Hi again!
Hi!!
Ugh, wouldn’t it be amazing if I hadn’t sent a newsletter since February because I was off the grid filming Survivor? That wasn’t why, although if I were on Survivor I’d have to lie and say I wasn’t… so maybe…
No, I’ve just been busybusybusy with the writer’s assistant job I got in December. I wish I could tell you what show I’m working on, but I probably can’t announce that on the internet until 2023. Booooo – I want to dish now! I have so much to tell you! We’re almost done filming and the things I’ve seen… girl…
It probably doesn’t violate my NDA if I give you some broad clues about the show, right? Clue #1: It’s about the time of day before noon. Clue #2: The lead actresses are Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. Shit, was that not vague enough? Jk jk, I didn’t compete on Survivor and I’m not working on season three of The Morning Show. I’m working on season [redacted] of The [redacted redacted redacted], a show that I [redacted redacted redacted redacted] before working on it but am [redacted redacted] now. Also, [redacted redacted redacted; redacted redacted-redacted redacted? redacted].
Alright, Gayle, enough. What can I safely say? I can talk about my feelings, which are almost entirely sappy. I went 18 months between WA gigs, and it is a JOY to be doing what I love again. :’) And I do love this job, even when I have to wake up at 3:45 AM to drive to location (it was a one-time thing, but still, oof). I’ve been trusted with a lot of responsibility, and I’m really proud of how I’ve risen to the occasion. To gently toot my own horn, I am good at my job! I feel fulfilled and valued and like I have a future in what I’m doing. I’m laughing my ass off during takes, which is a sign I’m having fun but also a problem for sound. I work 12ish hours, go home, go to sleep, and dream about the show.
It is genuinely disorienting to feel like I’m Doing Well Career-Wise™ after many, many moons of that Not Being My Truth®. Will my current good fortune last? I feel like Johnny in Dirty Dancing when he tells Baby, “Last month I'm eating Jujubes to keep alive. This month, women are stuffing diamonds in my pockets. I'm balancing on shit and, quick as that, I can be down there again.” We wrap in two weeks and I don’t know what’s next — will I keep the job momentum going or will it screech to a halt? (Or will Survivor casting finally reach out??) Right now I’m feeling pretty chill and optimistic, but obviously knock on the most wood possible.
LESSONS FROM THIS SET
The best way to watch TV is to make it.
The best way to commute to work is to live 5 minutes away.
COVID tests are better for everyone involved if you close your eyes.
Being defensive is unproductive.
Being an AD is an impossible game to win.
There’s a difference between letting yourself enjoy craft services and making yourself sick on candy at work.
There are two kinds of people: those who print and those who email “please print” instead of hitting print.
Hoard the supplies you need.
Wear a hat.
MISCELLANY
All the cool guys on the crew are decked out in cargo army pants/Carhartt everything/tattoo sleeves, so obviously now I want cargo army pants/Carhartt everything/tattoo sleeves.
I often find myself mumbling, “Film! Adventure, tedium, no family, boring locations, dark rooms, perfect faces, egos, money, Hollywood, and sleaze.”
Am I using set lingo even when it’s unnecessary? 100%. Copy, on the day, village, 10-1.
Walkie Talkie – what a silly name!
This generic artwork in our production office is depicting 9/11, right? What else could it be?
UNRELATED
I can’t stop thinking about the Uber driver who had a Sade concert DVD playing on his car’s TV screen and started it from the top when we got in. Does he restart it for each new passenger? Does he ever switch DVDs, or is my man listening to “Smooth Operator” 800 times a week? He also pulled over without warning to pee in a parking lot (broad daylight).
Talk soon! XO
