meal is on the way! When your back is up against the wall, and you are facing the fading light, you can be confident in your ADs to keep charging forward!

In the trenches, deep bonds of friendship are made with crew and client alike. Running into an old crewmember on set can bring a smile to your face that will welcome a warm embrace of friendship. Together, we fight to have clients stand confidently alongside us, knowing that we have their interests protected, and together, we will lay down our lives (mostly by taking up so much of them) to ensure a decisive victory.

We fight for the firm handshake of appreciation, the chance to create something inspiring, and to raise a glass at the wrap party to cheer a battle won. And most importantly, we fight for a client’s return!

… At this point, I put out the sparklers, turn off the wind machine, cut the playback of Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries, and ask them, “And what you do for a living?”

Written by

Ross Grogan - Executive Producer, The Cavalry Productions

I Understand VFX and Tech

I Support My Crews

One of my biggest learning moments that showed me just who I was as a producer and as a man, came during the last economic downturn. At the time, I was west coast head of production for a company that was seeing some of the worst of it.  But rather than scale back and trim over head, they tried to hire away the problem, bringing on more sales reps and VP's of development.  The severe issue was that they didn't have the capital in place to pay for this, and instead my crews began going unpaid. The companies management was working jobs to pay off crew three jobs ago.  These were my cotacts, my friends, that I had brought into the company and given my word that they were going to get paid.  A producers worth is that of the people he or she surrounds herself with.  My value was them, and more than anything, this was simply wrong.  I began to inquire up the chain of command, putting pressure where I could, and hearing false promises in return.  The issue became worse every day, until one morning that I got a very interesting phone call.  One of the VP's was on the other end of the line offering me a raise, and a substantial one at that.  It didn't make sense.   I was told that they were going to close the LA office and I could work from home.  They even said they would pay for some of my personal rent if I could move editing equipment and run production from my home.  Then the other shoe dropped, I asked them "But what about my crews?"  And I was told that they were going to file Chapter 11 and no one was going to get paid. I was told to think it over and the call ended.  I was in shock, they had money to spend on me but were willing to build off of the unpaid work of others to continue.  It wasn't right and it wasn't fair.  I was at a crossroad, I went home that day and discussed it with several people.  Realities sunk in, like the fact that I had a ton of friends out there unable to find work.  But that wasn't enough, this wasn't right!  I couldn't be a part of this, I was going to have to walk away from a six figure salary because my value was in my crew not a company willing to do such acts.  I sat down and with resolve I wrote a letter, I then sent it on to my lawyer who made it better.  The next morning I got to my office, and sat there with my hand over the send button for several minutes.  Then I took that leap of faith and hit send.  The letter was my Jerry Maguire moment.  It said I would accept there offer only if my crews were paid within the next 5 business days, otherwise this was my two weeks notice.  It was a futile request to make a point. And It was less that 5 seconds before my phone rang and a shaken VP on the other line literally asking me why I put that to paper.  I asked him if he was willing to pay my crew and he said he was not so I gave my two weeks notice then and there.  I then took that same letter and sent it out to every one of my crew members that had suffered from going unpaid.  They needed to know that I had just quit a six figure job because my value was in them!

That moment showed me a big part of who I am. I will fight for what is right, wether it is to protect an individual from a company or a company from an individual.  I follow my core on how to treat each other and respect the work that we do together.

Across the States & Around The World

From Budapest, Hungary to Miami, FL.  From Las Vegas to New York City.  From Toronto to Monument Valley Utah. From Denver to Local Los Angeles. I have crisscrossed this nation and the world in my production experience.  Whether it was producing a TV pilot shot in Budapest, Hungary or producing a live show in Vegas. My experience is vast and allows me to confidently tackle any challenge no matter where the location.