I'm a Techie!

Complete w/ markers and erasers in my pockets, rolls of multi-colored tape attached to my belt loop and a slate in hand, I was the ultimate film techie today; my first day on the set of House of Black Wings. There's a lot to talk about, and I know my avid readers of 0 are anxious to hear, or rather read, about my new adventures. Several things of note...

(1) I did more than my share of techie work while earning my theatre degree in college. I don't think I was bad at it, but it was never my first priority for downtime or for classtime. I made it through all of that wackiness, and am all the better for it (aside from the complete and utter horror I endured at the hands of the technical theatre director). I appreciate what I learned and wouldn't give it up for anything, but to return to a position behind the scenes or behind the camera? Hmmm.

(2) I don't necessarily think that acting in film is the easiest thing ever, but it might be easier than working a job off camera. My minimal experience in front of the camera involves a lot of waiting around; and then having to produce certain emotions at the drop of hat. I believe that can be exhausting. To be on the other side of it today; was proof that it is equally, perhaps more so, tiresome to work as a lackey on a film. Setting things up, and taking them down; while the actors sit and wait. Using your brain in a more problem-solving manner, rather than prepping it for maximum emoting. Standing almost all day long, while the actors sit waiting, or sit while they film (at least part of the time).

(3) I came home after one day; perhaps 7 hours (w/ lunch break) of being a film techie, and I was pooped.

(4) I don't know if I offered much to the production as "the slate girl" (I requested that the director list me as such in the credits). But, it was fun. I also don't know how much I learned either. I guess time will tell. At any rate, I can log in some behind the camera experience. That's good.

(5) I found it interesting to see how I was treated as "tech" rather than "talent". Not much different, but I was left wondering if the actors we were working with today; if they didn't know I was also part of the cast, if they would have talked to me differently. They all saw me @ the readthrough, so they knew I was an actor. It could be an interesting experiment; to see how actors treat other actors and how they treat the folks working behind the scenes. You know there's a difference. I saw it in my 4 years of college theatre. I'm sure I had my share of diva behavior back then; and probably will pull some of that guff in the future. I think it's inevitable. However, I don't think I ever mistreated a "techie", but perhaps didn't include them as much as I should have.

(6) From the other side; I see other things. These many upcoming weekends as a "techie" could prove to be beneficial, but in so many other ways that I would not have anticipated. Appreciation and gratitude for the hard work that I probably have taken for granted.

But, for all of this education, I know I'm an actor first, perhaps a techie second. Can't I be both?