A Long Time Coming

The title of this entry has less to do with what's going on in my life and more to do with the fact that this entry has been a long time coming. I'm getting to that first wall in blog-writing. The initial luster of writing a blog about a new chapter in one's life is starting to wear because, to be honest, this chapter doesn't feel so new anymore. There haven't been too many new improvements on the apartment—though I did have a house warming party. That was actually very fun, because a) I learned how to cook a bunch of things, 2) I've conquered the fear of having people over, and d) having people over reminded me how awesome our apartment is. The wow factor was back!

Job-wise, I've still been putting in days on "Premium Rush," though this week marked the end of their shooting action scenes so they don't really need additional PAs anymore. I had a bit of a close call on Thursday. At the end of the day, the Key PA asked if I wanted to work Friday. I'm pretty sure I have something to do tomorrow, I thought. But I can't remember what it is and I've been living and breathing Premium Rush all week, so...

"Sure," I said.

As soon as I got home, I suddenly realized that I had made arrangements to go into the production office for "The Sitter" on Friday. I texted the Key, "Hey I feel really terrible about this but I just realized I had made an arrangement to visit the production office of my first DGA assignment. I can help find a replacement if you want." I was kind of expecting him to say, "I'll just hire someone I know and trust." Instead, nothing. So I figured I better deliver on a replacement. Only problem is, I don't know anyone who's been a PA before. But I called up a friend, who I had recently met up with for coffee to discuss the film industry. She had a genuine interest in film, but no real gateway to the biz. I texted the Key, "I found someone. She's never worked on Premium Rush before, but she's a go-getter." "Book her," was his response. Phew. As it turned out, she had a great time working on the movie. Of course, how could you not have a great time when you're shooting in Central Park. It's like touristing and working, wrapped into one.

With my "day off," I went into the office for "The Sitter." It was in a very inconspicuous building, in an even more inconspicuous office. But when I got there, everyone was very nice and welcoming. They knew who I was and got me some crew information paperwork to start filling out. I was then led into the office of the 2nd AD, who couldn't have been nicer. There was still a lot to be done, so she didn't give me too many specifics, but it was definitely comforting to put a face with a name and get a better idea of who I'll be working with. She said the 1st AD was in a scheduling meeting with the producers and that I probably wouldn't get to meet him, but sure enough, the meeting let out and I met the 1st AD, the Line Producer, and one of the Producers. The 1st AD actually introduced me to the Line Producer, saying, "Harvard meet Cornell." "Oh, when'd you get out of there?" the Big Red LP asked. "May," I replied. "Oh! Well, welcome!" Then he introduced me to the producer, "Harvard meet Dartmouth." It felt a little awkward, but it was cool to see other Ivy Leaguers with obviously very successful careers in the film industry—outside of the typical writer/agent mold.

I met up with a couple of friends, one of whom was the girl who I "booked" for Premium Rush, and we strolled along Madison Avenue for the kick-off to Fashion Week. All the ritzy stores were open late, serving complimentary champagne (and one place had bourbon-filled chocolate truffles, very fancy). Even looked very, for lack of a better word, fashionable. I actually texted my friend who orchestrated the whole thing, "What's the attire?" "It's a mix, but safe bet would be no jeans or sneakers." I looked down; jeans and sneakers. So I made a quick change, scraping together the only decent clothes I have. It's tough when you work in an industry where you can wear shorts and a t-shirt to work. The high point of the evening was seeing Serena Williams at the David Yurman store.

Saturday, I went to a PA/AD party—ended up being more production assistants than actual assistant directors, but still very fun. There were a lot of Premium Rush people. I started to talking to a group of them and they said, "Oh, you're [name redacted]'s friend." Wait, what? She's my friend! Only one day on the job and she already had more friends than I did. But it pleased me to feel like I had helped someone "break in."

From that party, I went to the Ainsworth, a bar in Chelsea, to watch the Alabama-Penn State game with probably two- or three-hundred other Alabama fans. Apparently the Alabama alumni in New York (UANY) group organizes watch parties every Saturday, so I figured this was as good a game as any to check it out. The game ended up being a wash, but the crowd was great and I met a lot of nice people, including the guy who I sat next to at the National Championship Game last year.

I'm heading home tomorrow to get one last good dose of R&R and quality lake time before I start working ridiculous hours nonstop till December.