Pushing a Broom can Jump Start Your Career
That may sound like a weird title for career in the entertainment production industry so let me unpack it a little more.
A few weeks ago, my team and three other vendors were renovating a broadcast studio. Most of the folks working this gig had dozens of years of experience in the biz. Some of us had decades. Among these talented folks was a single individual working with my team who had little to no experience in this environment.
He had come on board as an “intermittent intern” meaning he was still in school (sophomore at a university). His school schedule only allowed him a day here and there to work with us.
He is also not a Com’s student. He is a Business major. But his passion is production. Passion has always been my “go to” when considering a new hire.
Identifying true passion is a tricky business. Here’s what I’ve found to be the most common behavior of entry level people after they’ve been able to convince me that creative production is their dream.
The Sales Person
Many people have the “gift of gab”, as my mom used to call it. We all know at least one person who possesses this trait. They can talk the stripes off a tiger (as my buddy from Nashville would say). They can easily convince you about how much they love the creative process. They talk about how they would love to do what you do regardless of the time or effort it would take.
Then after you give them a chance their passion to learn becomes a passion to hang with the crew and distract everyone. Their real passion is talking and telling stories.
The Glory Hound
Then there are others whose passion to learn becomes their passion to only want to do the glory jobs. They position themselves next to a high-profile pro and relentlessly try to help, ask non stop questions and try to become best friends.
When you give them another task they tell you they can’t because they are helping the person they have become attached too, even when that pro says, “no that’s cool I got this you should go “help” someone else”.
The Invisible Person
Finally, there is the introvert. Give them a simple assignment, that they say they can handle, and an hour later they’ve made no progress and are sitting in a corner staring at their phone. Turns out they had no idea what you were asking and have been trying to learn via You Tube. When you question why you didn’t you just ask one of us, they sheepishly tell you they didn’t want to bother anyone.
If you think I’m exaggerating or making these personalities up you’ve either not been in the business that long or have stumbled on a gold mine of awesome newbies. If the latter is true please share. haha
The Potential
But every once in a while, you find someone who actually wants to learn, is willing to do what it takes to learn and is appreciative and understands the value of just being granted access to the inner circle.
The person I mentioned in the beginning of this article might just be one of these.
Why do I think that?
Because he was in an environment of all high-end pros. He was willing to do whatever was asked of him. From holding a ladder for the grip, carrying set pieces from the truck, being taught how to pull focus on a camera, jumping from assignment to assignment without a lot of conversation, he made sure to ask when he didn’t know something and checked back to ensure he had done it correctly.
Even though the behaviors of, The Potential, may seem like normal basic behaviors you’d be surprised that most newbies don’t possess or know how to execute those behaviors.
Maybe it’s the fact that our work environment is usually casual and leadership direction may seem more of a suggestion than a directive.
Maybe because most crew professionals are usually approachable (until they are not- haha) and willing to share their knowledge with someone who they believe cares.
Whatever the reason you need to know pros are always watching. They are constantly evaluating the behavior of the “new” person, sizing them up and trying to get a handle on which of the four personalities they are:
- The Salesperson
- The Glory Hound
- The Invisible Person
- The Potential
People are always watching. Don’t just stand around. Ask people if they need help.
If no one needs help pick up a broom and sweep.
If you do whatever is needed whenever it’s needed, someone will recognize your heart. That trait can’t be faked and that’s the trait most professionals look for when bringing someone into the inner circle.
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