While we’re running our crowdfunder to hire a Raising Films Project Manager — 52% funded, please support us if you can! — we’re also investigating what our new staff member will be researching: what are the biggest challenges and questions for parents working in film? What viable solutions are already out there? Or should we just focus on finding the money for a lifetime supply of chocolate biscuits, iPads and family therapy to get us through?
Our testimonials and interviews are fine sources of inspiration — like Helene Klodawsky documenting band Thee Silver Mt. Zion as they tour with a toddler in tow in Come Worry With Us!, which you can see in our first ever RF event, on 11 Sept 2015 in London – a babes-in-arms screening of course!
But we wanted to start hashing out pragmatic solutions to burning questions: and so, as well as the site, we’re holding Twitter chats. Our first one, which set out some basic questions about managing work-life balance, ended with cake. Our second one yesterday ended a little more dramatically…
Things not to show yr kids on set courtesy of @SSheil 9MUM AND DAD). Sweet dreams #RaisingFilms fam! pic.twitter.com/QGHWszDJRg
— Raising Films (@FFFilmmaking) August 20, 2015
(NB: this prop was not actually on set when Steven’s daughter visited, it’s just a great image from the film!)
Steven Sheil, Keri Collins and Hope Dickson Leach joined us for an action-packed hour discussing leaving your children at home while on a film shoot. Thoughts about the gender of caring and childcare, the practicalities of switching mindsets at home and on set, and why it’s all fine because children are adaptable anyway came thick and fast: catch them all on our Storify.
But here are the TOP 15 THOUGHTS from our intrepid tweeters (who are also parents and filmmakers when not on Twitter…):
1. Most Important Cannot-Be-Said-Enough Message from Experienced Feature Filmmaker
@FFFilmmaking @cymrukezza @hopedickle @mishmakyt …but just have to remember, it’s just a shoot, just 6 weeks. Your child will be fine.
— Steven Sheil (@SSheil) August 20, 2015
2. Making a Film Can Also Mean Making Amazing Family Memories Part 1
https://twitter.com/cymrukezza/status/634448444359360512
3. Making a Film Can Also Mean Making Amazing Family Memories Part 2
@hopedickle @FFFilmmaking @SSheil @cymrukezza yep we all packed up and did the job "together" best way if poss. Doing same next week!
— Alex Kalymnios (@AMKFilms) August 20, 2015
4. Writing Films With Roles for Kids Can Help Parent-Actors
@SSheil @FFFilmmaking @hopedickle @cymrukezza I had my little girl playing my little girl on set with me a couple of weeks back.
— Michelle Edwards (@michelleedw1) August 20, 2015
5. Having Kids on Set Doesn’t Mean They Have a Clue What Your Job Actually Entails
https://twitter.com/cymrukezza/status/634451943524560896
6. Someone Will Be Watching Out For Them (or Possibly Putting Them to Work?)
@KateHardie2 @FFFilmmaking hair and make up over sparks any day I reckon, when it comes to childcare 😉
— hope dickson leach (@hopedickle) August 20, 2015
7. When Kids Aren’t On Set, Supportive Partners Have a Starring Role…
@cymrukezza @FFFilmmaking @SSheil @mishmakyt My husband is taking 2 months off work to be with the boys. Which means full time single parent
— hope dickson leach (@hopedickle) August 20, 2015
8. … But So Does State Support (we can’t stress this enough)
@FFFilmmaking @hopedickle @SSheil @mishmakyt Govt support for freelance childcare support is vital – forces productions to follow suit
— Keri Collins (@collinskezza) August 20, 2015
9. Paid Childcare Can’t Answer All Parent-Filmmakers’ Concerns
#RaisingFilms My daughter has eczema which aways flares up when I'm away/busy. It's not been good since I went Cannes. They do adjust
— Paulette Caletti (@paulettecaletti) August 20, 2015
10. But That’s Parenting, Isn’t It? Filmmaker or Not, You Have to Be Cool with the Worries…
@hopedickle @SSheil @FFFilmmaking @cymrukezza yours. Part of the struggle is being cool with that and not letting guilt and worry win
— Michelle Edwards (@michelleedw1) August 20, 2015
11. Sometimes You Have to Take It from Elsa & LET IT GO
@mishmakyt @SSheil @FFFilmmaking @hopedickle @Solemani @cymrukezza a super neat house is overrated, especially for working moms and dads
— Sabana Grande (@SabanaGrandePro) August 20, 2015
12. It’s a Wrap! But What If You’re Still Wrapped Up in It…
When I i/viewed @AfiaNathaniel she mentioned the brain adjust fm shoot > home was tough… @SSheil @cymrukezza @hopedickle @mishmakyt
— Raising Films (@FFFilmmaking) August 20, 2015
13. Respect the Bubble! Your Family Will Be There Between Gigs
@cymrukezza @FFFilmmaking @AfiaNathaniel @hopedickle @mishmakyt I think you just have to write off those days when you’re still in bubble…
— Steven Sheil (@SSheil) August 20, 2015
14. Above All: The Kids are All Right — But the Industry Needs to Grow Up…
#RaisingFilms so far: kids get that filmmaking is work — now work needs to get that filmmakers have kids!
— Raising Films (@FFFilmmaking) August 20, 2015
15. And Finally: You Think You’re a Grown-Up Parent-Filmmaker – Buuuuut You’re Also Still Someone’s Kid
Next twitter chat: #RaisingFilms, lowering yr parents expectation you'll have a paid job @hopedickle @SSheil @mishmakyt @cymrukezza
— Raising Films (@FFFilmmaking) August 20, 2015