Day 10. Producer of Concealed Identity, Tina Adams, Answers Some Commonly Asked Questions About Filmmaking, Acting and Her Experience in The Industry.
Our fans reached out to us with some questions they had and we answered them. Tina Adams is an award-winning filmmaker and producer. Her latest documentary Concealed Identity is about an unbelievable story of survival, identity, and mystery.
This unbelievable life story teaches us about the journey of one of the most renowned geneticists and immunologists, professor Dr. Emil Skamene. He devoted his entire life to uncovering the secrets of genes, all the while being unaware of his own Identity for many decades.
Watch the trailer here:
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What happens when a movie shoot is not filmed on time?
It's not good, it's a financial and logistical disaster. During the pre-production shoot, a schedule is established but establishes the availability of the actors, the crew, the food, the location, and the equipment, so imagine if all that is jeopardized by the simple fact that the scene is not done. It's something that every production sees as the ultimate failure, hoping that it will never happen.
Yes, during the production budget, there is always at least ten percent allocated to such situations. It's not miscellaneous spending but error and omission. It's the last thing any filmmaker or producer would like to see on their film set.
How are movie stars paid?
Interesting question. A film budget has two parts, the above-line, and the under-line sections of the budget. The above line expenses are listed costs for copyright, producer, and stars, because these three costs are unpredictable, they do not have a set standard. For example, a movie can be based on a book, the rights of which are expensive, like in the case of Harry Potter. Or on the other hand, a film is based on the acting of a major star that is also considerably expensive.
The underline expenses are predictable expenses of the movie, here comes the director, cameraman, post-production, and equipment. These are easy to find out because of collective agreements with unions.
What scene or dialogue from a movie or show has always stuck with you?
There is that saying from Gone With The Wind that after all tomorrow is another day.
These movies I watched while still living in Prague as a 20-year-old, but they never made it past the iron curtain during that time.
Every culture has its own lines and moments. Like the famous one in Taxi Driver by Robert De Niro: “are you talking to me?”
Growing up in Prague, the 1939 Czech romantic comedy: Christian (Kristian) left a lasting impression on me.
The story was about a boring travel agent who would completely transform himself into this mysterious and exotic Mr. Kristian that in the eyes of his dazzled admirers almost seemed just out of this world. He embodied the exotic vacation destinations he was selling and so once a month when he would go out to the bar and hypnotize these beautiful and elegant women. In a twist of heartbreaking fate, since he was married, he would end the night early telling these women: close your eyes, I’m leaving, as he would fade away into the night.
Today if you go to the Czech Republic and tell anyone “close your eyes I have to go, I am leaving,” they would know exactly what you are referring to.
So, this is a phenomenon in every culture, there will always be a scene or line from a pop culture movie that sticks with everyone.
So, are you talking to me?
What has surprised you the most on a film set?
What surprised me the most? It’s more like who surprised me the most?
It was Sharon Stone.
We all know her as a highly intelligent actress that can speak many languages, but I was very surprised at how attentive she was in looking around at her surroundings and background while on set. Usually, many other actors just get absorbed into their roles and forget the details around the props and surroundings.
One time Sharon and I were on set for a film we were working on together in Montreal. She was speaking with some of the French Canadian crew, when she suddenly noticed an American fire extinguisher on the set of a foreign hospital, so she quickly made note of that and told the crew about it and they removed it from the scene. That was really observant and sharp of her, especially since she knew that fire hydrants tend to be different in every country. For me I was surprised and impressed by how active she was in her role, she took great responsibility in her work.
I’m more impressed with other aspects of being on set rather than just the acting per se. I like people that are generous with their work and make a point of being great individuals.
For example, I remember when the director introduced me to Sharon, as he quickly got up from the director’s chair he fainted. I and Sharon quickly grabbed him and helped him regain his balance on the wall so he didn't fall. I can't say I’m not prone to dizzy spells after sitting either, since I spend so much time in the production and directors chair myself. But it’s moments like those that you see a true person's character come out.
And even while acting, a person's deepest and truest character still signs their every move.
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