The Story:
A jerk in my 2nd year classes never told me he was going to Prince Rupert for filming until next Wednesday, and I only found out on Thursday... He was needed for a 4-person music video assignment shoot this Saturday.
I was in a rush to find a replacement, but ALL the first year students are busy and I can't get a hold of 2nd year students. I didn't even try on this community fearing that I'd be rude to bring it up the night before...
I have dramatically failed. I only have 3/4 actors confirmed for tomorrow and I know absolutely nobody willing to be free all day tomorrow. I am a failure.
Gotta take them lemons and make lemonade
Well really, you should have asked here. There are some actors and people with free time, and some might be willing to help out.
Also, why is this your failure? I assume that said 4th person knew they were needed, and chose to dump your project in favor of the Prince George filming. It has screwed the three of you, but it's not your fault. They did the bullshit. The best way to handle it is to try and get a fourth, or attempt to do the video with only three. It might be difficult to rewrite, but you gotta work with what you got.
You should also mention this to the professor of the class ASAP, especially if it is a longer project. That way they have a heads up about the situation. Also, when you are handing in the project, make sure to also email the professor and tell them (again) that person X was not present for that filming day and to please factor that into their marks. If they are at all decent, they will grade accordingly, and it will affect Person X's grade badly, and help improve the grade for the three of you that did the work.
I ran into a similar situation on a term-long two person project. My person X did 20% of the work, and disappeared from contact for the last two weeks of classes that term. I made sure to note that they did 20% of the work, and I did 80%, and I got a very good grade out of it.
Problem is, the actor has to dedicate an entire day to filming. These were my buddies in the 2nd year of the program who were willing to put up with a day of filming.
Anyways, I had to fill in, but the assignment says on it "You may not star in the video." I had no choice, but if indeed I get a zero for this, I truly would have failed.
Everyone I know here are all "sorta friends", not true friends yet. I bugged out of calling 2 people I sorta knew in this community cause I know they won't spend a whole day filming with someone they only sorta know...
I'm sure if you explained the situation you've been placed in there wouldn't be any problem.
You're a camera man I presume. If you can act and get the good camera angles, without someone actually taking over your lens work, then kudos to you.
Well, got the word back, and the instructors are going to dock my mark by 50% if I hand it in with me in it. I have truly failed.
I'll guess I'll have to re-shoot the entire assignment. I already failed an earlier News Story assignment due to lack of equipment, so I cannot afford to fail this.
The only thing that "fails" is your attitude. Seriously, go ARGUE with your instructors. This is not high school, they are being paid to teach you, not give you the run around. You are fully entitled to argue with them. If you do not like the result the instructor gives you, take it to the dead or department head and argue with them.
You had extenuating circumstances that should result in the person who skipped out being docked the marks. Make this clear to the instructor, get him to take the fall for his actions, don't just sit there and take it.
And stop saying you have "failed", you haven't. You got shat on by your classmate, so go make him pay. The only thing you "fail" at is having a good attitude and having the balls to step up for yourself. So stop saying that and go chew off a professor's ear. Get the other people in video to come to, if need be, and go argue as a group.
The reshoot is scheduled for Sunday. Is anyone here free on Sunday? You have to be at the Southern Parking lot in Central Park in Burnaby by 9AM.
I'd like to get responses on who's available by Saturday at noon, since the 4th actor bailed again.
Edit: We got our 4th actor... hopefully.