Magic on a soundstage

In an earlier post, I promised a series of posts on horrible notes some of us have gotten throughout our careers. I’ve since come to a realization: as entertaining as some of those stories may be, it’s not ultimately an uplifting, positive thing to keep rehashing things that have annoyed us in the past. So instead, I’m choosing to share some thoughts about what I love about Hollywood.

I was talking today with a friend about tourists’ perceptions of the Classic Hollywood Glamour. They drive down Melrose Avenue past the wrought iron gates of Paramount Pictures and say “ooh, that’s where the magic happens!” Which, in certain ways, is true. Once you get to the place where the security guards recognize you and checking your ID is only a formality, you see what’s actually taking place inside this massive complex of offices, alleyways, and soundstages. You see certain stages with guards stationed outside locked doors with flashing red lights above signs that say “Closed Set – No Admittance”, and think “Wow, I wonder what’s shooting in there.”

Then one day you’re on one of those stages, and you see exactly what’s happening – a whole subculture of people working away, day to day, doing their thing, doing their jobs. Instead of stocking shelves at a shoe store, someone’s organizing racks of clothes in the wardrobe department. Instead of the foreman overseeing a crew on a construction site, the director of photography oversees the gaffers and electricians as they light the next scene.

All those people are going about their everyday lives, working for a paycheck. Sometimes that’s all it ever is, a paycheck. But sometimes, all the myriad people and elements required to produce a TV show or film come together in that one perfect moment.

When that moment reveals itself, you stand there on that stage in awe of what you’re witnessing. You can hear a pin drop, people scarcely daring to breathe.

Sometimes it seems time literally stands still. Everyone on that set witnesses a miracle, the closest thing to magic many of us will ever see. It’s the kind of experience that people remember for years, sometimes the rest of their lives.

And that’s the moment when everyone who witnessed it realizes, “Yes. This is why I love what I do. This is why storytelling is so life-changing. This is why I love Hollywood.”

That’s what we want to bring to you. Editmentor is all about taking the power of Hollywood storytelling and empowering YOU to learn it and share it with others, wherever you may happen to be.

And, speaking for all of us in the Editmentor circle of professionals and friends, we’re really glad you’re here.

Jeff

ps – We’d love to stay in touch with you. If you haven’t already, go to www.editmentor.com, sign up for our mailing list, and stay tuned for all the amazing things on the way.

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