In my world "PC" doesn't stand for politically correct or personal computer - it means petty cash or production coordinator. Production coordinators are a key member of the "production team" - which also includes production assistants, production managers, and line producers. These guys (and gals) handle money and logistics.
Production coordinating isn't a job I've ever been too interested in doing - the hours are long, the position isn't creative, and members of the production team often look stressed. But, when I got offered a production coordinator gig on a Nike project, of course I said yes! Especially after a slow start to 2016.
The gig lasted one week - Monday through Saturday. I was scheduled for 10 hour days but managed to log about 25 hours of unpaid overtime. And I wasn't even putting in the most hours - though I suspect I'd land somewhere around second place.
Though the week was insanely stressful I learned a ton! I pulled permits, got approval to shoot in city parks, created call sheets, re-edited call sheets, improved my basic excel skills, created schedules, wrote interview questions, and scouted locations. Thankfully my producer (who was taking on tasks of both producers and production) was awesome to work for. She bared with me as I stumbled through tasks, trying my best, and putting more energy into this than anything before in my life.
The payoff came when I finally got to step foot on set - my favorite part of any job.
Day 1 was jam packed traveling to three elementary schools throughout Los Angeles - interviewing coaches and students who participate in a popular after/before school running program. Interviews and b-roll were squeezed into time-restricted schedules. Our time window included about 30 minutes before school, during lunch breaks, or after school. Everyone was flexible and everyone worked together - talent helped accommodate last minute interview space changes, producers pulled of some great interviews, and camera operators composed beautiful shots.
Day 2 started out hectic. We planned to film a downtown event but that was axed about 10 hours before crew call. The team stood by as producers pulled an all-nighter coming up with plan B. At 10AM I got the "go" that everyone needed to be in Culver City by 11. I updated the call sheet, sent out urgent texts, and raced to Culver. I wasn't able to be involved in much more than office work on my last day but was thankful to have time to sit down and get everything done.
On my drive home Saturday evening the cloudy skies started to lift, which highlighted the mountain ranges. Everything was grey but everything was beautiful. I always love LA after the rain - the humidity leaves as quickly as it came, the smog clears out, and the sky compliments the perfect landscape. My heart rate started decreasing for the first time since Monday. I could finally enjoy the fact that the week was over and realize the fun moments that managed to pop through. I was reminded of how much I love Los Angeles.
Production coordinating isn't a job I've ever been too interested in doing - the hours are long, the position isn't creative, and members of the production team often look stressed. But, when I got offered a production coordinator gig on a Nike project, of course I said yes! Especially after a slow start to 2016.
The gig lasted one week - Monday through Saturday. I was scheduled for 10 hour days but managed to log about 25 hours of unpaid overtime. And I wasn't even putting in the most hours - though I suspect I'd land somewhere around second place.
Though the week was insanely stressful I learned a ton! I pulled permits, got approval to shoot in city parks, created call sheets, re-edited call sheets, improved my basic excel skills, created schedules, wrote interview questions, and scouted locations. Thankfully my producer (who was taking on tasks of both producers and production) was awesome to work for. She bared with me as I stumbled through tasks, trying my best, and putting more energy into this than anything before in my life.
The payoff came when I finally got to step foot on set - my favorite part of any job.
Day 1 was jam packed traveling to three elementary schools throughout Los Angeles - interviewing coaches and students who participate in a popular after/before school running program. Interviews and b-roll were squeezed into time-restricted schedules. Our time window included about 30 minutes before school, during lunch breaks, or after school. Everyone was flexible and everyone worked together - talent helped accommodate last minute interview space changes, producers pulled of some great interviews, and camera operators composed beautiful shots.
Day 2 started out hectic. We planned to film a downtown event but that was axed about 10 hours before crew call. The team stood by as producers pulled an all-nighter coming up with plan B. At 10AM I got the "go" that everyone needed to be in Culver City by 11. I updated the call sheet, sent out urgent texts, and raced to Culver. I wasn't able to be involved in much more than office work on my last day but was thankful to have time to sit down and get everything done.
On my drive home Saturday evening the cloudy skies started to lift, which highlighted the mountain ranges. Everything was grey but everything was beautiful. I always love LA after the rain - the humidity leaves as quickly as it came, the smog clears out, and the sky compliments the perfect landscape. My heart rate started decreasing for the first time since Monday. I could finally enjoy the fact that the week was over and realize the fun moments that managed to pop through. I was reminded of how much I love Los Angeles.