Forgive me, I’ve ignored this blog for far too long. You see, I got a job. A ten hour-a-day, five day-a-week job. Steady income! I officially graduated from a couch, to a studio with an air mattress, to a studio with a bed! Exciting, I know.
So let me tell you about the company I’ve been with for the past nine months…
GARTNER is a tv commercial production company. We have three executive producers, 3 sales reps, and an in-house staff of six people. (Accounting, Coordinating, HR, Vault, and moi (office assistant extroardinaire). We support a nine man roster of directors and their merry freelance crews. (side note…where are the women?!) It’s been interesting to see the inner workings of the commercial process from essentially begging ad agencies for leads (I could never be a rep) to honing director reels to fit a mold applicable for the bid, to watching the EP’s weasel numbers down to obtain the bid, and then finally hearing the shouts throughout the office when the bid is awarded.
My favorite part is the activity in the office during pre-production. I get to see the coordinators come in, spread out, and begin planning the who, where, what, and when. Soon after, the office is filled with art direction teams and scouting teams. Wardrobe comes in and the actors are so beady-eyed to try on clothes for the director and agency. They spin, they turn, they smile. I watch as they’re asked to try on black shirt number one, then black shirt number two. Hmmm…maybe we should go to back to black shirt number one, but let’s add a scarf. It’s interesting to me how serious these sessions get over black shirt hues.
Next up, my favorite topic when describing my job! My interaction with PAs! Now, I’m essentially a PA with a steady paycheck, but if I were to be a PA for a day there are a few things I’ve learned here and would take with me. A. Smile, even if you don’t want to. Love it or not, this industry is about people pleasing. B. If you don’t know something, ASK…don’t guess. Taking other people’s supplies and breaking copiers will only make people not like you. C. DON’T hit on other freelancers, employees, or vendors…word gets around. D. People are ridiculously and absurdly insane about their lunch orders. Get it right. It saves you the headache later. anddddd. E. KNOW HOW TO MAKE COFFEE. No, it’s not a magic coffee pot. Yes, you do have to put grounds and water in it. Yes, make sure the pot is always full.
All in all, I’m very thankful that I found this position when I did. I was very close to packing up and heading back to Ohio. I’ve had so many experiences in the past nine months here, it’s hard to share them all, but I’m determined to start this blog back up and hopefully create more opportunity for myself to expand beyond the 8-6 office job.
Side Note/ Side Perks
Our office lends some space to an “old” Hollywood film producer/casting/production office. Although, I only forward calls to this office and mingle with their interns, it has afforded me some run-ins with people I’d otherwise never have the opportunity to meet. My jaw dropped when Francis Ford Coppola walked in. The jaw completely unhinged when during awkward silence, he leaned over for small talk while he waited for his car. I had to keep myself from saying “he slimed me” or “it’s in the hole!” to Bill Murray during his phone tag instances with the producer. There has also been a handful of young Hollywood female talent in and out; all petite and glowing with enthusiasm for their meetings. For these instances, I am thankful. It creates a little spark, reminding me there is more beyond the reception desk.
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