I kept a journal when I first interned in the Camera Dept. and I jotted these pointers as a reminder for myself:
1. Never admit that you can?t do it. If you don?t know how, sneak your way over to someone who does and have them give you a brief set of instructions. If you don?t have that person around, make a careful, educated guess. If you?re afraid of looking silly, remember that this was an opportunity to learn something new and tomorrow is another day to gain those brownie points you lost.
2. Your way up the ladder relies both on luck and talent.
3. Don?t stress about the ones that are on set for the adrenaline rush. If they?re not truly serious, they will eventually be weeded out by the system.
4. Don?t sweat the small stuff. If you messed up one day, tomorrow you can make it right.
5. Less is more. The simpler your decision, the more room you?ll have to focus on important details.
6. Don?t be cheeky. If you?re good at the job, shut your trap and do it with the same amount of effort everyday. Over time, they will appreciate you for it and rely on you more. No one likes a know-it-all.
7. Gossiping is a No-No! Do not engage in this dirt-spreading activity. Off set, have as many friends as you like, but on set, don?t treat it like it?s college. Tens of thousands of dollars are invested into making this film work daily and it should be handled professionally. Besides, it?s rude.
8. Go ahead, party. On the night before your day off. Just make sure there?s no evidence the Production Assistants could blackmail you with on Monday.
9. Last, but not least, Confidence is your best friend. If you are sure of yourself and make prudent choices, you?ll manage to make it through the months of production. If you?re not confident, it will show though and make the people you work with less confident in you.
Hope you're well,
D.M.