The title is a bit misleading because that’s sort of the story I told yesterday – how I got my first job in TV production (which was America’s Got Talent).
But, that was a 2-day gig. How did I actually get in-in with the show? Well, that’s what today’s about.
So, that weekend audition I worked on… There were various different stations to which you might be assigned.
You could be putting wristbands on people in line, working in the production office, doing registration, or many more options.
I ended up being put as the note-taker for one of the more senior producers on the show. I sat next to her for the day(s), and kept detailed notes quickly. We got along great.
I happened to be on my lunch break when a staff member announced that if any of us were interested in working in New York City (since it’s our neighbor), we could talk to her. I ran up there to try and get a spot. As she was saying she maybe might be able to find a job for me, my weekend boss happened to walk by the table and overheard us. When she heard I wanted to work again, she said, “Keep her.”
Those two little words – “keep her” – started my career.
I was so in the right place at the right time. From seeing the Craigslist post at the right time, to a production coordinator taking a chance on a newb, to being assigned to a room with person who had a lot of weight with the show – then just so happening to be by the production table at the exact same time she passed – it’s sort of amazing how it all worked together.
So, the following week, I went to New York. They didn’t actually pay for travel or accommodations for any of us lowly PAs. But, I knew people in New York. I actually stayed with my old roommate. Plus, it only cost $20 to take the bus from Boston.
So, my expenses were minimal. Thankfully, we worked a whole lot of hours. On the road, you usually make tons of overtime on AGT (which you basically never do during the live shows).
New York actually had a callback round during the week which was taped for television. I was invited to work on that as well. There, I found another woman on the show (the script supervisor) with whom I got along brilliantly. I went on to work with her many times over the course of the next couple of seasons.
(New York week happened to fall during my spring break which made it all that much more wonderful since I didn’t miss any classes.)
After New York came a somewhat big decision. Because of the higher-up women pushing for me and welcoming me with open arms, I was invited to come along to the next city, which I believe was in Florida (Miami, maybe?) if I remember correctly. But, because of the budget of the show and my position in it, I’d have to pay my own way.
Remember, at the time, I was in college. All the income I gained from working was sort of bonus money to help with things not covered by money I’d gotten for school. This was one time in my life when, if I could just break even, it’d be worth it since I didn’t have to worry about rent and such.
I’d met PAs who’d paid their own way the previous season and then got moved up to a staff position. So, I knew it could happen. Of course, it wasn’t guaranteed. But I felt it was worth a shot. So, I bought a ticket to Florida.
And this is where I’ll pick up tomorrow.