I Was Hired To Film Fyre Festival...

One of the weirdest gigs I have been hired for...
Thanks for watching!
Instagram ▬ / jordanpulmano
Twitter ▬ / jordanpulmano

[@HollyCat504]

I think you just solved a mystery…On the Hulu doc Billy says that they really had rented villas but the reason that so many people didn’t get their villa is bc “we had a box of all the villa keys and that box went missing”. Everyone called bullshit but it sounds like there actually was keys and your coworkers had them all 😆😆😆

[@JordanPulmano]

Omg hahaha I never watched the Hulu one! Only Netflix. That sounds like a solved mystery to me 😂

[@carlosrsolrac]

I literally just thought the exact same thing! Did yall return the keys to the villas you took?! Jeepers

[@omegawii]

Lol that is so legit. Lol

[@FilosophicalPharmer]

I thought the same. Others couldn’t get in villas because the film crew had all the keys.

[@Natasha-bf6yk]

wait that's crazy 🤣

[@alainabarnes7527]

What’s wild is both documentaries on Netflix and Hulu never even mention the whole “cruise ship “ incident like I had no clue that even happened

[@tiaremaui]

A cruise ship WAS mentioned (in one of the documentaries) to supposedly house some of the concert guests. Can’t remember which one.

[@TheMattHardyFan21]

​@@tiaremaui I think it was Netflix one.

[@tobeornottobe9533]

That’s because the people did fire festival made it shitty on purpose to make it into a big scandal to make money off the documentary that’s how it works😊

[@kristelbrok998]

​@@TheMattHardyFan21 yup, i dont have Hulu, but i remember them discussing the logistics of having a bunch of drunks trying to board a cruise ship 😂

[@lisahoshowsky4251]

I’m surprised this has so little views. This is one of the most unique and engaging perspectives I’ve heard on it in quite a while, every other new video is just rehashing the well known stories and perspectives with nothing new except, “well he’s out know, I wonder that he’ll do next.” I know people have maybe, “moved on” or tried to but I still think it’s good to share your first hand experiences and remind people why he should not be given any more chances with these new ventures he’s plotting. I’m glad it mostly worked out for you and your colleagues in the end though but it doesn’t take away from the fact that for so many others it did go really sideways.

[@JordanPulmano]

I really appreciate that Lisa! I have so many bizarre stories from working in this industry. I might make it a whole series 😂 thanks for watching!

[@societiii]

Agreed

[@lisahoshowsky4251]

@@JordanPulmanoit sucks to have cruddy industry experiences but a series like that would probably be amazing! (Or at least entertaining for us watchers😅)

[@smittenmrsmitchem6966]

@@JordanPulmano Omg, you totally should! I bet so many people would be interested in that series!! I know I would for sure!😁💜

[@hagengilbert8102]

Funerals? You know how everybody loves a good Fyre festival story at a funeral.

[@thedude2920]

‘It’s a good story for a party’ lol

[@MandoMonge]

Props to the director and producer to stay back with the gear and not take the all inclusive offer for themselves

[@JordanPulmano]

Yeah I think if they knew what was about to happen they would have taken the resort option 😂 but then again if they didn’t stay, they wouldn’t have that wild adventure story to tell.

[@belle.m]

This whole debacle fascinates me. So many people were screwed by Billy, but all of you still thought it was going to happen right up to the day before. Sounds like you guys had at least a half decent experience compered to others that went. Such a crazy few days and really can’t believe Billy wants to do this again🙄 Thanks for sharing 😊

[@NYCDemonDiva]

It’s been a while and I’m still fascinated by this whole mess! Thanks for sharing the story

[@JordanPulmano]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching

[@JCLADOG]

You should have filmed the debacle on the island...it would have been award priceless!

[@JP-oe4ry]

The sheer audacity to announce a Fyre 2. Mind boggling!

[@laurenharris9832]

I think that one didn’t go well either 😞

[@johnsmith-fz5pz]

exactly right. you want to go J P I am going ;)

[@wakenow1]

Fyre fest 1 never even happened so to say fyre fest 2.0 would insinuate that the first one happened when it didnt😂😂

[@divinecommerce3912]

@@wakenow1first attempt was Fyre 0.50 🤣🔥

[@JimBoFet171]

Man got the Fyre Flu

[@JordanPulmano]

Man the Fyre Flu was no joke 😭

[@teddybearable]

Omg this was like an INTENSE survival situation, I'd love to hear the stories of the people in your team who stayed on the island if they're willing to share!

[@ColeRolland]

Such an insane story bro!

[@JordanPulmano]

Man it was a crazy time 😂😂 thanks for watching dude!!

[@britf5363]

There may have been a small amount of housing/villas secured for ticket holders BUT there was a boating event already going on. Majority of island resources were never going to be available for the festival. Doesn't take a genius to know logistically there's only so much time and so many workers to put up those crappy fema tents and cheap mattresses.

[@lyndonlabayan]

Man... This was awesome. Thanks for sharing! "ARE YOU FLOATING IN THE OCEAN SOMEWHERE?!" - My mom too, probably

[@JordanPulmano]

Hahaha the fam was definitely concerned when it hit the news 😂 thanks for watching dude!

[@FrenchMartini]

That was a crazy story! I'm glad that you, the crew, and the equipment ended up okay! It could have been so much worse...

[@JordanPulmano]

Yeah it was so nuts but such a great story to have. And luckily it ended up okay so I can tell the story hahaha

[@dariushilla]

This is exactly why I'm scared to do festivals 😅. I'm glad you made it home.

[@JordanPulmano]

Hahaha don’t let this deter you! I’ve been to some of the most incredible festivals around the world and can ensure you, it’s worth it

[@allanfifield8256]

@@JordanPulmano insure

[@aeccherr]

@@allanfifield8256ensure*

[@CameronBrooks]

Imagine if you sold 60”x80” fleece blankets of ultra wide helicopter photos of that island.. I’d totally buy one!

[@HardcastleCreatives]

Sick story. I have been waiting for this video 😂

[@JordanPulmano]

Haha thanks for watching!! It was wild for sure

[@jolo3118]

It is always nice to have a good funeral party story on hand. You know, for those funeral parties. 😂 Jk. Just came across your channel and had to drop this comment to kick the algorithm in the right direction so I get the notifications. New sub!

[@JordanPulmano]

Nothin like the classic eulogy switch up into a Fyre fest story! Gets them every time. Thanks for the sub!

[@adamsipione]

I've been in stressful situations with expensive camera gear before but nothing like this. What a wild story.

[@qntmbeef]

Ahhhh I've been waiting for this video ever since you posted about it on Instagram. NOW ITS HERE !

[@JordanPulmano]

Haha enjoy my friend!!

[@somegirl2392]

OMG I never heard this side of the story... Poor organization and lack of communication from the start should have been a major red flag for the agency that hired you, I wonder why they OKed their part in the first place, I guess Billy's project was very convincing on paper. I have heard many stories about event organizers taking advantage of event-goers, but hardly in any of them the crew was as much affected as everybody else. Even wikipedia lists "(fraudster)" in Billy's name, not entrepreneur or anything like that, so I guess we got a closure/definitive answer of what was going on.

[@MrIsomer]

Great story. I'd remotely heard of the Fyre Festival debacle, but it had long faded from my memory. But now with the Burning Man calamity happening this past weekend, I started seeing some comparisons to the Fyre Festival. I'm an old surf filmmaker, and made a couple of documentaries at Burning Man 2006 - 10. That festival is legit and amazing. So I've been watching some KZbin stuff on the Fyre Festival today, and it reads like something right out of a "Catch Me if You Can" screenplay. I'm just starting to watch your video, and can heavily relate to the job offer you had dangled in front of you. I'm just hoping that the more I watch this I don't find out you lost any $$$.

[@JordanPulmano]

Hey Stephen! I’ve never been, but Burning Man has always looked so incredible to film. I have tons of friends who have shot pieces out there. Crazy what happened there this year. Fortunately for our production crew, we were hired by an agency who was hired by Fyre. So they paid us out of pocket for the time we spent there. It wasn’t the full rate on our deal memo, but they made sure to take care of us which I always appreciated.

[@FeminizedPodcast]

Thanks for sharing this story, what a nightmare

[@MarineX]

Great story and luckily you were at that nice resort for day two.

[@JordanPulmano]

It definitely made my experience a little better haha. Thanks for watching!

[@angelsunlight]

Wow what an amazing story ❤ thanks for sharing with us

[@JordanPulmano]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching

[@johnjohnson3709]

Wealthy kids who are living like poor kids!! I love it!!

[@JordanPulmano]

Truly a wild concept right?! 😂

[@DANNYTHEFROG123]

😂. Mystery of missing villa keys solved

[@DawnKratzer]

Great vid! Sorry for the dumb question .. the wallpaper for the monitor (s) behind you ? It's rad ! Is there a link ?

[@blackprezmusic]

Damn! So they stole the Villa keys!

[@Eleven_11]

Wow crazy story thanks for sharing!

[@JordanPulmano]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching the video

[@XxSkye1xX]

yall were the ones that stole the keys! LMAO

[@victoriabryant3078]

That’s just insane, I kinda feel bad cause if the villas were available more people would’ve had shelter but honestly, FF should’ve never happened anyway

[@neworleans7166]

😂while,some people were laying out,on the beach ,and getting booty,and feeling great, picnicking,and having a great time through it all,so I'm told

[@stanmoroncini8825]

Omg what an insane story, I’ve watched both Hulu and Netflix docs multiple times.

[@tiaremaui]

Me too-great entertainment!

[@ks42555]

This is such a wild story, who knows if fyre fest 2 will be any different. probably not lol

[@allanfifield8256]

Lesson #1: Always pack some crackers.

[@austinbrady]

Insane story dude!

[@divinecommerce3912]

Billy McGrifter lacks the intelligence and work ethic to pull off an event of this magnitude. Picking the busiest week of the year in Bahamas was a huge mistake right from the beginning. He’s just the hype guy, with zero logistical or administrative skills. Lesson for entrepreneurs- know your weaknesses and get partners who compliment your skills 🔥🔥

[@drewcobert]

The camera gear situation 💀 I would’ve cried

[@BioTechEntertainment]

in another universe, Fyre Fest actually did happen with all of the promises that were made and more. It became the most successful music festival surpassing Coachella coming up on its 7th year. The Fyre app is a multi-billion dollar app and Magnesis has over 2 million customers. Billy McFarland became the entrepreneur of the century and Ja Rule was able to re-ignite his rap career.

[@mojojeinxs9960]

One thing I find comical is Woodstock 1969 those people would have been thrilled with tents and cheese sandwiches.

[@JordanPulmano]

Hahaha so true

[@neworleans7166]

😂yea' times were simple then, expectations are higher now,no cheese,steak or even bacon is expected

[@Sentient_Goose]

They also had world class legendary music acts at wood stock, and plenty of LSD. All of the music acts cancelled Fyre. There was literally nothing to do. And I'm pretty sure it was significantly more expensive than Woodstock.

[@leslie_lenz]

Woow must have been one h''ll of an experience. Great content bro.

[@JordanPulmano]

It was definitely a gig to remember! Haha thanks for watching!

[@leslie_lenz]

@@JordanPulmano Always a pleasure.

[@Prplpassions]

I remember seeing the videos and documentaries about the original. When I heard he was going to try this festival again, my first thought was wondering if it will be the same shit show as before.

[@enfortro]

Wow, definitely a story to tell.

[@JordanPulmano]

It sure is! It was worth the madness for sure haha. Thanks for watching!

[@jannyraynaud7437]

Hi, what is your wallpaper on TV ?

[@lukesdadway9178]

The more you know about this failure of event the more you realize that the ones responsible for this disaster didn't get enough punishment for what they did.

[@xghhddhfx8196]

Could have sold that stock footage for a fortune to news companies… I would like to film fye 2, I’m an event promoter and pro photographer I’ve got no problems sleeping on the beach during a storm, I’m from Florida lol

[@jigneshjhaveri]

You got lucky bro.

[@Shadow_foxx1]

Ok this is a cool story to have ❤️

[@johnnymahsrow7704]

I seen this on American Greed. Absolutely crazy.... all of it.

[@AnyoneCanSee]

He is selling tickets for Fyre 2, but I'm amazed that one of his creditors didn't take the rights to that name. It does have value. Merch value as well as the will eventually make a movie or TV show. I mean one with actors, not a documentary. They are talking about a musical, which is actually a good idea. It would make a great comedy even. I just don't see how he can still profit from the name when he had so much debt.

[@gaylegordon4092]

Where were you guys when the downpour happened? Were you still on the "cruise ship?"

[@jrjubach]

This story is crazy!!!

[@getsmarter5412]

Hey, I just realized we need a 25 year anniversary of Woodstock ‘99! Bring water, and matches!

[@sethhawken7375]

did you and your crew get paid?

[@jameslyddall]

I just find the fact there was a bus of "instragram influencers" funny as fuck

[@Pikopati]

Sounds like you should have one of those who stay on the island to tell the story and footage. I mean, cases of equipment and no footage?

[@JordanPulmano]

well you gotta remember we didn’t know how big of a thing this was. To us it was just a cancelled festival that was trending on Twitter so we didn’t really think to document it other than a few clips on our phones.

[@JordanPulmano]

Not to mention for the 2 who were stuck on the island, the cameras we had for this festival are not just point and shoot. They have to be built & setup and it’s not quite as easy to just have it on and rolling haha

[@sherbournesubwaymess]

This 'camera crew' story is the sort of crew I'd have fired on day 0. I get it that Jordan's focus was on the crew/gear...but a HISTORIC DISASTER was happening. He didn't think about taking a camera out and START SHOOTING?!??! Had he pulled the cameras out, started getting as much coverage as possible, INTERVIEWS, etc...he could have sold that footage to Netflix/Hulu/etc TEN TIMES what he would have gotten paid from this fest. He could have made his own doc! Nope. He was too busy 'chillin' and blabbing about being 'away' from a disaster which spawned multiple documentaries and worldwide attention. That's the problem with gearheads, their focus is on the 'safety' of the gear and they really couldn't care less about the subject matter. Any camera that you're too scared to risk breaking...is not a camera worth using/bringing with you.

[@JordanPulmano]

Woah, that’s crazy it’s almost like you weren’t there! Also, I was sent to the other island while the rest of the crew stayed on Exuma with all of the gear. I did not have the gear. Was also sitting on another island while all that went down. Without the camera gear. At a resort where no action was happening. So.

[@sherbournesubwaymess]

@@JordanPulmano "A photographer *eats* with his camera. A photographer *sleeps* with his camera." - Jimmy Olsen That was your choice, but ask anyone who works in news: You'll see what I mean. Once the shoot was canceled, it was all bets are off. That gear was yours to do with as you pleased. You could have called the other crew members with the gear on the Island to cover this event. Express to them that this is a major news event and there are no news crews covering it. Whatever they shoot is highly valuable. Get B-Roll, Get Interviews, GET THE STORY! Strip the gear down to the most basics: Camera, cards, batteries, sound and just start shooting. Meanwhile, you could have been moving heaven/earth to GET TO THAT ISLAND. No matter what, even if all what I had was a basic DSLR, I would have started covering the event, and getting an interview with Billy McFarland.

[@NesNyt]

Dope sick in the bahamas wooph

[@JustAllinOneResource]

Well, there is going to be a Fyre Festival 2.0 in 2024 so I guess he'll be hired to do the second one.

[@bipolartorecovery1485]

At least he had shelter

[@allanfifield8256]

5:31 " . . . we finally land" Well, in that old plane you would have landed one way or the other.

[@JordanPulmano]

Thank god it was the good way 😂

[@javierpuentes5831]

How do I get to shoot with you?

[@donfisherjr.2404]

Wow. It seems that Billy conned everyone connected with this idea of his with little more than his toothy smile and vague promises of awesome parties. Did you get paid or reimbursed for any of your time and expenses? I know that camera rentals aren't free and rental houses expect their gear back in a timely manner too.

[@JordanPulmano]

Yeah luckily we were hired by an agency who was hired by Fyre, so they paid for our time there which I thought was totally fair.

[@yandan7010]

TIL: Bingo ship = Ferry 🤣👍🏻

[@valmarsiglia]

I hope the crew stuck on the island had something to eat besides cheese sandwiches.

[@californiacomputerconsulta8159]

I hate to say this.... But the orginal part of Fry Festival... not the VIP AcessNY deal but he acytal festival... They really tried to make that happen. I dont hink it was a scam. they actually tried to make it happen with villas boats, busses and air[lanes, aiet not the best but they did try to make it happen. I dont know if it was a fraud, it just wasnt very good....

[@MrChuckyducky1]

I don’t understand what the reason the event was delayed for.

[@abisz7437]

😂

[@wakenow1]

What event? There wasn't an event, it was a cash grab... It's was never fully set up so people showed up to absolutely nothing!

[@nunyabz9494]

and the guy wants a 2nd one, maybe this time instead of a mini cruise ship, he upgrades it, or downgrades it even further LOL

[@svrfan]

he likes the word like in like every sentence 😀

[@JordanPulmano]

Hugeeee Like guy. Massive Like guy, even.

[@jacobpenkava2980]

As bad as your experience was still sounds like a pay vacation compared to some

[@JordanPulmano]

It was literally a paid vacation that’s what I tell people haha. Thanks for watching!

[@yummigummi4116]

16:55 Billy flying that plane?

[@anthonyseidita1809]

Fighting for their lives lol

[@maxwilson1253]

Did you still get paid??

[@JordanPulmano]

Thankfully I did haha. We were hired by an agency who was hired by Fyre. I don’t know the details but I assume they paid us out of pocket without being paid themselves…

[@YouTubeRanch]

Life is a bitch, learn and grow. Good for you.

[@JordanPulmano]

Exactly! This wasn’t the only time in my career that things didn’t go as planned. Just a part of the game haha. Thanks for watching!

[@YouTubeRanch]

@@JordanPulmano Certainly a story in your life that you will never forget and you learned from. Id say you earn lots. ;-)

[@Lootensansy2308]

There is only one big crazy l festival and that is tomorrowland you can't build something big thing like fyre. If there come a new fyre festival it wil fale to.

[@YeshuaAlberto]

Let’s talk to them if they have the story

[@expertbrian8314]

Dumpster Fyre

[@drywallpuncher1882]

I thought Billy was not allowed to work in the business sector because of Fyer.

[@SHVWNCOOPER]

oh man i can share you some nightmare festival stories for sure , but this was the biggest shit show i'm happy i was already booked and could NOT get involved with

[@shontoo6979]

Given all the news about this debacle on Twitter, did anyone on the team consider just filming anyway?

[@JordanPulmano]

My friend who was the one stuck on the island documented some stuff on his phone / Snapchat glasses which were the thing at the time. But they were a bit wrapped up in trying to get off the island with multiple cases of camera gear haha. Also, the camera gear we had out there was not the type that you can just pull out of the case and start filming in the situations they were in.

[@markwilliams3070]

There isn't going to be another one? Shut up. 😂

[@s0natagrl]

Too bad you didn't film anything that happened on your side. That's another documentary altogether

[@JordanPulmano]

My friend who was stuck definitely filmed some stuff but me and the others didn’t really capture our paid vacation on the resort when we got out 😂 It was one of those things though that we didn’t know the scale of what this would be when it was happening.

[@s0natagrl]

@@JordanPulmano I can imagine! And I'm glad you didn't go through what the festival attendees did.

[@Barry-Sweaty]

So…..are you going to be filming FF2?

[@JordanPulmano]

I don’t know if I’ll be at the next one. But if I do get the call, I don’t think I can say no 😂 that would be too good for content for this channel.

[@sjelliott6660]

Watch this at 1.5 speed.

[@JordanPulmano]

You know what, I can’t even hate on this recommendation hahaha.

[@ValeriaZaragoza692]

Wanna know how to make this video better? Say “camera gear” again.

[@JordanPulmano]

Coming out with a part 2 but it’s just 6 hours of me saying that like an old Mr Beast video.

[@madeleineqiex6327]

God help anyone who doesn't use FYRE FESTIVAL as purely a step-by-step 'What Not To Do For A Music Festival'

[@Mary1337]

Super cute dogs Wonder what the thought was at 13:07

[@JordanPulmano]

They were definitely thinking how I should be taking them to the park instead of filming a video 😂

[@freakctrlcgistudio2587]

Did you guys get paid?

[@freakctrlcgistudio2587]

I just saw your reply post to another. I never take a video production job unless I'm paid half upfront for this very reason.

[@JordanPulmano]

@@freakctrlcgistudio2587 yeah for direct to client jobs I do a 75 / 25 on the production budget, but unfortunately that doesn’t exist on the crew hire side of the industry. You sign a crew deal memo and it’s a net 30 payout on invoices. Or net 60 sometimes which is just annoying unless it’s a huge gig haha

[@ShawnShipstad]

I take it -this cost you money?

[@JordanPulmano]

I got paid by the agency that hired me for the time I was there (basically a paid vacation) but I have a feeling they paid everyone out of pocket without getting paid by Fyre…

[@henrypeters5719]

“Fighting for their lives” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Life of the privileged eh

[@JordanPulmano]

Lmao you know I gotta exaggerate a little for the story 😂

[@ThestuffthatSaralikes]

No matter how many versions and different people’s experiences (go-er vs. worker) I see; I STILL am amazed at the complete and total shit show this was.. And the AUDACITY of dude to try “Fyrefest 2.0”… 🤦‍♀️

[@grudge0132]

The crazy thing is everyone knows billy is a scammer but ppl are going to pay anyway just for content. In that case dnt cry arfter wen ur left wit a holy tent to sleep in and a piece of lettuce to eat

[@salvatrooch6537]

Hahahahaha comedy.

[@JordanPulmano]

Immediately read that in Mark Normands voice 😂

[@davidhutchinson5233]

With all that money they could have found a run down resort...done a slop job of rehabbing it and VIOLA, all problems solved. But the way they went about was like a 4th grader doing this event.

[@JordanPulmano]

Right?! It’s so crazy how this could have been one of the most iconic music festivals in recent years (for a good reason and not what it’s known for) I often think 7 years later what this experience could have been if it had gone right.

[@Mashmarriner69]

I was "hired" 😂

[@harryjones5260]

surely as a media pro you would have realised an advert is hardly ever a realistic representation.....if it seems too good to be true... et c.

[@sometimesoonfan]

I'm sorry but this is your fault, you didnt get paid?! why go?

[@JordanPulmano]

I got paid for the time I was there through the agency that hired us. As a contractor in video you typically do not get paid for atleast 30 days after a project so you sign a deal memo with the payment terms. you never go into a project with money in your pocket unless you are hired directly by the client and are acting as the production company or agency, in which you get a percentage up front. Hope that clears up the confusion haha

[@YeshuaAlberto]

You are a homogeneous

[@gearchallenge7555]

😴😴😴😴😴

[@gearchallenge7555]

You're part of a camera crew with crates of camera gear but you have no video and just narrate this with a few photos? 🤨