Assistant Director

So I’ve taken my fair share of beatings this summer. And if I missed on the movie I was up for, I really would have taken a long walk off a short pier. Right now there’s 3 movies, 2 TV shows and a handful of commercials all going on. I was set to be on none of them. 0. So…. that really sucked and was a bit of a dent. Its not without trying, just more of the AD department was brought from out of town. So you cant really fight that, and most Coordinators or PM’s just consider themselves lucky to have the job so they dont reason that having a 1st AD who actually knows where they’re going, or a 2nd AD who knows what locations really or where, is a good thing.

So I didn’t walk into this interview with a lot of confidence, and true to form, the Director wanted someone from LA, the 1st wants his guy from LA, and the 2nd is more thank likely going to be from out of town. Because apparently I’ve never done a callsheet this size before… or multiple times… on higher budget shows than this.

But I digress.

After the interview was a stupidly long wait to hear back about the job, in which the 1st was negotiating getting his person on, and the PM was trying to see if 2nd 2nd was something that could be taken off the budget. All the meanwhile, just a lot of quiet happening on my end of the phone (Yes, everyone struggles guys. Take heart in that.) So finally, day of the decision, I get very fed up and just simply write the first saying “Hi. When do I start?” Next email back? “Oh, um Monday.”

I know a lot of people will tell you for interviews, don’t act like you have the job. I think that’s bullshit. Don’t be an asshole, but if you want it, that job is yours. Own it, own your experience, prove why you’re the one he wants to hire and personally, I think sending a follow up thank you email at the end of the day is pretty classy. Dont ask when they’re making the decision in the email, that can be done in the interview. Simply state, Thank you for their time, and you look forward to working with them on this project. Not “I hope.” or “Maybe we can…” Its your job, own it.

Maybe, if Val can get off her high Producing horse for 2 different LARGE networks, I can get her to say hello to you. I dunno though, she is acting in two movies this summer, and possibly some auditions for two TV shows.

Yeah. She’s taking over the world. Confidence folks. Its a winner.