I've been working in television for nearly five years now, but really only the last year since I moved to Sydney counts. I don't know how interested anyone is in that but I thought it might be fun to share some random things about the many different jobs I've had in the industry over the past few years.
- Sometimes you will be required to drive around a production vehicle that is worth four times your annual salary because the show is sponsored by a luxury car brand.
- Being in the back of shot is a constant hazard and hindrance to your every day duties.
- There are people who have to watch all of the footage shot for a reality show, documentary, lifestyle show, etc (way more than ends up in a show) and type out every single thing that is said on tape. Yes, I have been one of those people on many occasions and, yes, my typing speed is pretty impressive.
- People in hospitality, retail, government, etc are generally not impressed that you need 'insert crazy request' for 'insert unspecified celebrity'…until their curiosity takes over and they start to ask you a million questions. It is a good idea to avoid wearing television show branded clothing so as not to encourage getting hassled by the general public!
- One day you may get to meet someone you grew up watching on TV and as much as you don't care, the kid in you still cares a little bit!
- You almost never know what is going to happen after your current job finishes. And even if you do know, you're never entirely sure until the day before you start.
- Every shoot day has a callsheet with all the details of the day and the schedule of what will be shot when and who needs to arrive where, when. They can be pages and pages long. All crew generally look at is where they have to get to at the beginning of the day. The first thing they ask on location is, 'when's lunch?' and 'what time do we wrap?'
- Life sometimes feels like one big reality television show. When things happen, the instant thought of 'oh that's good TV' is almost inevitable.
- You may be so tired you don't remember your own address, but you can remember the coffee orders of the entire cast and crew.
- Sometimes you get up before the sun comes up. Sometimes you are still working when the sun goes down. Sometimes this will all occur in one shift.
- You never, ever think someone is joking when they ask you to do something – as ridiculous as the request may sound – because there is a pretty good chance that they aren't joking.
- Wrap parties are the whole point of working on a show in the first place. It's the one chance for people to see you with brushed hair and wearing something other than jeans and boots!
- Every location is an opportunity for a photo shoot with fellow crew members:
