Crew Profiles: Molly Worre

Local 490 has some of the best crew in MN on our roster. They have worked on features, short films and commercials. They are on the top shelf in the MN film industry. In this series, Crew Profiles, we are highlighting union members on our roster. Next up is Local 490 member Molly Worre. She is a Script Supervisor in our Local and also gigs as an Assistant Director and Producer.

Photo provided by Morry Worre and Film North

1) Tell us about you and what you do in Film and TV?

My passion is storytelling. My continued work and growth as a filmmaker has expanded into a career across film, television and commercial production as a producer, assistant director, production manager, script supervisor, and director.

Working across departments has sharpened my abilities as a director and producer and keeps me practiced in both the logical and creative side of filmmaking.

2) How long have you been working in Film and TV? What got you interested in our industry?

I’ve been working in film and television for more than 20 years, but I’ve been writing stories and making movies since I was a little kid.

I think the moment it went from dreaming to doing was when my high school counselor told me that becoming a filmmaker was just a fantasy, wasn’t realistic, and that I should think of something else. It was clear then which one of us chose the wrong career. 

3) Tell us some of the films, projects and actors you are proud to have been part of?

I’ve been fortunate to work on so many different kinds of projects over the years. As a producer, I’m proud of pulling off some of the more challenging creative visions under incredibly tight timelines. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ “Bring the Nice” campaign was a great example of that - Bring the Nice! I also had the opportunity to produce a Disney commercial with some of my OG Minnesota crew-mates, who are now based in LA. A great reunion at the "Happiest Place on Earth".

As an assistant director, I’m proud to have worked on campaigns for brands like Nike Nike Heir Jordan  and TJ Maxx, which both required building intricate schedules around celebrity talent time constraints, with crack crews to pull off elaborate shots in five minute windows.

One of the commercial projects I’m most proud to have production-managed was for Meta, working with renowned director/DP Lance Acord . I also production-managed for  a leg of the Adidas’ national “Superstar” campaign. Two of the best looking spots I've worked on in any capacity. Adidas Superstar Instagram "You Got This"

As far as script supervising, a union project that shot an episode here was IFC’s Documentary Now. But overall, what I’m most proud of isn’t one particular movie or actor. It’s the honor of having worked on so many films with the Minnesota film community. There are too many projects, people and memories to choose from, but I am very proud of this talented community. 

4) Who else is calling you for this work?

While a lot of people in the film community know me as a script supervisor, the most frequent calls I get these days are to produce films, commercials and photo shoots. Calls to produce feature films require many considerations to sign on, so I continue to take calls to 1st AD, Script Supervise, and PM. 

I continue to enjoy script supervising because, in many ways, it feels closest to my directing roots. It gives me the opportunity to be immersed in the creative side of the filmmaking process—performance, coverage, story and the edit. In the meantime, It frees up time for me to read scripts, work with writers, and continue development to Produce or Direct my own films. 

Photo Provided by Molly Worre and Twin Cities film fest

5) What do you feel is important for the future for script supervisors and crew in our industry? Do you have any advice to someone starting out in the industry?

My biggest piece of advice for anyone interested in script supervision is to be practiced in editing before working. Understanding editing is vital to the job. Script supervision is so much more than watching continuity and taking notes. You’re watching to ensure the scene will cut together—coverage, performance, screen direction, eye lines, matching action, pacing—and whether the editor has what they need to tell the story. DP's and directors will rely on you as the expert to answer questions pertaining to these aspects, and you need to be confident and ready for that part of the job. 

I also think those of us who have been working in the industry for a long time have the chance to help build the crew base in Minnesota. Over the years, I’ve trained and mentored several people in script supervision. I  taught a script supervising workshop at Minneapolis College Film program for 5 years and I’ve been involved in PA training / education development as well. 

For Minnesota to continue attracting larger productions, we need a deep, experienced crew base that can support them. That means creating opportunities for new people to get on set, learn the craft and move up, while making sure the knowledge of experienced crew gets passed along. 

6) Do you have any hopes for the MN Film Incentive? Is your business growing because of it?

I have big hopes for the Minnesota film incentive. The midterms are only months away and the momentum is picking up both with legislative efforts as well as substantially increased film production this season compared to the past  many years. I serve on the board of the Minnesota Film Alliance, so this is something I care about not only as a working filmmaker and crew member, but as someone invested in the long-term growth of our production community.

Explore Minnesota handles the administration of the incentive, while the non profit Minnesota Film Alliance serves as the industry's independent voice. The MFA does what state agencies can not : We advocate, and lobby for policy changes that bring work to Minnesota, and reasons for them to keep coming back.  

Highly competitive MN tax incentives will be directly related to MFA membership numbers. Industry professionals, students, businesses, sponsors - we need your help for the push! You can register for the membership drive on October 1st here Membership Drive  OR you can join today  Join the Alliance  

7) How long have you been a member of Local 490?

I’ve been a proud member of IATSE Local 490 for 11 years and have served on the executive board for over 8 years. I’m grateful for the opportunity to advocate for our members, and for safe and fair working conditions. I am proud to work alongside the talented crew who make up our local. We need our union roster to grow in order to ensure the bigger union shoots will come to Minnesota. This town is filled with skilled and experienced crew and I'm excited and hopeful for more of you to join. You can apply now right here...Join 490

Local 490 is proud to have members like Molly Worre on our union roster. All of our union members are the best in their stagecraft. Please support our film industry by hiring members like Molly Worre and shooting your next production on a union contract. In doing so, you are getting the best crew in Minnesota, your project will be safe, well run, your crew will be professional. You will be paying the crew good wages, supplying workers comp, unemployment insurance and even retirement benefits. This supports our union brothers and sisters before, during and after your project. Contact our business agent at this email, businessagent@iatse490.net, to find out more about shooting union.

If you would like to be featured in Crew Profiles, pls contact The Social Media Committee, or email him at socialmedia@iatse490.net .