John McNeil Studio

Sep 2022

I got a text from a producer from this company named Jacob Acueza. He was looking for a 2nd AC for a shoot. I told him I was available. He said great then asked me if I could help him find a 1st AC. I told him I could and proceeded to call my camera department contacts in an effort to help him fill the position. I also dropped a shift at my day job so I could do this AC job after Jacob had asked me for my email address. In my 20-plus years working in this industry, when a producer asks you for your email address it's because they're putting you on the call sheet. Later that day, after I'd been making calls to find a 1st, I get a text from Jacob telling me he'd found a 1st and was hiring him along with a 2nd, who the 1st recommended. When I called him to ask for an explanation, he told me "I never officially confirmed you". So putting in the effort to help this guy ended up costing me money because I gave a shift at my regular job.Freelancers beware. This company will cut you off at the knees if it's convenient for them. When it comes to crewing up, their motto seems to be no good deed goes unpunished.