,It's not the best picture of the office, but it gets the job done ('cause it's an office, right?).
Well, here they are — the disclosed Emmys posts. I’m sorry that I have had to wait to post them, but with confidentiality and all, it was for the best.
This past week has been incredible. We moved our office from Beverly Blvd. to the Nokia Theater, and every day have been seeing new faces on site. Now, what started as 10 people has become dozens upon dozens, all working together for Sunday night.
Things have been absolutely crazy, and I’m happy to say that the status of “intern” and the idea that I’m supposed to be learning has borne me some wonderful privileges (some of which that, frankly, I don’t know if anyone else could pull off).
I started in production as basically a PA, and to some extent, I am still at that point. There were the basic lug-this, deliver-that duties, but being an intern and not being allowed to go on runs, I got to be in the office much more than anyone else.
Tuesday was by far the toughest day in the office. I spent the day outside, putting together seat filler boards. The boards are essentially cardboard pieces with 8 1/2 x 11″ headshots and names of the stars in the seats. They’re used for rehearsals, so the cameramen can put together angles and aren’t just shooting an empty seat. I wouldn’t complain if it weren’t for a few items of note. First, the materials. These boards aren’t on flimsy cardboard — they’re on the heaviest paper stock I have ever seen (or had to carry). It was a workout to lug those boards around! Second, the aerosol. I made enough boards to go through eight cans of aerosol glue. Let it be known that I was “feeling it” by about can three. If this wasn’t enough, as the day progressed, it became incredibly windy and 90+ degrees with no clouds. My hands were black by the end of it, and my fingers were throbbing. I slept ridiculously well that night and hoped that the rest of the week would be different.
Thankfully, it was. The next day, I met a very nice friend, Erick, who gave me the full tour of the Nokia. This would be incredibly useful (for obvious reasons), and would come to be the information that would give me a leg-up on a lot of the other folks vying for coveted daily tasks.
That day, I also joined the team that was working on pre-recorded material for the show. It was rehearsal day, and they needed a PA. So I was that PA. The rehearsal was for the opening number, and would essentially be a video to help teach the dance to the stars who would eventually be in it. The idea was, they would get an idea of their choreography through the video and come to the shoot prepared to lay it down quickly. With some of the cast not arriving until Sunday morning, it was of the utmost importance that they saw the video and knew what to do. The stand-ins were a bunch of young dancers, one of whom was from “So You Think You Can Dance” (Mark, Season 4). They were lively and fun, and knew what they were doing. Leading the troupe was Robin Antin — yes, the same Robin Antin that “created” and still “profits from” the Pussycat Dolls. She was a hoot. The dance looked great, and the scenes were shot. Day two, wrapped.
Jimmy rehearses his dance moves with choreographer Robin Antin.
Thursday started as a slow day, but would turn the corner on my experience at the Emmys. I started the day wondering what would happen, aimlessly wandering and trying to find a place I could be of some use. I ended up with two of my compatriots from our original ten at Mischer’s, and we put together the Producers’ tables in the house. Nothing too special, just laid down tablecloths, provided snacks and convenient trash cans. With little more to do, I ended up staying on hand at the Producers’ table for the rest of the day. I watched the show as it was rehearsed with stand-ins, met folks from NBC and the ATAS, and heard what really was going on, which was fantastic.
Friday, the day that shall be known as the day of the celeb encounters. The pre-taping began in the early afternoon, and I was hoping to be on the team again. I really liked the folks who were working on it — hearty folks who did things quickly yet efficiently, kindly but always with an edge that made me respect them and their work. These gentlemen don’t have “processes”, they get the job done. And well, at that. Plus, some of my favorite actors were going to be on set. So it became a win-win in my eyes.
I’ve always thought that being direct and honest will get you far, and I was not going to let this opportunity slip by because I was too meek. So, I walked up to the AD with whom I had the best rapport, and bluntly said that I wanted to work with him today. He seemed to approve and I thought I was set. Well, I ended up running trash at the producers’ table, which really was not a chore at all, but I was hoping to get back to that pre-tape. Very little was happening in the house that day, and I was starting to get bored. There really wasn’t a place for me, and I felt that it would be inappropriate to be skimming Facebook right next to the Academy representative. So I asked for a break, and took it. As I walked down from the table, I heard someone say, “Ooh, that’s me! That’s my seat!” I turn around. Hello, Lea Michele in a big hat and a poofy shirt that allows me to see bra straps in all of their lingerie goodness.
Me: “Yeah, I made that. Like it?”
Lea: “Love it. Do you know if I can pick up my tickets today?”
Me: “You know, I really don’t know about that. But I can try to find out for you if you would like.”
Lea: “Sure. Oh look! I’m with Chris, and Cory and Amber. And Jane’s here. Aww!”
Me: “Yup. Well, have a good pre-tape.”
Lea: “Thanks so much!”
Everyone laughing between takes. (not acting)
I met up with a friend from work, who was also going through a slow spot in her day, and we wrapped our two heads around the idea of being mischievous and taking pictures around the Nokia. We weren’t intrusive, but we went to the red carpet and by happenstance, walked in on the pre-taping. Four “Glee” kids and Jimmy Fallon, all there, working on the first scene. Although I could only stay for a mere few minutes, the majority of which was in-between takes, I did get a chance to snap this photo, which is one of my favorites of the whole week.
After a walk-around and a few photos taken, I ended up back at the Producers’ table, where I would stay for a few minutes before heading to lunch. Winding through the hall, I turned the corner on the production office, and BOOM! There was Jimmy Fallon and Cory Monteith. I couldn’t play it off as if it was nothing, they were right there. So, why not engage in conversation with them? I totally did. We spoke about the little nothings of the show and the pre-tape, and then I asked Jimmy what tactic I should use for The Price is Right. Bryan and I are going next week, and a friend of mine had dared me to ask Jimmy for advice, should I find myself in an appropriate situation to do so.
Jimmy: “Bid low.”
Cory: “Bid high.”
Jimmy: “No no no, be the guy who bids a dollar. Lean down to the mike, even if the sound guys have it perfectly set, and make sure it feeds back a really annoying screech. Then bid a dollar.”
The moment that I realized that Tina Fey was right there.
We laughed, I awkwardly left the conversation, and I searched for the granola bar that had instigated my trip to the production office. Upon receiving the desired sustenance, I turned to throw out the wrapper, and there she was. Tina Fey, in all of her tiny glory, was now chatting up Jimmy and Cory. But I had just spoken with them, it would be super-awkward to go back. Well, I figured I would not get this opportunity again anytime soon, and I would regret it if I didn’t say hello. So I turned to my trusty bluntness to handle the situation.
Me: “Hi, I thought I’d say hello. You’re my favorite actress. I’m Kat.”
Tina: “Hi! I’m Tina.”
Me: “Well, this is really unprofessional of me, but can I get a quick photo with you?”
Tina: “Oh my god, of course!”
... and then I grew a pair and just asked her for a photo.
Well, it wasn’t my most professional moment, but I had it. There was a bit more, but it’s not worth recapping here.
Immediately after that moment, I found myself on set for the pre-taping. It was my job to clear everyone out prior to the roll. So, that’s exactly what I did. I messed it up once, but generally, I was on my game. I even got to clear out Lorne Michaels when he arrived at the Nokia. He was pretty preoccupied with checking out the scenes and reading on his Blackberry, but seemed to be interested in what was going on.
Eventually, the pre-taping headed downstairs, where I was even more excited. Why? Because the Glee kids were done for the day, but joining us was…
Jane Lynch! Yup, Jane Lynch in all of her Sue Sylvester glory. I watched her throw slushie upon slushie on both Jimmy and Tina — and lemme tell you, she really did take those cold drinks and fling them. Red slush sticking everywhere. The final throw landed not on Tina’s shirt, but ALL over her neck and chest. As it dripped down to the floor and she shivered in chills, we stood near her feet, armed with towels. It even splashed back to Jane Lynch, to which she replied, “Well, it’s polyester. It’ll dry in the next 30 seconds!” She was incredibly nice. In-between takes, I found myself standing right next to her — it was just the two of us. We awkwardly make eye-contact (and yes, my celeb encounters can often be characterized as “awkward”), and I couldn’t help but take advantage of the opportunity.
Me: “Hi.”
Jane: “Hey there.”
Me: “Holding up alright?”
Jane: “I think so. Those were decent throws, right?”
Me: “Oh totally. [BEAT] So good to work with you. Best in Show is such a classic, you were great.”
Jane: *grabs and squeezes my arm* “Thank you! Chris’ stuff really holds up over time, doesn’t it.”
Me: “Oh yeah.”
And then we just kinda went back to what we were doing. It was pretty sweet. For the rest of that evening, I cleaned red slush from Tina, Jimmy and Jane’s shoes as they stood there dripping, totally not knowing that the kid cleaning their shoes is reaching for far more glamorous work. (That’s right! I’ma be mayor! And I’m going to clean up this town!/Good, you can start by cleaning the floor.)
So, Friday was amazing. Unfortunately, I had class scheduled for Saturday, and I had been MIA all week during orientation, so it was kind of important that I be there. So I sucked it up and went, all the while wanting to jump up and head back to check on rehearsals. When 5:30 rolled around, I was out the door so fast! And by 6, I was back at it, ready for our evening rehearsal. It slugged through painfully, but hopefully, the details will all come together. As I sat there at the Producers’ table looking on, someone came up and sat right next to me, leans over and says in a lisp “How ‘ya doin’?” — it was John Shaffner, president/CEO of the ATAS. Kind of a big deal. This is the man who is in charge of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, among his “day job,” which includes dreaming up glam sets and putting together top-notch art direction. This man created some of the most iconic sets of the past decades, including the sets from Friends. So, no pressure. We chatted about various items, he commented on which shows should win and which few he really didn’t understand. I complimented the work of others and smiled nicely, trying to contribute to the conversation in a fashionable manner. It was a good surprise. As I left that night, I told Jimmy to “knock ‘em dead,” to which he uttered his friendly “thank you so much!” and squeezed my hand. Jane Lynch and I exchanged “have a good night”s, which still leaves me with goosebumps.
So here we are. As I finish writing this, it’s show day. I know I’m going to flash through tonight on the bottom of NBC, a major network — and I can’t believe it. I hope everything comes together just the way it is planned. For that matter, I may have been too close to the action to lose all sense of things, but I believe this is an amazing production. For all of us that have worked so hard on it, I encourage you to check it out tonight. It’s going to be a good night.
That said, I’m off for what will certainly be an amazing day.
,
