Difficult Personalities At The Mix

[Tom Smith]

Does anyone, especially the most experieced of you, have any advice in dealing with "difficult" personalities?

By difficult, I don't mean someone who is professionally demanding, has a high level of expectation, is assertive, etc. I mean someone who is basically being rude, abusive, and insulting.

To give a little background, I was engaged to do the mix on a short film at the last moment (the day before the mix was supposed to happen) when the original mixer couldn't make it for some reason. I agreed to do it, sight unseen (perhaps my first mistake).

The difficult personality, the "producer" (an industry professional I was told), arrived at the mix late, which was just as well since there were some "issues" with the Pro Tools session provided by the Sound Editor. Within ten minutes of being introduced to this person, he made his first insulting remark to me about some aspect of my physical appearance, though of course he was "just kidding".

Long story short, this kind of thing continued throughout the mix. He was insulting, rude, condescending, and knew everything about everything. Okay, so the world, and especially the entertainment industry is full of people like this, no surprise there. But I felt especially put off by this guy since I a) came on at the very last moment, b) was trying to be especially accomodating in helping them meet a very short deadling, and c) was working for no pay.

So, my question is this: do any of you have any "techniques" for dealing with this kind of thing? Anything other than the "bite your lip and count to ten" method? I feel like no one could blame me if I had told this guy to "f--- off and mix his own sh--", but though I'm new to this industry, I'm not new to behaving professionally, and getting the job done. Walking out really isn't my style but I won't be anyones punching bag either...

Thanks in advance,

Tom

[Phil Jeffers]

I think it depends on the "chain of command" if you like... if they can pull rank on you (i.e. fire you) then it's lip biting time - no matter what. If it's some upstart SOB, then bannish them from your stage! Have a nice day!

[sleadley]

In my mind there is no excuse for rudeness and poor insulting behavior. Regardless of whether you are doing a job for free or at $400.00 per hour, I don't stand for people with no manners. Tell them in the most polite way that you don't care for their attitude, I would do this out of earshot of other people so that you don't embarrass them. Then go about your work with the utmost professionalism. i will not tolerate Bullying, rudeness, any sort of vilification based on race or sexual persuasion. This person sounds hideous, good luck.
best regards
Simon L.

[bigbadhenchman]

I would take a short break, and go talk to the facility manager, and tell them you no longer want to work the session. Period.
I've only had to do this once. And the studio manager had a talk with the client, and reigned them in.

I certainly won't put up with that kind of [bleep]. Especially for free.

[philper]

How bad do you want to do this job? Is it possible that this person is testing you? (Several
famous Hollywood directors do this sort of thing routinely w/ new people--I guess they feel it establishes their authority and allows them to see how well this person works under stress. Or something.) Do you know anyone else that has worked for this guy that you could call and
ask about him? Word about such people travels very far and very fast in this business. Think back carefully--did you say or do something inadvertently that might have set this guy off? Are you taking
heat for someone else that is out of reach (the guy's wife, lawyer, banker, the mixer who quit the day before the mix etc.), ie guilt by association? Is this guy really very insecure but smart enough
to realize that if he keeps attacking you it will keep you off balance and he'll feel in control?
How good is his film? Is all this actually worth it?

good luck

Philip Perkins CAS

[FlorianE]

Thomas,

As your problem person is a producer, it might well boil down to money language: less you're paid, less he will respect you.
Never work without pay. If inevitable, charge only a symbolic fee, but after negotiation only.

Cheers
Florian

[Phil Jeffers]

Like Francis Ford Coppola once remarked: "...the film business is one of the last remaining dictatorial outposts." We've all heard stories of little fascists out there who enjoy a fair dose of bullying & the like.

[Frank Kruse]

"THE TV BUSINESS IS A CRUEL AND SHALLOW MONEY TRENCH, A LONG PLASTIC HALLWAY WHERE THIEVES AND PIMPS RUN FREE, AND GOOD MEN DIE LIKE DOGS.
THEN THERE´S ALSO THE NEGATIVE SIDE"; Hunter S. Thompson

[Phil Jeffers]

"THE TV BUSINESS IS A CRUEL AND SHALLOW MONEY TRENCH, A LONG PLASTIC HALLWAY WHERE THIEVES AND PIMPS RUN FREE, AND GOOD MEN DIE LIKE DOGS.
THEN THERE´S ALSO THE NEGATIVE SIDE"; Hunter S. Thompson

+ RIP +

[Mubeau]

hi!

...puhhh....
You did someone a favour, you put energy in something and if this kind of "*%%§(/"" behaves that way, this really hurts! I feel with you!

Frank´s post is right in a way and there is no general solution, anyway.
I do a lot of TV, but I only had that once in years...I could only "solve" this issue, using
this same type of """humour""" on him, without this [bleep] "insulting or aggressive" kind of thing, being "superior", we finished and he left smoking a cigar and see: he came again for another project, being very normal... still had his strange humour....Perhaps it was just a bad day he had...problems with his wife.... what do I know????

But:
NEVER work for free if it´s a job in the industry!!! It´s not only because of the money, but you´ll ruin your (mental) health, as you see. It´s better not doing an unpaid "commercial" job and meeting your friends anyway!

all the best!
Mubeau